Study Political Science – Public Law and Political Theory at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥
Explore landmark court decisions that have helped to define civil rights and liberties, judicial processes and government power — and how these laws continue to shape today’s society. Whether you’re preparing for law school or interested in careers ranging from government to law enforcement, journalism to teaching, or research to public interest work, the public law concentration will give you a solid foundation to excel.
As a political science major with a focus in public law and political theory, you’ll examine the role of the federal, state and tribal courts in the American political system; learn about the values and principles underlying the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights; gain a deeper understanding of judicial politics; and explore how courts have determined the scope and limits of individual liberties and civil rights.
Like all of our political science programs, the public law and political theory concentration offers exceptional opportunities for real-world learning and community engagement — through internships, undergraduate research, service-learning opportunities and more.
And you can easily tailor your political science degree to your specific interests or pursue as a double major or minor. In addition to public international relations and comparative politics, we also offer concentrations in American politics, and policy and public administration.
Jump To
$43K+
in departmental scholarships awarded to 17 of our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ in 2022
50%
of UM political science majors participate in an internship related to politics, policy or law
$60K
estimated average salary of graduates of UM’s bachelor’s 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.
Political science majors who graduate with a concentration in public law often go on to law school — preparing to work in areas such as environmental law, refugee law, and international law. Many pursue careers in government, or in public law enforcement and administration. The concentration in public law is also an excellent starting point for a wide range of careers due to the central role of law in society – such as careers in teaching, journalism, or work that involves political research or policy advocacy.
What is public law and political theory?
Public law and political theory explores how legal systems work, how courts make legal decisions, and how legal processes and laws affect society as a whole. It’s the law that governs relationships between the government and private individuals or private institutions like businesses, and the legal relationships between individuals and institutions. Examples of public law include constitutional law, criminal law and administrative law.
Political science jobs
As a political science major with a concentration in public law and political theory, you might pursue careers such as:
- Lawyer
- Legal researcher or paralegal
- Journalist
- Legal consultant
- Researcher
- Policy advocacy for public interest groups
- Politician
- Lobbyist
- Teacher
- Professor
Political science salaries
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, lawyers earn an average of $126,930 per year. Keep in mind that this can vary considerably depending on the type of field in which you practice.
On average, graduates with a bachelor’s in political science earn $63,000 per year, according to Payscale.com
Experiential learning in the political science degree
When you major in political science at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, you can count on having numerous and diverse opportunities for hands-on, real-world learning.
UM is home to the Montana Model UN conference and our award-winning traveling team — a great opportunity for political science majors with global interests to develop their leadership skills and prepare for careers in international affairs and public policy.
Each fall, our student's staff a two-day conference for 250+ high school Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ from Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Each spring, 12 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ represent UM at the National Model UN collegiate conference in New York. Learn more about UM’s Montana Model UN.
We also have very strong internship programs — with local, national and international connections. Our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ have worked everywhere from The White House to Montana state legislatures; US embassies to local election campaigns; US senators’ offices to the US Senate Finance Committee. UM’s Baucus Leaders program and other scholarships provide financial support for student internships.
Want to gain international experience and pursue your political science major overseas? We also offer exciting study abroad opportunities that, for many, are defining experiences at college. UM has agreements with many international universities where UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can study for a semester or year paying only their regular UM tuition and fees. Explore study abroad programs at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.
Career development in the political science major
There are many ways to get involved in the community, build your professional network and connect with potential career opportunities as a political science major at UM — and our faculty are here to help you at every step.
Our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ often serve as executive officers and in leadership positions in student government. They lead campus political clubs and the Political Science Honor Society. They’ve even successfully run for state and local elected offices.
Student organizations offer more great ways to develop professionally and make new friends. Clubs you may be interested in as a political science major with a focus in public law include:
- International Development Studies Club
- Global Grizzlies
- UM Climate Response Club
- Kyiyo Native American Student Association
- Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society
Scholarships for political science
Each year, we award over $43,000 in scholarships to political science majors with a range of interests, accomplishments, and activities both on campus and in the community — including incoming UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who excelled in the Montana Model UN High School Conference. Learn more about scholarship opportunities in the political science program.
Political science degree requirements
The concentration in public law and political theory focuses on how legal systems function, including the major US Supreme Court and lower court landmark decisions in the areas of determining the scope of government powers under the rule of law, civil rights and liberties, and judicial process. Example courses for this concentration include constitutional law, civil rights, international law and organization, tribal sovereignty, and American political thought.
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