What Can You Do with a Political Science Degree?
Our alumni have gone on to distinguish themselves in numerous other fields by becoming urban planners, communications directors, military officers, intelligence professionals, professors and leaders in many other fields.
Recent graduates have:
- Pursued graduate degrees in political science, political communications, public policy or economics at Alabama, American, Connecticut, East Carolina, George Washington, Georgia State, George Mason University, Maryland, North Carolina-Greensboro, North Carolina State, SUNY-Buffalo, Syracuse, Southern California, Temple, Villanova, Virginia Tech and numerous other institutions
- Entered law school at George Washington, North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Northeastern, Roger Williams, Syracuse, Valparaiso, South Carolina, Wake Forest, West Virginia and many other programs
- Won election to West Virginia’s state assembly
- Directed new media public relations for a large television network
- Became staff members in congressional and senatorial offices
- Joined the national offices of the College Republican National Committee
- Directed a non-profit organization in Syracuse
- Served as the research director and campaign director for the Nevada Democratic Senate Caucus
- Joined the United Way as a program director
- Worked for the National Rifle Association
- Taught English in South Korea
- Served with AmeriCorps
- Worked on Wall Street as an investment bank analyst
In most years, around half of our department’s graduates have chosen to continue their professional training in either law school or masters and doctoral programs that specialize in campaign management, law, economics, foreign affairs, public policy, international business, history or political science. Our curriculum prepares graduates to flourish in even the most demanding of graduate programs by helping them to build first-rate writing, research and analytical skills.
Featured Graduate Outcomes:

Elizabeth Pellegrini, ’17 – Attending Law School at the College of William & Mary
“HPU provided so many opportunities for me to get involved on campus as early as my freshmen year. Not only was I a member of clubs and organizations, but I was given the chance to serve on executive boards as well. Founding a nationally recognized business fraternity my freshman year taught me leadership and communication skills that have proven to be invaluable. All the while, I had professors at HPU who were always cheering me on and pushing me to be my best.”
Jacob Foster, ’15 – Pursuing Master of Divinity at Boston University
“High Point’s liberal arts approach was really helpful for me finding my path. I came here as an education major, but had a change of heart early on. This university provided space for me to explore possibilities. I thought I would like a career in politics and I was given the connections to get an internship with a United States Senator.“

Kyle Grusholt, ’14 – Law school at UNC-Chapel Hill
“I was able to gain the leadership and communications skills to help me in any situation that could arise in the real world, in part due to outstanding faculty and peers. They provided me with the support and encouragement to seek topics that intrigued me intellectually, and follow those interests no matter how difficult the road ahead may seem.”
Ashley Prindle, ’14 – Law school at The University of New Hampshire
“Through my coursework, the caring and supportive faculty, and my two advisors, Dr. Yanus and Dr. Ingram, who were both very knowledgeable about graduate school, I was able to achieve my goal of attending the University of New Hampshire School of law.”
Tyler Steelman, ’14 – Graduate school at Appalachian State University for master’s degree in political science
“The experiential learning curriculum has given me confidence in my abilities and I know that I am ready for my next step. Also, my work as Student Government President has given me the opportunity to work on my communication and leadership skills to enforce the concepts I learned in the President’s Seminar my freshman year.”
In recent years, department alumni have enrolled in law school at:
- Elon
- George Washington
- Liberty
- Northeastern University
- Roger Williams
- Syracuse
- University of Kentucky
- University of South Carolina
- Valparaiso
- Villanova
- Wake Forest
Recent department graduates have entered graduate and professional schools across the nation, including:
- American University (intl. affairs, public administration, and political science)
- College of Charleston (public administration)
- Duke University (divinity school)
- East Carolina University (public administration)
- George Mason (international security)
- George Washington University – The Elliot School (intl. affairs)
- Georgia State (political science)
- High Point University (history)
- Institute of World Politics – Washington (intl. security)
- Moravian (divinity school)
- North Carolina State (economics)
- Southern Methodist University (divinity school)
- SUNY-Buffalo (political science)
- Syracuse University – The Maxwell School (intl. development)
- Temple University (economics)
- Texas A&M – George Bush School of Government (diplomacy, international affairs)
- University of Alabama (public administration)
- University of Connecticut (political science)
- University of Kentucky (history)
- University of Maryland (cybersecurity)
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (public policy, history)
- University of North Texas (military history)
- University of Pittsburgh (international development)
- University of Southern California – The Annenberg School (communications)
- Villanova (political science)
- Virginia Tech (public administration)
- Wake Forest (secondary education)
- Yale (divinity school)