Welcome to Political Science!
What is justice? How do we balance freedom and law? Who should rule? These are just a few of the important questions that we address as political scientists here at CSUSB. Our students learn the centrality of these kinds of questions to all of human affairs. Through the study of law, politics, and global affairs, they acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge that informs their lives and careers long after their time in college.
The Department
The Department of Political Science at CSUSB features personalized instruction by an outstanding faculty of recognized academicians. Our nine core faculty members have published fifteen books and won numerous accolades for teaching and scholarship, including the University's Outstanding Professor Award.
The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minors in Political Science and Pre-Law, as well as a certificate program in International Relations. The Department also offers two graduate programs in national security studies.
We host a robust internship program and administer multiple scholarships at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The Department hosts an award-winning chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. There is also a very active National Security Club as well as the Law Society, which serves students interested in legal careers.
Careers for Political Science Students
Given the substantive nature of the political science program at CSUSB, our students are prepared for a wide variety of careers. Many go on to law school and become attorneys. Others teach in public schools, pursue further graduate study in government, international relations, public administration, policy studies, business or management. Indeed, many find roles in the private sector, working as administrators, sales managers, corporate liaisons to governments, and countless other positions. Some students even run for public office or take public sector jobs at the federal, state, and local levels, working as officials, agency managers, policy analysts, or staff members. Other students find employment in non-profit agencies dealing with regulatory issues and public entities. Still others enter the fields of print, internet or broadcast journalism. Many political science students go on to careers in foreign service with the State Department or other government agencies; these include posts both within the U.S. and overseas.
Contact the Department
If you are curious about political science, we invite you to reach out to the Department at any time. You may contact the Department Chair to arrange an online or on-campus visit.
Scot Zentner, Professor and Chair
zentner@csusb.edu
909-537-5480
If you already are a declared Political Science major, but are not sure how to proceed, please contact Professor Zentner or your assigned department faculty advisor, who can be found through your Student Center in Mycoyote.