Overview

As a public administration student at Calvin, you'll take classes in politics, business, economics and public policy. You can also gain valuable experience in the field by doing an internship as part of Calvin's semester programs in Chicago or Washington, D.C. or by participating in Calvin's many political student organizations.

Careers in Public Administration

• State Representative
• Police Officer
• Judge
• Special Interests Advocate
• More

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Spend a semester in Washington D.C.; Participate in Model UN or Amnesty International; Run for Student Senate; Write for or edit the Chimes.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Public Administration major

(33 semester hours)

• POLS-101 American Politics
• One course from:
  • POLS-202 American State and Local Politics
  • POLS-208 Urban Politics
• POLS-207 Introduction to International Politics
• POLS-209 Public Administration
• POLS-212 American Public Policy
• POLS-240 Political Ideas in Historical Perspective
• POLS-251 Methods in Political Analysis
• One course from:
  • POLS-102 Canadian Politics
  • POLS-271 Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective
  • POLS-272 Global Democratization
  • POLS-275 European Politics
  • POLS-276 Latin American Politics
  • POLS-277 Asian Politics
  • POLS-279 African Politics
• One course from:
  • POLS-208 Urban Politics
  • POLS-310 Constitutional Law and Judicial Process
  • POLS-314 The President and Congress
  • POLS-317 Parties and Elections
  • POLS-318 American Politics and Mass Media
• One internship in either State/Local Government or Washington, D.C. (minimum 6 hours)
• One political science elective (if needed to fulfill 33 hr. major requirement)

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

Ronald Buikema Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $2,200
• senior pursuing a pre-law program or graduate program in politics or government
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need not required; preference to graduates of any Chicago are high schools
• apply through the Calvin Portal

DeKryger-Monsman Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $2,400
• freshman, sophomore, junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required; demonstrate academic excellence
• apply through the political science department

Honorable John Feikens Memorial Pre-Law Scholarship

• award amount: $3,600
• junior or senior
• financial need considered; pursuing a pre-law program or a degree in political science;planning to attend law school
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Peace and Justice Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• sophomore, junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need not required; be actively involved with global peace and justice issues
• apply through the political science department

Dr. James Penning Scholarship

• award amount: $3,000
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.2+
• financial need not required; be interested in a career in state and local government
• apply through the political science department

Kenneth L. Ryskamp Scholarship

• award amount: $4,400
• sophomore, junior or senior
• GPA of 3.3+
• financial need required; demonstrate Christian faith and indicate how their Christian faith will be used in the practice of law and how they plan to use their law degree to benefit the Kingdom
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Charles Strikwerda Scholarship in Political Science

• award amount: $2,000
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need not required
• apply through the political science department

Jacob and Rena Van Dellen Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Lyle and Barbara (Duimstra) Voskuil Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,600
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required; preference to those interested in international and global relationships
• apply through the political science department or the economics department

Wallace (Dutch) and Olive Waalkes Memorial Scholarship

• award amount: $2,800
• junior or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required; preference to seniors
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Johan and Wilma Westra Scholarship

• award amount: $1,000
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required; preference to those who are active in volunteer work and with a career goal in public service
• apply through the political science department

View all scholarship opportunities

Faculty

Kevin den Dulk Associate Professor, Department of Political Science DC 261K krd33@calvin.edu (616) 526-6234 Simona Goi Associate Professor Department of Political Science DCC 261J sgoi@calvin.edu (616) 526-6459 Mikael Pelz Assistant Professor Department of Political Science DC 261-I mlp23@calvin.edu (616) 526-6232

Corwin Smidt Dir. of P. Henry Institute, Professor Department of Political Science smid@calvin.edu (616) 526-6233 Joel Westra Associate Professor Department of Political Science DCC 261H jhw3@calvin.edu (616) 526-6727