Department of Political Science
Experiences & Opportunities
Law Professions Advisory Committee (LawPAC)
LawPAC provides students interested in a legal career with information and advising to help them make the best choices possible. Under the direction of LAWPAC, the Pre-Law Advisor works to provide each student with a variety of opportunities to explore the different careers possible in the law, to prepare for and succeed in the law school application process, to gain access to the greatest possible amount of information on law schools, and to make the best choice of school and career in light of his/her interests and abilities.
Westminster students have had a great deal of success in gaining acceptance to law school. Many Westminster graduates have attended the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Dickinson, and Case Western Reserve Law Schools. In addition, in recent years Westminster graduates have been admitted to a wide variety of nationally-ranked and prestigious law schools, such as Georgetown University, Washington and Lee University, Boston University, George Washington University, William and Mary, The Ohio State University, Southern Methodist University, and Villanova University, among others.
Mock Convention
Westminster College has the second oldest Mock Convention in the country. Every four years since 1936, except for 1944, Westminster College has held a Mock Convention for the party out of power.
Students portray the candidates who are the current front-runners according to recent polls and the Mock Convention Committee plans and organizes a mock replica of the national party convention for the political party not currently in office. The convention is held each presidential election year with students forming state or regional delegations to rally their candidate for the presidency.
Model United Nations
Model United Nations at Westminster College is designed to help students learn about the world and its numerous cultures, social and political systems and to foster understanding and active cooperation among people of all backgrounds.
Participation in MUN is designed to prepare its members to be leaders of the greater global community, whether at the local or international level.
Internships
Internships and other professional work experiences in your field of study provide a meaningful real-world component to your education and your resume. Internships can also lead to valuable networking opportunities and can even lead to full-time employment after graduation.
Political Science majors have interned at many sites, including the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office and in the offices of several state and congressional representatives.
Learn more about internships and the other opportunities available through our Office of Professional Development & Community Engagement .
Washington Semester Program
Westminster students can enroll in this unique program that helps students land internships in Washington D.C. The Washington Semester Program, hosted by American University, provides the unique opportunity to be part of a global network of doers, thinkers, innovators, and changemakers.
Internship experiences are available in areas such as politics, government, international affairs, foreign policy and non-profits.
Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research
The Drinko Center supports student research and creative work in all majors and at all academic levels. Drinko provides financial grants that support student projects or travel to national conferences.
The Center also organizes the Undergraduate Research and Arts Celebration (URAC), a day-long event showcasing the collaborative work between Westminster faculty and students.
Study Abroad
Studying abroad is a life-changing educational experience for many of our students. Our Office of Global Engagement developed different kinds of study abroad opportunities, designed to meet varying curricular and economic situations.
We offer traditional semester-long, individual study abroad opportunities in more than 30 countries. Also, students can elect to take short-term study abroad opportunities, such as a May travel course, or a Study Tour, which is a travel experience tied to a regular on-campus course or co-curricular program.
Professional Networking Symposium
Open to all majors, the Professional Networking Symposium is an annual event designed to help students and young alumni better understand potential paths after graduation, including career and graduate school options.
The Symposium includes a career fair, breakout sessions and the opportunity to learn to network. Sessions are designed to address specific topics and interests and are moderated by experienced professionals.
Honors Program
Westminster College’s Honors Program believes that the life of the mind is best cultivated when students take what they have learned in the classroom and go out into the world. That’s why our program builds international travel into its sequence of interdisciplinary, global honors seminars with a trip to Greece.
The curriculum gives you the opportunity to learn about human history and nature from multiple perspectives, while also supporting the development of strong leadership, communication, and writing skills. It will also connect you to a vibrant community of students from across campus who are excited about learning.
Center for the Environment
The mission of the Center for the Environment is to connect people with each other and the natural world. CfE strives to create an understanding of the dynamic relationships among society, our environment, and the economy. Students from all majors benefit from the Center’s programming and resources, which are designed to foster critical thinking, creative expression, data collection and analysis, ethical judgements, entrepreneurial endeavors, and human wellbeing.
CfE initiatives include the Westminster Bee Company, a student-led business that hand-bottles and sells the honey produced in the almost 30 beehives that make up the Westminster College apiary.
Westminster Entrepreneurship Center (WEC)
WEC offers students in any major the opportunity to be exposed to concept creation, innovation of ideas and business ownership strategies. These activities are nurtured through practiced entrepreneurial exposures, state-of-the-art facilities, leadership collaboration, dynamic entrepreneurial engagements, competitions and events designed to offer students an unparalleled exposure to real world practical experiences.
Student Organizations & Honor Societies
Student Government Association
Westminster’s SGA functions in the same manner as the United States Congress and the executive branch of the U.S. government. The executive branch includes the student body president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and an appointed cabinet. The legislative branch consists of senators who are elected each year based on class standing to represent the students in the College community. Senators work with the administration and faculty of the College to determine the policies and concerns of Westminster.
Student Pre-Law Society
The aim of the Westminster Student Pre-Law Association is to provide support and a forum for students interested in attending law school and pursuing a career in the law. The main focus of the group is to provide information concerning options available in a legal career, the process of applying to and choosing a law school, and the kinds of undergraduate coursework and experience that provide the best preparation for law school. Membership is open to all Westminster students who have interest in the legal profession and wish to become better informed and enhance their qualifications for law school.