Political Science Education Degree

Explore the Political Science Education Program

The study of Geography focuses on the study of the natural and human systems of the earth as well as
As politics are constantly influencing how we are governed and laws that are made, it’s important for the next generation to understand the concepts behind them. Government and civics courses are often part of middle school and high school curriculum. These courses cover topics such as the structure of government, political systems, civic responsibilities, and the function of democracy. Teachers with a Political Science background may also contribute to extracurricular activities such as model United Nations, mock trial, debate teams, and other programs that foster civic engagement and political awareness among students.

The Political Science Education program at WSC concentrates on five major areas: the operation of government, political behavior, political theory, public policy, and international relations. With a Political Science Education degree, you’ll be ready to teach government and civics classes to grades 6-12. Or, you can pursue advanced education to teach at a college or university level.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Endorsement information
The grade levels and subjects you want to teach are called endorsements, and depending on the type of endorsement, you are required to choose one or more in order to obtain your teaching certificate/license. The Political Science Education program at Wayne State is a subject endorsement, so you must choose another subject endorsement or a field endorsement to pair with this program. Learn more about endorsements.

Fast facts

Degree options: B.A. or B.S. in Political Science Education

Endorsement type: Subject endorsement
Learn more about endorsements.

Delivery format: On campus (Wayne)

Program credit hours: 75

Social sciences core (12 credit hours)
Political science content area courses (30 credit hours)
Education core courses (33 credit hours)

Note: Students must also take 30 credit hours of General Studies courses. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to graduate from WSC. Additional majors or minors can be added to help meet graduation requirements.

Schools: Arts and Humanities, Education and Behavioral Sciences

Departments: History, Politics, and Geography; Educational Foundations and Leadership

Prepare for your future

Becoming a teacher

Field experience and clinical practice

As a student pursuing a teaching career in political science, you’ll complete field experiences and clinical practice. Some field experiences are embedded within the coursework of WSC’s educator preparation programs. Once you’ve completed the initial field experience requirements, you’ll then complete a semester of clinical practice (student teaching) in a school district chosen with the help of your adviser. During this semester, you’ll work closely with an experienced teacher to gain classroom experience.

Learn more about clinical practice

Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy (NENTA)

Student teaching is a requirement for teacher certification in all 50 states and provides you with critical real-life experience before gaining a classroom of your own. Only Wayne State College adds to this experience through the Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy (NENTA), a program that allows you to substitute teach as a junior and get paid, all while still earning your degree.

Learn more about NENTA

Student learning outcomes

Political Science programs

Explain the key concepts in government and law
Research using political science approaches
Apply critical thinking skills to issues in government and law
Explain the role of individuals in civic society and civic engagement

Education programs

Teacher candidates who successfully complete an education preparation program at Wayne State will be able to:

Create environments that support individual and collaborative learning using knowledge of how students grow and develop, along with individual differences and diverse cultures. (InTASC Standards 1-3)
Plan for instruction by applying content knowledge, a variety of instructional strategies, and multiple methods of assessment to connect concepts for learners in real-world applications. (InTASC Standards 4-8)
Engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to reflect on and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner. (InTASC Standard 9)
Seek leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with stakeholders, and to advance the profession. (InTASC Standard 10)

View InTASC Standards for Educator Preparation

Topics covered

Political Science topics covered

Institutions and political processes of the national government
Basic concepts of world political activity
Political theories
American politics
Public administration and policy
International relations
Research methods, concepts, process, measurement, design, data analysis, and report writing

Education topics covered

Developing government, civics, and political science curriculum for grades 6-12
Teaching as a profession
Human learning processes and behavior
Instructional design methodologies, implementation, and evaluation
Educational collaboration and equitable learning opportunities
Classroom management

Admission to Wayne State College does not guarantee entry into its educator preparation programs. Students planning to pursue professional education must undergo a background check along with meeting other requirements (benchmarks) and advance through three levels of preparation required to become a teacher.

Level One - Preparing for Teacher Candidacy
In this level, students apply for educator preparation and complete some of the preliminary coursework of the program. Students will need to pass an initial background check as well. View all Level One benchmarks.

Level Two - Preparing for Clinical Practice
In Level Two, students will prepare for student teaching by passing the required courses, meeting evidence to show their readiness, and pass a complete background check. View all Level Two benchmarks.

Level Three - Clinical Practice
Level Three is the final level and includes the successful completion of clinical practice and meeting the degree requirements for graduation from Wayne State. Students will also register to take the Praxis Exam. Passing the Praxis Exam is not a graduation requirement; however, it is required to earn a teaching license for the state in which you want to teach. View all Level Three benchmarks.

Benchmarks and Levels of Educator Preparation

Teacher certification

After successfully completing a teacher education program at Wayne State, you’ll submit your application to become a licensed teacher in Nebraska.

