Political Science

School of Liberal Arts

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A Political Science Degree for Problem Solvers & Change Agents

If you believe that making the world a better place isn’t just a dream, but an achievable goal through strategic actions, Marist’s Political Science program is for you. Through a unique curriculum, world-class faculty, undergraduate research, focused internships, and complementary coursework, you’ll develop the critical skills and practical experience to make your mark on the future.

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Student Learning Outcomes

Image of students reading books in library with faculty member.

Customize Your Curriculum to Match Your Interests

Marist’s Political Science degree combines broad exposure to the discipline with the ability to specialize in your areas of interest, which can drive your career path.

Have an interest in American Politics? Take courses such “History of the American Presidency” and “Citizens and Political Organizations.”
Passionate about international affairs? Take courses like “Democracy and Dictatorship” and “U.S. Foreign Policy.”
Want to think deeply about political philosophy? You can take courses in “Contemporary Political Thought” and “Race & Political Thought.”
Looking for an applied perspective? Consider courses such as “Global Health” and “Environmental Politics and Policy.”

Customize Your Curriculum to Match Your Interests

Marist’s Political Science degree combines broad exposure to the discipline with the ability to specialize in your areas of interest, which can drive your career path.

Have an interest in American Politics? Take courses such “History of the American Presidency” and “Citizens and Political Organizations.”
Passionate about international affairs? Take courses like “Democracy and Dictatorship” and “U.S. Foreign Policy.”
Want to think deeply about political philosophy? You can take courses in “Contemporary Political Thought” and “Race & Political Thought.”
Looking for an applied perspective? Consider courses such as “Global Health” and “Environmental Politics and Policy.”

Learn From Leading Scholars in Political Science

Our Political Science faculty are experts in their field with active research agendas. Many have also been practitioners, working in the worlds of state and local government, non-profits, and political consulting. They bring this unique perspective to their role as teachers and mentors, and they actively collaborate with undergraduates on important research to be presented at the national and international levels. Small class sizes mean our faculty get to know you as an individual, providing close advising in your coursework, internships, and future career. Meet a few of our faculty members below, or view all Political Science faculty >

Juris Pupcenoks

Dr. Pupcenoks teaches courses in international relations including the popular "Model United Nations" course. His research addresses migration, ethnic politics, and political violence as it relates to Muslim communities in the West. His book, Western Muslims and Conflicts Abroad, was published recently and his research articles have appeared in major academic journals.

Jessica Boscarino

Along with teaching courses in American government, public policy, environmental and energy policy, research methods, and environmentalism in popular culture, Dr. Boscarino is currently working on a project that examines environmental advocacy group communication strategies on social media, and the use of visual elements such as photographs to tell persuasive policy stories.

Lee Miringoff

The former President of the National Council of Public Polls (NCPP), Dr. Miringoff is the director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of the Marist Poll, and a frequent commentator on politics and elections and is often quoted in print and digital media. Dr. Miringoff teaches courses in political communications, public opinion, and survey research.

Build Your Resume with Undergraduate Research

Our faculty are very active in their research, and they look forward to bringing their students along for the ride. Working side-by-side with faculty at the top of their fields, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to significant studies to present at the national and international levels. The Marist Poll is a great resource for research opportunities; it was the first college-based research center to include undergraduates in conducting survey research, and it has nearly 300 students on the team each semester.

Political Science major Julia McCarthy presents her Senior Thesis Project, developing a report on student civic participation and organizing voter registration across campus ahead of the 2018 midterms.

Gain Skills to Set Yourself Apart

Synthesizing Complex Information

Students integrate and evaluate knowledge from multiple sources.

Civic Engagement

Students cultivate and nurture relationships within the community, collaborating on projects that train them for 21st century careers.

Global Citizenship

Students develop the cross-cultural awareness and competency to understand and impact political conditions on the ground across the world.

Analytical Problem Solving

Students employ advanced research methods and technology to analyze real-world data and develop solutions to contemporary issues.

