Mission Statement

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration seeks to provide students with a learning experience that will equip them to face the challenges of an increasingly complex job market and prepare them to become active and engaged citizens at the local, national, and international levels. The political science program provides students with a broad-based political education that is grounded in the field’s theoretical traditions. This includes a strong background in the fundamental branches of our discipline: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, political theory and public administration. Political science students acquire practical experience and develop connections in the community through a variety of legal internships. Our extracurricular activities, such as the Political Science Society, help students become engaged in local politics. Students gain abilities to critically assess contemporary political events and identify practical solutions to social problems. Political science majors develop analytical and methodological skills that will serve them well regardless of their chosen profession.

Vision Statement

Training Indiana’s future political and civic leaders

General Statement of Departmental Objectives

In order to better address the needs of our pre-law students, the Department will establish a pre-law minor. The number of distance education courses will increase, to provide more flexibility in student education. The Department will increase its involvement in community outreach. Particular attention will be devoted to increase the involvement of students in internship programs related to the legal profession. We are also seeking accreditation of the MPA program from the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).