Initial Teacher Certification

State licensure disclosure

Wayne State's Political Science Education program is designed to prepare students for teacher licensure or certification in Nebraska. It has not been determined if these programs meet requirements for all other states.

If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Nebraska, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.

Political Science Education Licensure Disclosure for all States About State Authorization and Licensure

Graduates with a degree in Political Science Education teach in schools using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College.

Career possibilities:

Political science teacher
U.S. government teacher
Law teacher
History teacher

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Social sciences core courses (12 credit hours)

Credits: 3
Description: A global survey of the geographic interrelationships between people and their environments.
Choose one of the following history courses:
- HIS 310 The Renaissance and Reformation (3 credits) – This course surveys the fundamental changes in European society that resulted from the Renaissance and Reformation from 1450 to 1650.
- HIS 315 The Age of Enlightenment (3 credits) – This course surveys European history focused on the history of ideas, politics, and culture during the long eighteenth century.
- HIS 360 Colonial and Revolutionary America (3 credits) - Traces the growth of America from the first settlements to the establishment of the Constitution in 1789.
- HIS 385 America, 1945 to the Present (3 credits) - A survey of America in the latter half of the century. Topics include World War II, Industrialism, the Cold War, and changes in American domestic and foreign policies.
- HIS 425 History of the British Empire (3 credits) – his course examines the culture, economy, and politics of the British Empire from the loss of the American colonies in the late 18th century through the 20th century. It will examine the reciprocal relationship between Great Britain and two types of colonies: those of conquest in such areas as the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, and those of settlements such as those in North America and the Antipodes. This course will pay special attention to nationalist responses to the British Empire and more contemporary legacies.
- HIS 447 Warfare and Society in World History (3 credits) – This course examines the role of class, race, and gender in warfare, from the earliest recorded wars to the most recent conflicts through a broad range of readings. Students will also conduct a formal research project.
Choose one of the following political science courses:
- POS 350 The American Presidency (3 credits) - The study and analysis of the development of the contemporary presidency, presidential powers, responsibilities, and political relationships.
- POS 355 Politics of the Supreme Court (3 credits) - This course focuses on the political forces that shape the Supreme Court’s decision-making process. Landmark cases will be closely examined and placed in their political, cultural, and historical context. In addition, students will examine different theories of adjudication, the selection process, and the Supreme Court’s relationship with the other political branches.
- POS 365 Comparative Government and Politics (3 credits) - Analysis and comparison of the political systems and processes of selected countries.
- POS 420 American Constitutional Law (3 credits) - A study of the U.S. Constitution and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the Constitution: judicial review, governmental powers, and rights of citizens, including both civil and criminal rights.
- POS 425 Rights and Liberties (3 credits) - A study of the Bill of Rights and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations on its provisions. Subjects include freedoms of religion, freedoms of speech, freedom of the press, the right to keep and bear arms, search and seizure, the right to counsel, cruel and unusual punishment, discrimination, and the right to privacy.
- POS 445 Public Administration and Management (3 credits) - Concepts of public administration and management processes, introduction to administrative processes of personnel, budgeting, and program management; analysis of public bureaucracy’s function from a public policy perspective.
Choose one of the following courses:
- POS 430 Public Policy (3 credits) - The study of domestic policy making processes and institutions at all levels, taught from an intergovernmental relations perspective.
- 395 Independent Study (3 credits) - Advanced reading and research in special problems, resulting in written evidence of quality work completed. Prerequisite: 3.3 cumulative GOA. Instructor, department chair, and Honors Program director approval.
- 499 Senior Honors Colloquium (3 credits) – Seminar presentations. Students present senior project during honors colloquium presentations on campus either in spring or fall term. Prerequisite: 3 hours of 395, cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better, and a major GPA of 3.3 or better.

Political Science content area courses (30 credit hours)

