Department of Political Science
Academic Unit Head: Kerry Crawford
Email: crawfokf@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-6952
Location: Miller Hall, Room 2123
Department of Political Science Website
Mission Statement
The Department of Political Science offers strong major and minor programs sharing a focus on public concerns and public service. We are committed to providing our students with the tools and competence to succeed in their lives, their graduate education and their careers by instilling academic rigor, information access and research skills, dedication to life-long learning and respect for diversity in cultures, nations and institutions of democracy.
Goals
To carry out the above mission, the Department of Political Science seeks to:
- Offer strong major programs: the B.A. in political science, the B.S. in public administration and the B.A. in international affairs.
- Offer strong minor programs: political science, public policy & administration; non-profit studies and political communication (cross-disciplinary).
- Offer strong graduate programs: the M.A. in political science with a concentration in European Union policy studies and the Master of Public Administration.
- Enhance critical thinking, communication and information gathering skills.
- Foster active learning through research, simulations and internships.
Career Opportunities
The political science department offers programs that lead students to careers in the following fields:
- Administration and management
- Federal, state and local government
- International organizations
- Law
- Non-profit organizations
- Politics
- Private sector
To enhance the marketability of its students, the political science department supports career-related internships. For information contact the political science office, Miller Hall, Room 2120, (540) 568-6149 or contact the internship coordinator, Fred Mayhew (mayhewfd@jmu.edu).
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
- Pi Alpha Alpha: public administration honor society
- Pi Sigma Alpha: political science honor society
- Pre-Law Society
- Sigma Iota Rho: international affairs honor society
- PASO: JMU Public Affairs Student Organization
Programs in the Department of Political Science
The Department of Political Science offers the B. A. degree with a major in political science, the B.S. degree with a major in public administration and the B.A. degree with a major in international affairs. The Department also offers the M.A. in political science with concentration in European Union policy studies (a 10-month program based in Florence, Italy) and the M.P.A in public administration.
Washington Semester
Program Director: Edward Yang
Phone: (202) 422-6161
Email: yangyx@jmu.edu
Location: 1400 16th St. NW, Suite 320, Washington, D.C., 20036
Website
The Washington Semester program enables students to explore the wealth of political and cultural opportunities available in the Washington, D.C. area. The program includes semester-length internships, courses taught on-site, panel discussions by people in various professions, cultural activities, and networking opportunities with JMU alumni working in the DC area.
The Washington Semester program is open to all majors and is offered every semester. Students not majoring in political science, international affairs, or public administration should consult with their departments about how the internship and coursework fits their academic plans; some departments may be willing to arrange course substitutions.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Assistantships are limited to nine paid graduate hours of tuition each fall and spring semester. Students must pay for any additional hours each semester at the tuition rate based on residency status.
All relevant regulations in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs are applicable.