Political Studies
Examine political issues facing Canada and the global community. Develop your analytical and communication skills. Learn from a former Premier of Saskatchewan. Experience politics as an assistant to a Member of the Legislative Assembly. These are just a few opportunities available to you when you choose to major in Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan.
What is Political Studies?
Political Studies examines how people organize their collective affairs. Students learn about governance, elections, political parties, public policy, political leadership, lobby groups, the media’s influence on politics, Third World development, political ideas, democracy, Aboriginal governance and globalization.
I am incredibly thankful for having picked the Political Studies department at U of S as my undergraduate home. The professionalism and genuine concern of the professors reflects their dedication to the success of students. I am fortunate to have been taught by such high caliber scholars! My experience in Political Studies was provocative, stimulating, interactive and engaging. The department has created an environment that is rigorous and at the same time relaxed and friendly. I have been instilled with confidence in my abilities to use the knowledge and critical thinking skills that I have gained throughout my program. I am now confident that I have a solid foundation to pursue graduate studies at McGill University. My experience has been invaluable!—Christine Kennedy, B.A. (High Honours) 2006
A Stepping Stone...
A degree in Political Studies prepares students for post-graduate studies in political science and a variety of other fields such as law, journalism, business administration and education. Many students go on to study at top universities around the world.
Career Opportunities
There are exciting career opportunities for Political Studies graduates in government, public and private interest groups, political campaign organizations, non-governmental organizations (domestic and global), consulting, educational administration and professional research.
Political Studies graduates may become policy analysts in government or the private sector, personal assistants to cabinet ministers, parliamentary reporters for national newspapers, or professional lobbyists. Others pursue careers in public opinion polling, voting analysis or as political commentators in Canada and abroad.
Major corporations recruit Political Studies students. Recent graduates have been recruited for the following positions:
- Assistant Registrar, University of Saskatchewan
- Policy & Research Officer, Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation
- Communications Strategist, Western Hemisphere Summit
- Director, Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, New York
- Director of Research, Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce
- Senior Consultant, GPC Public Affairs, Ottawa
- Member, Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly
- Political Adviser, Privy Council Office, Ottawa
- Policy Planning Analyst, Environment Canada, Edmonton
- Trade Commissioner, Canadian Foreign Service, Havana, Cuba
- Youth Policy Analyst, Office of the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation, Regina
- Analyst, Human Resources Development Canada, Employment Policy Directorate
- Public Affairs Officer, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, Ottawa
The U of S Advantage
The undergraduate Political Studies program at the U of S has a reputation of being among the best medium-size programs in Canada. Roy Romanow, former Royal Commissioner on the Future of Health Care in Canada, and former Premier of Saskatchewan, is a Senior Fellow in Public Policy in Political Studies where he teaches and shares with students his extensive insights on various aspects of governance, including public administration, public policy and public management.
Political Studies works with the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina in delivering the Legislative Internship Program. Senior and graduating Political Studies students may apply for this program, in which they have an opportunity to work as assistants for individual members of the Legislative Assembly. Students may also apply to similar internship programs within other jurisdictions or national or international organizations; information on these programs is available at the University. The
Career Internship Program, which places students with organizations and businesses in Saskatoon, allows students to gain practical skills and experience in a workplace setting while receiving academic credit by completing projects relevant to various potential career options.
The Department of Political Studies offers an exciting Master's degree program that, unlike many other political science graduate programs, is one year in length. Because the Department is small in comparison to other political science departments in Canada, there is closer contact between students and faculty in course and thesis work.
Choose Your Program!
The Department of Political Studies offers courses in five subfields:
- Canadian Government and Politics - the study of Canadian Government and Politics at the national, provincial and municipal levels.
- Comparative Politics and Area Studies - the study of political systems in the world on a comparative or regional basis.
- International Relations - the study of how state and non-state actors relate to each other in the international system.
- Political Thought - the study of ideas that underlay politics and government.
- Public Administration and Public Policy - the study of administrative policy and policy-making in government and in Aboriginal organizations in Canada, and at the regional and international level.
A Major in Political Studies
Students majoring in Political Studies can choose from one of the following degrees:
- B.A. Three-year
- B.A. Four-year
- B.A. Honours
Students pursuing a Four-year or Honours degree concentrate their studies in one of the five subfields and take courses in at least three of them. The Department's Honours program has been one of the strongest in the College of Arts & Science over the last 15 years.
As a department, we are small enough to be able to know our students well and yet large enough to offer a wide range of political science courses. My students have exciting opportunities to do research on and learn the challenges of development, democratization and leadership in developing countries from a current field perspective.—Professor Jeffrey Steeves
Outstanding Faculty
- Professor Ron Wheeler, a leading expert on international terrorism, has been recognized three times in Maclean's Guide to Canadian Universities as an outstanding teacher.
- Professor Jeffrey Steeves won the College of Arts and Science's Teaching Excellence Award in 2002.
- Ken Pontikes, Sessional Lecturer in Political Studies, is the Academic Director of the Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program.
Getting Involved!
As a student in Political Studies, you will find many opportunities in which to get involved. The Political Studies and Public Administration Students’ Society (PASS) is one of the leading student organizations on campus and it organizes academic and social events for students. From political film nights to hockey trips to pool nights with the professors, PASS organizes a variety of events that give students the opportunity to interact with other students and faculty on an informal basis.
Admission Requirements
The following is a list of high school subjects required for admission. Please select the province/territory where you completed high school.
Additional Information
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