Political Science

Discover your path in politics and policy

Political Science major

Interested in a career in government, politics, public policy, or advocacy? At Simpson, our Political Science program gives you the flexibility to tailor your coursework to your interests while gaining practical experience inside and outside the classroom. You’ll engage in policy debates, conduct and analyze public opinion polls, build mock political campaigns, write judicial opinions and presidential evaluations, and complete an individual research project based on your interests.

Learning extends beyond campus through opportunities like the Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP), the John C. Culver Public Policy Center, Model United Nations, internships with government offices and political campaigns, and study abroad experiences. Whether you plan to work in government, nonprofits, campaigns, journalism, lobbying, public policy, or government relations, or pursue graduate or law school, the Political Science program helps you develop the critical thinking, research, writing, communication, and analytical skills to succeed.

View major course requirements

View minor course requirements

Why Simpson College for Political Science?

What Will I Learn?

You’ll learn how government, political systems, public policy, and global affairs shape the world around us. Through a flexible curriculum, you’ll develop critical thinking, research, writing, communication, and analytical skills while exploring topics that match your interests. You’ll also gain experience evaluating complex issues, preparing you for careers in government, politics, nonprofits, and beyond.

Graduate School Ready

Our faculty will prepare you for every step of applying to and getting accepted into high-quality graduate schools after graduation. Here are a few examples of schools where Simpson alumni have studied:

Arizona State University: Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Boston University
Creighton University School of Law
Georgetown University Law Center
University of Denver
University of Houston
University of Iowa
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
University of Minnesota Law School
University of Tennessee
University of Virginia

Career Ready

Our graduates are prepared to launch successful careers and make an immediate impact in the workforce. Here are a few examples of where Simpson alumni are building their careers:

Agricultural Retailers Association
American Federation for Children
Cupola Consulting
Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives
Iowa Legislature
Iowa Governor’s Office
Lighthouse Legal Services
National Organization for Women
U.S. Attorney’s Office
U.S. Senate

Professors Who Care

The political science department is privileged to have a cohort of incredibly intelligent professors who offer a diverse roster of interesting and challenging courses. My political science professors at Simpson were highly influential in my decision to attend law school and integral to my academic success.

Abby Meyer ’24

- Political Science Major

Explore Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Interested in the unique opportunities the department has to offer? See more opportunities and experiences that will shape your future at Simpson.

John C. Culver Public Policy Center

The John C. Culver Public Policy Center is dedicated to civic engagement and public service. It was established at Simpson College in 2010 to honor John C. Culver, who served the people of Iowa for 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. His tenure was marked by a tireless pursuit of policies to ensure justice at home and peace abroad, and he is widely respected for his integrity and political courage by both Republicans and Democrats who served with him in Congress.

We strive to honor Culver’s example. The center’s nonpartisan programs educate and inspire active participation in our democracy and encourage young people to consider public service as their life’s work.

Learn More

Model UN

Model UN provides a forum for discussion of major issues facing the international community, from security and human rights issues to economic development and trade, and more. In addition, members of the group spend time preparing for participation in the Midwest Model UN Conference that takes place in February.

Pre-Law Society

Pre-Law Society is open to any student who is thinking about law school. The group invites speakers to the campus and takes field trips related to the legal profession. Pre-Law Society is a link to advice on choosing and applying to a law school, information on areas of legal specialization and practice, and current issues in law. Each year, the group co-hosts an alumni dinner, giving current students the opportunity to connect with alumni working in the legal field and law school. The group has previously attended Dwight Opperman Lectures featuring U.S. Supreme Court Justices and arranged field trips to Drake Law School, University of Iowa Law School, and Nebraska law schools.

Vote Everywhere

As a non-partisan group, Vote Everywhere campus representatives educate and provide resources in today’s times for politics. They help students register to vote and provide resources on where to vote, starting in students’ first semester, when they visit every Foundations class to connect with newly eligible voters.

Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, is the only honor society for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students of government in the United States.

Andrew Goodman Foundation Ambassador Program

The Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF) sparks leadership in students across the country by encouraging and supporting student ambassadors to fight for injustice, address social issues and increase community participation. Here on campus, our AGF Ambassadors work to empower Simpson students to advocate, activate and organize. The Andrew Goodman Foundation allows students to build leadership and professional skills to prosper after graduation simultaneously building a potent national millennial network which fights for justice.

May Term Travel

May Term courses take learning beyond the classroom through immersive travel experiences. Each course is designed to provide firsthand insight into the industry while helping students build professional connections and explore a variety of career opportunities. Recent trips include:

Greece
Brazil
Ireland
Australia

Simpson’s Capitol Hill Internship Program

Simpson’s Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) is a life-changing opportunity for political science, pre-law, and international relations students.

You spend a semester in Washington, D.C., and earn a semester of credit in an internship and two seminar classes. Students live in a 3-story brick brownstone just blocks from the Capitol. An on-site director helps with internship placement, and costs are similar to a semester on campus.

Learn more about CHIP