The Political Science Department trains students to engage in public service, ask serious questions and develop practical skills.

Public Service

Politics is a calling for those who desire to serve their community, nation and world in government agencies, law, political campaigns, military service, security studies, public policy, social movements, journalism, teaching and international organizations. A degree in Political Science offers a lucrative salary potential combined with the opportunity for meaningful contribution to public service. Our graduates go on to law school, graduate school in various fields, polling firms, local government, non-profit organizations, federal agencies, the armed forces and major corporations. 

See what alumni have to say about the Political Science program at UMass Lowell.

Serious Questions

Our classes address issues of power, political representation, social justice, national security, international relations, identity politics, ethnicity, gender, religion, terrorism, human rights, democratization, campaign strategy, civil rights, political ideologies and constitutional government.  

Practical Skills

Political Science emphasizes the core skills of effective argument, speech and writing. We teach each student to analyze data, organize information, and generate creative and original ideas. Every student completes a practicum project/internship in a law office, government agency, political campaign or other service organization. Our students also participate in the Washington, D.C. Semester, the Mock Trial program, the Center For Public Opinion and the prize-winning Model U.N. Program that competes around the nation and the world. UMass Lowell offers several avenues for international study and travel, aided by our political science faculty with expertise in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America.