About the Program

The online Minor in Political Science examines the nature of politics from diverse perspectives. The program teaches students to think critically about the fundamental theories, principles, institutions, and practices of politics in social and historical contexts.

The curriculum explores the four main subfields of political science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory.

To declare a minor, complete the Change of Program form, which can also be found on the UMaine Student Records website and the UMaine Portal.

Students pursue a wide variety of career paths after graduation. They have reached positions in the federal and Maine state governments, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, law practices, and numerous other exciting careers. 

To learn about the accomplishments and achievements of some of our alums, visit umaine.edu/polisci/after-umaine.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of political scientists is projected to grow by 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 600 openings for political scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for a Political Scientist was $132,350 in May 2023, higher than the median yearly wage for all occupations of $48,060.