Political Scientists
Studies governments, elections and public policy.
Read the full guide
Political scientists and policy analysts research how governments work, analyze elections and polls, and study the effects of laws, for universities, think tanks, government, campaigns and advocacy groups. Many political science majors go into law, government or journalism.
Open the political scientist guide
The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.
High school courses that build toward it
- English 10 · English
Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.
- Business Law · Career and Technical
Builds law and government, which this job uses.
- U.S. History · Social Studies
Builds history, which this job uses.
- Pre-Algebra · Math
Builds math, which this job uses.
- Physical Education · Health and PE
Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.
- German · World Language
Builds a second language, which this job uses.
Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.
Political Scientists on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.