Political Science | Sociology
In her role as a Mustang Mentor at Mount Mercy University, Joselyn Hildebrand ’25 knows firsthand the impact she can have on the life of a new student on campus.
Change the world
The foundation for success and practical experience.
Learn to think better and analyze the world you live in, while sharpening valuable workplace skills. From our Hill to Capitol Hill, from political games to war games—Mount Mercy's political science degree develops future leaders in law, government, and international business.
When you major in political science at Mount Mercy, you’ll study courses in international relations, American politics, comparative politics, and political theory, building a solid foundation in strategy, government institutions, and relations between countries.
I worked on Monica Vernon’s campaign for Congress. It was my internship at first, but then I was offered a position there. I learned more about political procedures and how local politics work.
Curriculum
You’ll gain experience to make a difference.
Learn about China or Russia, while preparing to represent the United States at one of its foreign embassies.
A strong research focus is only part of the political science major. You’ll study under distinguished faculty members who have worked for the U.S. Congress, Executive Branch, and Federal Courts. They’ve helped students find valuable internship experiences in state and federal government, in campaign offices, and nonprofit organizations.
Study state and local governments while interning with a member of the Iowa Senate in Des Moines.
Does an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador or the Consulate in Osaka, Japan sound like your idea of education and work experience? Learn how to apply and develop the skills to succeed at Mount Mercy.
Autumn Miene '18
Legal Assistant
Autumn Miene ’18 graduated from Mount Mercy University pursuing an entirely different career than what she had imagined as a freshman. Her time at Mount Mercy helped her to discover her true passion.
Maggie Peterson '20
Political Science
Maggie Peterson had the chance to campaign and intern for Beto O’Rourke, her dream experience and hopefully future job.
John Kalis '04
Computer Science, Computer Informatics, & Applied Philosophy
John Kalis can trace the beginning of his career all the way back to Mount Mercy University.
What are the next steps?
Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.
We also encourage all students to apply for federal, state, and other kinds of financial assistance.
Learn more about:
- Federal and state grants and loans
- MMU-offered scholarships
- Tuition reimbursement from employers
- 10% tuition discount for employees of partner organizations
- Veterans benefits
We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.
- Create your application
- Apply under standard admissions criteria or go "test optional"
- Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Mail to:
* Mount Mercy University Admissions
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
* If you are applying for an accelerated program, please mail to "Accelerated Programs"
For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.
Careers in political science
All the preparation pays off.
More than one in 20 jobs involve government work. Upon graduating, political science majors will have the expertise to excel in these positions. Political science will help you succeed in the court system, the FBI, or CIA. Work for your country while living aboard, forging a career in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Maximize business profits by learning more about U.S., foreign, and international regulations. Be prepared to flourish with knowledge of how large bureaucracies work and be ready to navigate them.Gain the skills to help others understand the world better through jobs in journalism or news media.
Change the world by becoming an expert in party politics or grass-roots campaigns.
Some career paths, such as lawyer, will require an advanced degree in addition to a BA in political science, while others do not require further studies.