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Political Science: Civic & Nonprofit Leadership

Also offered as: Political Science (Major)

Build the skills to lead in government, nonprofits, and public service. This option blends public administration, policy, and applied tools like GIS to prepare you for community impact, leadership roles, and graduate or law school.

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Political Science: Civic & Nonprofit Leadership

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Degree Level
Bachelor of Arts
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
8 Semesters
Credit Hours
120 Total, 40 in Major
Careers
Executives, Officers, General, Managers
Political Science: Civic & Nonprofit Leadership students at EIU

Why Study Political Science: Civic & Nonprofit Leadership at EIU?

  • Focus on leadership in U.S. government, public administration, nonprofits, and public policy.
  • Advanced coursework in public administration and geographic information systems
  • Prepare for careers in city management, urban and regional planning, nonprofit leadership, and government agencies
  • Establish a strong foundation for law school or graduate study
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"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
Political Science: Civic & Nonprofit Leadership | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, Political Science: Civic & Nonprofit Leadership at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Students complete internships with congressional offices, political campaigns, law offices, city managers, nonprofit organizations, and through Washington, D.C. programs.
  • Peace Corps Prep Program
  • Moot Court
  • Model Illinois Government
  • Model United Nations
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Political Science: Civic & Nonprofit Leadership students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The Civic and Nonprofit Leadership option in the B.A. in Political Science focuses on U.S. government leadership, nonprofit leadership and public policy. It is a fit if you want to lead in your community and enjoy solving problems with people.

4-Year Sequence Curriculum Advising Form
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$177,917
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Chief Executives
  • Chief Sustainability Officers
  • General & Operations Managers
  • Fundraising Managers
  • Medical & Health Services Managers
  • Social & Community Service Managers
  • Regulatory Affairs Managers
  • Compliance Managers

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Openings: Employers are expected to need at least 75,000 people for this career over the next several years. That count includes new jobs created by growth and spots opened when workers move on.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Openings / Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit EnterprisingEnterprising interest typeYou like business and leadership. This type of work includes managing, selling, marketing and leading, including in politics or law.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Connect With Us

Karen Swenson
Department Chair, Professor, and Pre-Law Coordinator, Political Science
kbswenson@eiu.edu
2321 Coleman Hall
217-581-2523
Karen Swenson Message Karen

Message Karen

or email kbswenson@eiu.edu directly
Michael Cornebise
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences & Professor, Geography
mwcornebise@eiu.edu
2214
217-581-7486
Michael Cornebise Message Michael

Message Michael

or email mwcornebise@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

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or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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