Political Science
About This Program
You’re a critical thinker by nature. You are passionate about current issues. You want to solve problems and make your community and society better. Political Science is the major for you.
Why Utica University
The Political Science major at Utica University offers students individual attention from accomplished and caring faculty who love to teach. Students learn about power, strategic communication, leadership, advocacy, empirical analysis, diversity, ethics, and conflict resolution. The program also fosters the development of highly valuable and transferable life skills through engaged learning and real-world experiences.
In addition to preparing students for impactful and well-paying careers, the Utica University Political Science major empowers graduates with the knowledge and confidence they need to secure admission and scholarships to Master's, Ph.D., and law programs at some of the nation's most prestigious graduate institutions, including Yale Law School, Georgetown University, Rutgers University, and more.
The Political Science department offers several academic minors that interconnect with General Education requirements and the Political Science major:
Minor in Political Science Minor in Law, Justice, and Society Minor in Public Administration Minor in Human Rights Advocacy
The Center of Public Affairs and Election Research was launched on January 1, 2017 by the Department of Political Science at Utica University. The Center seeks to serve citizens, students, journalists, and scholars by providing research, commentary, and analyses of state, national, and international politics. We do this through our website, which provides free content designed for a general audience. Our team of over 50 contributors includes Political Scientists from around the country and throughout the world for an audience spanning more than 160 countries. The Center publishes articles on a wide range of topics from U.S. elections, to international security, China’s rising, and much more.
The James Sherman Society is a non-partisan, student organization focused on politics and current affairs. The goal of this organization is to provide an opportunity for all students interested in political science to discuss issues.
Events under the auspices of the James Sherman Society:
- Pizza and Politics: Through Pizza and Politics, the James Sherman Society invites guest speakers to discuss political issues and current affairs. Speakers range from Utica faculty and professors from other universities to professionals working in the field such as lawyers, public officials, and diplomats. This event is open to all students to attend. Pizza and Politics talks occur during the fall and spring semesters.
- Northeastern Political Science Association: This is an annual trip open to students of all majors who are interested in politics. This is an opportunity for students to attend panels where academics present their research. As the Northeastern Political Science Association is often hosted in cities with high levels of cultural value in the U.S. such as Boston, New York City, or Philadelphia, students will also have an opportunity to tour these cities and learn more about the history of the U.S. This is a fall semester event.
- Annual Awards Dinner: At this event the political science department’s faculty and students recognize the achievements of outstanding students. At this annual celebration, monetary awards are given to students in the following categories: professionalism, leadership, academic achievement, and outstanding graduating senior. This is a spring semester event.
For more information please contact Dr. Daniel Tagliarina at dctaglia@utica.edu
The Model United Nations Club at Utica University is focused on teaching students’ debate, interpersonal communication, and research skills in preparation for the annual Model UN conference that Utica University attends, the Harvard National Model United Nations in February (HNMUN).
Events under the Model UN Club:
- Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) conference: This is the annual Model UN conference that the Utica Model UN team attends held in Boston in the Spring Semester. In the Model UN conference, participating students will be assigned a country to represent in a large conference in which they will have to assume the role of said country and debate from that position on an assigned topic. While the focus of the club has been to educate students important life skills, the Model United Club at Utica University have won awards competing in conferences with other schools. Students from all majors and backgrounds and welcome to join.
- United Nations HQ trip: This is an annual trip where the Model UN club tours the UN headquarters in New York City. During this trip there will be guest speakers who are diplomats and officials at the UN who will speak to students about the inner workings of the UN and are available for questioning. Students from all majors and backgrounds and welcome to join.
For more information please contact Dr. Jun Kwon at jtkwon@utica.edu
This honor society recognizes the academic achievements of outstanding students who have taken political science classes.
Events under the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society:
- Annual Induction Dinner: Students who have enough credits to be considered juniors at Utica University and have taken a certain amount of political science classes, and who have achieved a high GPA, are eligible to be selected to join the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society. During this fall semester induction dinner, inductees are celebrated for their achievements.
- Speaker Series: Part of the Utica University’s chapter’s goal is to educate the college community and the wider community about important issues of the day. There are two public lectures are held each year, one during fall semester and another during spring.
For more information please contact Dr. Luke Perry at leperry@utica.edu
All majors take an internship appropriate to their academic and/or career interests.