Critical Thinking

Students think logically and creatively, with an ability to reflect upon and assess different perspectives as they grapple with theory and practical issues.

Writing

Students communicate clearly, accurately and persuasively in a variety of written formats that are used in the professional workplace.

Start Your Career Before You Graduate with High-Impact Internships

Whether through Marist programs like the Albany Summer Internship Program or the Tarver Summer Internship Program or through our partnerships with the Hansard Scholars Programme in London and the Washington Semester Program, Marist Political Science students have a wide range of internship opportunities to focus their career paths. View some of the internship destinations our Political Science students have utilized below.

Logos of Political Science internship locations: ABCLatino Media Network, Alzheimer's Association of the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, Rebuilding Together Dutchess County, The Office of the New York State Attorney General, and Scenic Hudson.

Logos of Political Science internship locations: Late Night With Seth Myers, Hudson River Housing, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Rural and Migrant Ministry, United Way, and Yahoo! Finance.

Enhance Your Career Possibilities with the Academic Triangle

Marist’s liberal arts curriculum is so unique because of our academic triangle approach: we encourage you to complement your major with an additional major, minor, or supplementary coursework, as well as internship and research experiences to round out your educational career. This trifecta enhances your academics, opening up a wide range of career opportunities after you graduate. Take a look at some real examples of how our Political Science students have been successful with this method:

Political Science Major
+ Environmental Science and Policy Major
= Project Development Coordinator, NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation

Political Science Major
+ Communication Major
+ Public Relations Concentration
= Senior Associate, Kivvit Political Consulting

Political Science Major
+ Mathematics Minor
= Election Associate, Global Strategy Group

Political Science Major
+ Global Studies Minor
= Director, Women’s Environment and Development Organization

The political science major isn’t that big, so I really appreciated the small class size. I didn’t feel intimidated in discussions, and this gave me increased confidence later on in interviews and in the workplace. Marist doesn’t leave you to your own devices. If you put in the work, and reach out to faculty members, they’re happy to help you.

Madeline Garcia

Political Science Major, Communication Minor

Read Madeline's Story >

I feel the Marist community is always rooting for you and willing to help. What I considered home seems to have expanded at Marist. Home is not just a physical space – it’s the people and relationships.

Mac Mugabo

Dual Major Economics and Political Science, Environmental Policy Minor

Read Mac's Story >

Through my internships, I found out that I love the fast pace of the news industry. Interning for Yahoo!Finance, I wrote articles on influencers and helped with ‘man in the street’ interviews in Times Square, and it was such a great experience because they let me be really hands-on. I knew that this was what I wanted to do and that they had a culture I wanted to be a part of.

Brooke DiPalma

Communication Major, Journalism and Public Relations Concentration, Political Science Minor

Read Brooke's Story >

In my Honors seminar, we reviewed case briefs and discussed types of leadership. Students in the class were exploring leadership in different ways—both in the Marist community and in the Poughkeepsie community. For me, now it’s about practicing some of those principles...I’d like to be involved in politics and education policy, and eventually, I would like to run for office.

Mark Palmer

Political Science Major, Criminal Justice Minor

Read Mark's Story >

Academically, Marist has been great. My two advisors have been incredibly supportive. They even helped me write and practice a big speech I had to give in front of 200 people. I’m so grateful for their mentorship!

Nicole Doyle

Dual Major Spanish and Communication, Public Relations Concentration, Latin American & Caribbean Studies and Political Science Minors

Read Nicole's Story >

My professors really helped me to find an interest in Latin American politics in class, and I really wanted to study more about it. I found this summer program online, and now I will have the opportunity to talk to people on both sides of the Colombian civil war and get their perspectives on conflict resolution and tactics.

Orla Haughey

Political Science Major, Global Studies Minor

Read Orla's Story >

The Value of a Marist Education

At Marist, we pride ourselves on our dedication to providing our students with a well-rounded liberal arts education that prepares them for practical experience and profound success in their field. But don't just take our word for it - the numbers speak for themselves.