Political Science – Concentration in Public Administration and Public Policy – Bachelor’s Degree Program (BA)
Study Political Science – Concentration in Public Administration and Public Policy at the University of Montana
Gain a solid background in administrative and policy-making processes, while preparing for diverse careers in politics. In the public administration and public policy program — a concentration of the bachelor’s in political science at UM — you’ll explore important issues ranging from diversity and affirmative action, to preparing for international challenges such as pandemic diseases and climate change.
Our political science major offers incredible opportunities for real-world learning and undergraduate research, and is a degree you can easily tailor to your specific interests or pursue as a double major. In addition to public policy and public administration, we also offer concentrations in American politics, international relations and comparative politics, and public law.
in departmental scholarships awarded to 17 of our students in 2022
of UM political science majors participate in an internship related to politics, policy or law, earning course credits.
of our graduates said the political science program helped them develop analytical and critical thinking skills
Other degree options for political science at UM
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Concentration in American Politics
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Concentration in Public Law
Master of Arts in Political Science
What can you do with a political science degree?
Politics influence almost every aspect of our lives — from economics and education, to health care and the environment. For political science majors, this means a wide range of career options.
Our recent graduates include a Montana State Representative, the Chief of Staff for a United States Senator, a Washington D.C. lobbyist, and a military officer. Others have become teachers, lawyers researchers, policy analysts and advocates, campaign professionals, leaders and important staff in nonprofit organizations and businesses, or officials in our local and state governments here in Montana.
Our graduates achieve great things in diverse fields. Over the last four years, seven of the sixteen UM Distinguished Alumni graduated from the political science department. Our alumni include a federal district court judge, the head of a major DC lobby, a key figure in environmental policy in the western US, and the founder and CEO of a major Australian grocery chain.
Political science jobs can bring you into many different types of fields, and take you all over the world.
Public policy and public administration jobs
What can you do with a degree in public administration? Administrative and public policy jobs could involve working in:
- State, local and tribal government, such as city and county administration, or tribal health policy.
- Federal government positions with State Department, Peace Corps, US AID, Congressional staff, Department of Commerce, or Department of Defense.
- International organizations, including UN agencies, the World Bank, and non-governmental and organizations such as World Vision, Oxfam, Human Rights Watch, and Unite for Sight.
- Community service organizations such as United Way and Soft Landing Missoula.
- Domestic nonprofits, think tanks, foundations and strategic-analysis firms.
- Lobbyist groups and private corporations representing a range of industries in the US and internationally.
- Political science salaries
On average, graduates with a political science bachelor’s degree program earn a salary of $63,000 — according to Payscale.com. However, keep in mind that public policy and public administration salaries can vary widely depending on your professional focus, experience and other factors.
Experiential learning in the political science degree
Develop hands-on skills that will help you stand out to employers. Our degree in political science offers all kinds of ways to gain real-world experience — through opportunities such as UM’s Montana Model United Nations conference, internships and study abroad programs, and our Franke Global Leadership Initiative.
Internships in the public administration and public policy concentration
As a public administration and public policy major, you’ll have exciting opportunities for internships. Our students have worked in The White House, US senators’ offices and US embassies, to name a few. They’ve worked with Montana legislative representatives and congressional delegations, and on local election campaigns. Others have chosen positions with nonprofits and community service organizations. UM’s Baucus Leaders program and other scholarships provide financial support for student internships.
Study abroad for political science majors
Gain international experience studying politics overseas. We offer both short- and long-term study abroad programs for political science majors that provide opportunities to make connections around the globe. UM has agreements with many international universities where UM students can study for a semester or year paying only their regular UM tuition and fees. Learn more about study abroad opportunities at UM.
Career development in the public administration degree
As a public administration and public policy major, you’ll find many opportunities to get involved and make a difference in your community — building professional connections as you learn. From jobs and service learning, to professional conferences and student organizations, networking and professional development will be an ongoing part of your academic experience.
Student organizations for public administration and public policy students
UM student organizations offer even more great ways to get involved and make new friends. Here are a few you might be interested in with a focus in public administration and public policy:
- Pi Sigma Alpha political science honors society
- International Development Studies Club
- Global Grizzlies
- UM Climate Response Club
- Kyiyo Native American Student Association
Political science scholarships
Each year, we award tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to reward political science majors with a range of interests, accomplishments and activities both on campus and in the community — including incoming UM students who excelled in the Montana Model UN High School Conference.
Our majors are competitive for national and international scholarships – UM’s last two Truman Scholars were political science majors including a winner last year, and this year two students were finalists for the Mitchell and Rhodes scholarships, and one of our political science majors was awarded a prestigious Marshall Scholarship.
Learn more about scholarship opportunities for majors in political science.
Public administration degree requirements
Public administration examines the practices of governmental and non-governmental entities (such as resource management, budgeting and planning) while public policy courses explore how policies are developed and implemented, and analyze policy outcomes and impacts. Example courses for this concentration include Montana Government and Politics, Politics of Polarization, Multicultural Politics, Global Health Issues, and a three-week summer course about the theory and practice of wilderness policy, in which you’ll delve into issues of land management, recreation, wildfire and wildlife and tribal wilderness.