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Political Science, Public Administration and Philosophy

Political Science

The Political Science Program at University of Southern Indiana trains Indiana’s future political and civic leaders. Many of our students continue their education at graduate and law schools across the country. Our alumni are making a difference in their community, region, state and around the world.

The political science major offers two concentrations of study: Government, Law and Diplomacy (GLAD) and Public and Nonprofit Administration (PNPA). 

Philosophy

The vision of the Philosophy Program at the University of Southern Indiana is to acquaint students with the ideas and tools necessary to live a thoughtful and examined life in a diverse world. Our program in Philosophy enables students to be more attractive to potential employers and graduate schools. The courses in the philosophy major teach students to think logically, critically, and ethically. Their higher-than-average scores on standardized tests like LSAT, GMAT and GRE facilitates excellent admission to law school and graduate schools.

Master of Public Administration

For those wishing to pursue graduate-level education, the department also offers a 100% online Master of Public Administration, which you can complete in 2 years.

College of Liberal Arts
Cognitive Science
Minor
College of Liberal Arts
Fundraising Microcredential
Graduate Microcredential
College of Liberal Arts
Legal Studies
Minor
College of Liberal Arts
Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) Dual Degree
Master's
College of Liberal Arts
Nonprofit Administration Certificate (graduate)
Graduate Certificate
College of Liberal Arts
Nonprofit Professional Microcredential
Graduate Microcredential
College of Liberal Arts
Philosophy
Major
College of Liberal Arts
Philosophy
Minor
College of Liberal Arts
Policy Making Microcredential
Graduate Microcredential
College of Liberal Arts
Political Science - Government, Law and Diplomacy Concentration
Major
College of Liberal Arts
Political Science - Public and Nonprofit Administration Concentration
Major
College of Liberal Arts
Political Science
Minor
College of Liberal Arts
Pre-Law
Minor
College of Liberal Arts
Program Evaluation Microcredential
Graduate Microcredential
College of Liberal Arts
Public Administration - Nonprofit Administration Concentration
Master's
College of Liberal Arts
Public Administration - Public Sector Administration Concentration
Master's
College of Liberal Arts
Public Administration Certificate (graduate)
Graduate Certificate
College of Liberal Arts
Public and Nonprofit Administration
Minor
College of Liberal Arts
Public and Nonprofit Leadership Microcredential
Undergraduate Microcredential
College of Liberal Arts
Religious Studies
Minor
College of Liberal Arts
State and Local Government Microcredential
Undergraduate Microcredential

Brenden Davidson '15 Political Science

Lieutenant Brenden Davidson is the Spring 2026 Alumni-in-Residence speaker for the College of Liberal Arts. He is currently serving in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps, assigned as a defense attorney at Defense Service Office West in Bremerton, Washington. Brenden graduated summa cum laude from USI in 2015 with a BS in Political Science. He obtained his JD from The George Washington University Law School in 2024 and is an active member of the D.C. Bar. Prior to law school, Brenden served two tours in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer.

Rebekah Hamilton '24 Political Science

Rebekah (Political Science major and pre-law minor) attends IU McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis on a full-tuition scholarship. She was an Associate Justice in the Student Government Association, a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, and interned for the USI IT Department. She was the recipient of Brooks Inns of Court Pre-Law Scholarship and David L. Rice Merit Scholarship.

Tommy Kautzman '24 with Congressman Mast

Tommy graduated with a political science major and public relations minor. He completed a Digital Communications Summer Internship for the Office of Congressman Brian Mast in Washington, DC in 2022. He had previously been a legislative intern in Washington, DC working for the Office of Indiana State Senator Mike Braun. Tommy got a job as sales representative at Heritage Petroleum.

Shane Dearing '07 Political Science

Dearing was the speaker for the College of Liberal Arts Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of SAIVA AI based in Palo Alto, California, where he occupies a pivotal role in propelling the company toward unprecedented growth and financial success.

George (Robbie) Belt '24

Robbie attends the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He graduated with a Philosophy major and minors in pre-law & psychology. Robbie was the president of the Philosophy and Vegetarian Clubs at USI, and a member of the Pre-Law club and the Mock Trial Team. He was selected Philosophy Student of the Year for 2023 and 2024, and was on the Dean’s list since the Fall of 2022.

Justin Homberg '24 Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Military Science

Second Lieutenant Homberg graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Political Science and a B.S. in Criminal Justice and military science. 2LT Homberg has commissioned into the Indiana Army National Guard. He joined the Evansville Police Department as probationary officer.

Midori Matsuura '24

Midori (Political Science major) is an international student from Japan, where she graduated from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies in 2021. At USI, Midori established the Asian Student Union, for which she served as co-president. She received the USI Trustees Distinguished Merit Award in 2023. Midori attends the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.

Scholarships

Opportunities

Our Political Science graduates have taken jobs at all levels of government and in politics, law, business, nonprofit sector, education, and media. Philosophy majors pursue a variety of careers, such as law, health professions, local, state, and federal government, business, and science.

Philosophy majors are appreciated on the job market for their portable skills and occupy top positions in business and government

Our MPA certificate program gives you the right combination of skills and theoretical knowledge to open the door to a broad range of careers in public sector institutions and non-profit organizations.

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Political Science, Public Administration and Philosophy

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