What Careers Can I Get with A Degree in Political Science

Summary:

From paralegal and lawyer to judge and senator, a political science degree can be the starting gate for a wealth of professions. This article will explore various occupations and discuss how high school students can pursue online studies to prepare for a future in this dynamic field.

Key Points:

• Study U.S. politics online with many renowned universities while in high school.
• Earn college credit for some courses.
• Learn what political scientists do.
• Explore the best entry-level jobs and what each does.

Are all politicians political scientists? No, in fact, many were lawyers, some came from the private sector, some were teachers, and others worked for political think tanks. You may be surprised to learn about the numerous job opportunities available to individuals with a degree in political science. 

First, let’s answer the question: What is a political scientist? According to Wikipedia, “Political science is a social study concerning the allocation and transfer of power in decision making, the roles and systems of governance, including governments and international organizations, political behaviour, and public policies.” Prelum partner school, Georgetown University, addresses the role of political science with their pre-college online course, U.S. Politics and Government: To Form a More Perfect Union. The course, designed for motivated teens, further answers questions such as:

• Will our government maintain democratic principles?
• How will it respond to climate change, economic inequality, racial injustice, and wars?
• How does the U.S. system adapt to realities on the ground and the choices made by political actors?

The program is led by renowned Georgetown faculty, and you’ll even hear from guest speakers, including former Chiefs of Staff for the Senate and the Speaker of the House. 

What do political scientists do? 

According to the U.S. News & World Report, “Political scientists work to understand government and politics in theory and in practice by considering topics in international relations, government operations, local administration, and more. For instance, they can hold positions at large universities or national non-profits and might focus on teaching, research, or service.” 

As for rankings, the same report ranks political science jobs as follows:

• #7 in Best Science Jobs
• #25 in Best-Paying Jobs
• #60 in Best STEM Jobs

How much does a political scientist make?

As of 2023, jobs in political science come with generous earnings. For instance, political scientists earn a median salary of $132,350. The best-paid 35% made $167,650, and the lowest-paid 25% made $96,600.

What are the best entry-level jobs for those with a degree in political science?

According to one leading source, the top entry-level jobs include:

• Social media intern: Manages social media accounts for clients and organizations.
• Legislative assistant: Assists legislators in creating documentation for new laws and regulations.
• Junior research assistant: Assists in researching organizational operations.
• Public relations assistant: Helps maintain the public image of the organization and its clients.
• Political consultant: Works on political campaigns to ensure a win.
• Paralegal: Assists attorneys in preparing for trial.

These are just some of the jobs a new graduate can prepare for. The career path for political science majors is vast and can be lucrative. 

When does that preparation start? The best way to prepare for a political science degree is to take relevant pre-college online courses while you are in high school.

How to prepare for a future in political science

Rice University is another renowned Prelum partner. Their precollege online course, Global Affairs: Exploring Changing Political Systems, teaches you how to think critically about the differences between democracies, semi-democratic systems, and authoritarian regimes. Review the decline of democracies over the past few decades using data on each country’s economic, cultural, and political science profiles.

Law is also a field in which political science plays a role. Prelum partners with some of the nation’s best universities, where law is taught in both undergraduate and graduate school programs. The University of Notre Dame is a great example. They offer a pre-college online course, Law: Thinking Like a Lawyer. This dynamic, interactive course covers criminal, constitutional, intellectual property, and sports law. You’ll learn how the IRAC Method is used to analyze legal issues. You’ll also explore college majors such as law, law enforcement, paralegal studies, and law clerk—all areas where political science plays a significant role.

We recommend exploring other courses from Prelum partner schools in a range of subjects, including international relations, leadership, business, finance, and psychology.

We’ll leave you with these words from Woodrow Wilson:

“The method of political science is the interpretation of life; its instrument is insight; a nice understanding of subtle, unformulated conditions.”

This was last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 06/06/2025.