An undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences is excellent preparation for flexibility in employment. Political science majors qualify for many different careers in private and public sector organizations, including careers in business, the law, state, local and federal government, journalism, international organizations and finance, political campaigns, interest groups and associations, and pre-college and college teaching. Political science training also provides valuable preparation for participating in community organizations, electoral politics, movements on behalf of specific policies, or even seeking elected or appointed positions in government. The department of Political Science has successfully placed their majors in a wide variety of jobs. By earning an MA or PhD, these students obtain jobs teaching at community colleges or universities, or jobs in research.
Some students choose to earn their MA here at Eastern Illinois.
Other graduate school placements include University of Washington, Miami University of Ohio, Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois, and Florida State. Former EIU graduates are now teaching at institutions such as Southern Illinois, Lakeland Community College, Macon Junior College, and the Air Force War College. Besides university-level teaching, some graduates combine their political science major with a social studies teaching certificate, to teach in secondary schools. Besides government work, political science graduates can obtain jobs working for government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, State Board of Education, Social Security Office, Department of Public Aid, and numerous other agencies. Political science is one of the best undergraduate majors for students who want to go law school because of its emphasis on conceptual thinking and public affairs.