POL470 - Government and Politics - Internship (3 to 15 credits). Below is a list of different internships students have completed in recent years. For more information please contact Dr. Luke Perry at leperry@utica.edu
- U.S. State Department
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Peace Corps
- Americorps
- New York State Assembly
- Onedia County District Attorney's Office
- Oneida County Family Court
- Clean and Healthy New York
- Mohawk Valley Refugee Center
- National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee
- Anthony Brindisi’s Congressional Campaign
- Claudia Tenney’s Congressional Campaign
- Emerge America
- Utica College Center of Public Affairs and Election Research
Political Science majors work with faculty to co-author professional publications. Recent examples include:
- Political Science major Quin Beaver co-authored “How Biden Rebuilt the ‘Blue Wall,’” with Dr. Luke Perry in The 2020 Presidential Election: Key Issues and Regional Dynamics, Palgrave MacMillan (2022)
- Political Science major Paul Joyce co-authored “When, How, and What Trump Tweeted on the Campaign Trail” with Dr. Luke Perry in The Role of Twitter in the 2016 Election, Palgrave MacMillan (2018)
Contact Information
Office of Admissions
Daniel Tagliarina, Ph.D.
General Information
Political Science at Utica
My internship with a member of the NYS Assembly has been a great experience. During the budget process, I did a lot policy analysis, working out how proposals would impact the district and looking for alternatives.
Career Opportunities
One Of The Top 10 Highest Paying Degrees
Choices
Responsible Citizenship
What You'll Learn
Political Science students learn how to navigate politics and power, which are present in every social situation. Students develop vital skills that enable them to advocate for themselves and others, making them highly appealing on the job market and more successful in pursuing their personal and professional goals.
In this program, students have the opportunity to:
- Develop analytic, research, and communication skills in highly interactive courses
- Deliver award-winning work with Dr. Jun Kwon at the annual Model United Nations competition at Harvard University
- Serve in leadership positions for Utica University's Student Government
- Work with faculty to attend and present papers at the Northeastern Political Science Conference and the New England Political Science Conference
- Work with faculty to co-author professional publications (see Faculty-Student Publications, above, for examples)
- Work with faculty research and write articles for the Utica University Center of Public Affairs and Election Research
- Secure admission and scholarships into Master's, Ph.D., and law programs. Recent examples include:
Quin Beaver (Syracuse Law School)
Mik Bushinski (Yale Law School)
Sung Jang (Binghamton University)
Joshua Turner (American University, University of Buffalo)
Audra Williams (Boston College)
Troy Edwards (Georgetown University)
Hermina Garic (Rutgers University)
Stephen Dwyer (Ave Maria School of Law)
Tyena Garcia (Baruch College)
James Petucci (New England Law School)
Brock Herringshaw (Purdue University)
Alexander Hobaica (Albany Law School)
Sam Getman (Albany Law School)
- Graduate with well-paying jobs in government, law, business, healthcare, insurance, journalism, public relations, education and more!
Political Science Faculty
- Associate Professor of Political Science
- Distinguished Professor of Political Science
- Professor of Political Science
A Degree That Works
Political Science alumni have impactful and well-paying careers in a range of different fields. Recent alumni hold leadership positions at:
- Arizent
- The ARC
- City of Utica Urban Renewal
- Defense Finance Accounting Service
- Eviction Defense Collaborative
- HSBC Bank
- Latham and Watkins
- Lodging Kit Company
- Luks, Santienello, Cohen & Peterfriend
- New York City Law Department
- New York State Assembly
- New York State Senate
- Northwestern Mutual
- Utica Municipal Housing Authority
- Office of the New York Attorney General
- Olinkski Law Group
- Paige Marketing Communications Group
- Samsung
- U.S. Accountability Office
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. Investigative Service
- Utica University
- The Hartford Insurance
- Vindigni, Betro, & Getman PLLC
- Well Point
Alumni Voices: Paul Joyce '18
Recent graduate Paul Joyce talks about the political science major at Utica and how amazing research opportunities, real-world learning, and mentorship made all the difference.
Student Voices: Mikhail Bushinski
Political science major Mikhail Bushinski '17 talks about his program, his professors, and his experience on Utica's men's hockey team.
Student Voices: Anthony Sokolowski
A brief conversation with Anthony Sokolowski, a political science major with a minor in philosophy of justice. Anthony talks about his experience at Utica, his professors, and his internship at the Office of the Oneida County District Attorney.
Departmental News and Events
Read about media appearances, publications, field experiences, and campus events featuring faculty and students from Utica's political science program.
View Stories / EventsPolitical Science at Utica University
Professor Like Perry shares insights with The Hill on NY and Wisconsin Redistricting
A Gift for Teaching: Dr. Theodore Orlin
Utica University presents honorary degree to Zelenskyy at commencement ceremony
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