Credits: 3
Description: The study of the institutions and political processes of the national government.
Credits: 3
Description: An introduction to the basic concepts of world political activity, offering a broad overview of the application of political science to world politics and international relations.
Credits: 3
Description: This seminar allows detailed examination of one or more of the historical and current theoretical positions in political science. Among the possible topics are: classical theory of government, non-western theories, revolutionary theory, American political theory, and the European political tradition.
Credits: 3
Description: This course combines the study of basic research methods in the social sciences with an exploration of key statistical procedures used in social science data analysis. This course covers methodological concepts, the steps in the research process, measurement, research design, data analysis and report writing. Students are introduced to analysis of research reported in professional literature. This course includes computer applications for statistical analysis.
Prerequisite: 9 hours of coursework in the social sciences, and 3 hours of mathematics or BUS 122 personal Finance in Modern Society
Choose two of the following courses for 6 credit hours:
- POS 350 The American Presidency (3 credits) – The study and analysis of the development of the contemporary presidency, presidential powers, responsibilities, and political relationships.
- POS 355 Politics of the Supreme Court (3 credits) – This course focuses on the political forces that shape the Supreme Court’s decision-making process. Landmark cases will be closely examined and placed in their political, cultural, and historical context. In addition, students will examine different theories of adjudication, the selection process, and the Supreme Court’s relationship with the other political branches.
- POS 420 American Constitutional Law (3 credits) – A study of the U.S. Constitution and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the Constitution: judicial review, governmental powers, and rights of citizens, including both civil and criminal rights.
- POS 425 Rights and Liberties (3 credits) – A study of the Bill of Rights and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations on its provisions. Subjects include freedoms of religion, freedoms of speech, freedom of the press, the right to keep and bear arms, search and seizure, the right to counsel, cruel and unusual punishment, discrimination, and the right to privacy.
- POS 444 Topics in Political Science (3 credits) – Current or special issues in political science will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to discuss relevant issues facing society. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics.
Choose two of the following courses for 6 credit hours:
- POS 402 State and Local Politics (3 credits) – The study of the political institutions and process at state and local levels.
- POS 410 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3 credits) – Public policy analysis consists of systematically exploring alternatives to defined public policy problems. Program evaluation consists of post hoc examination of the process and impact of public policy. This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and practice of public policy and program evaluation. Students will learn qualitative and quantitative methodological skills used in these processes and employ these skills in research. Prerequisite: POS 430 Public Policy.
- POS 444 Topics in Political Science (3 credits) – Current or special issues in political science will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to discuss relevant issues facing society. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics.
- POS 445 Public Administration and Management (3 credits) – Concepts of public administration and management processes, introduction to administrative processes of personnel, budgeting, and program management; analysis of public bureaucracy’s function from a public policy perspective.
- SSC 319 Statistics for the Social Sciences (3 credits) – Introduction to the statistical measures commonly used in Social Sciences research and their application to research problems in the various social sciences disciplines. Includes use of computer statistical packages for social sciences. Prerequisite: 3 hours of math.
Choose one of the following courses for 3 credit hours:
- POS 365 Comparative Government and Politics (3 credits) – Analysis and comparison of the political systems and processes of selected countries.
- POS 444 Topics in Political Science (3 credits) – Current or special issues in political science will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to discuss relevant issues facing society. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics.
The 3 hours of electives selected from the courses below are at the student’s discretion in consultation with the academic advisor.
Choose 3 hours from the following courses:
- ECO 430 International Economics (3 credits) – A study of the principles and theories of international trade, finance, foreign investment, barriers to trade, and international economic cooperation. This course provides the necessary tools to interpret, evaluate and analyze the changing international economy. Prerequisite: 3 hours of economics.
- GEO 300 Human Geography (3 credits) – Application of geographic principles to examine the social, economic, and political activities of human cultures. Emphasis is on the concepts of culture, culture areas, migration, diffusion, social space, territoriality, environmental perception, and cultural landscape.
- GEO 305 Political Geography (3 credits) – A study of geographic factors as they pertain to national and international political problems.
- HIS 360 Colonial and Revolutionary America (3 credits) – Traces the growth of America from the first settlements to the establishment of the Constitution in 1789.
- HIS 370 Early National America (3 credits) – Traces American history from the establishment of the Constitution in 1789 to the end of the War of 1812. Focuses on the contributions of the Founding Fathers -Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison - and on the impact of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
- HIS 380 America, Civil War Era (3 credits) – A detailed survey of the political, legal, economic, and social issues of the Antebellum period, Civil War, the era of Reconstruction, the expansion of the West, and the growth of industrialism.
- HIS 385 America, 1945 to the Present (3 credits) – A survey of America in the latter half of the century. Topics include World War II, Industrialism, the Cold War, and changes in American domestic and foreign policies.
- PSY 316 Social Psychology (3 credits) – The scientific discipline that investigates social influences that appear to produce similarities and differences in human behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 101 General Psychology or SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology.
- SOC 320 Social Welfare (3 credits) – Designed for those interested in understanding social welfare systems, public assistance processes and policies, social services programs, client/patron relations, current issues associated with welfare programming, and the influences of politics of social welfare. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.

Educator preparation core (33 credit hours)

Credits: 3

Description: Students are introduced to teaching as a profession through the historical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of educational systems. Students will explore various aspects of education, as well as their beliefs and values about teaching and learning through the exploration of professional knowledge, practice, and values. This course may include a field experience.
Credits: 0
Description: This course is designed for students in Level 1 of WSC’s educator preparation programs who are progressing into Level 2. Students will receive valuable information including, but not limited to, admission, program progression, degree and certification requirements, the use of portfolio software, professional dispositions for success, etc.

Notes: Graded S/NC
Credits: 3
Description: Students construct a conceptual basis for understanding the growth and development of learners. Theories of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development are explored in order to better understand the importance of the nurturing role of the teacher in human development and learning. Students begin to understand the human learning process and individual differences in how learners think and behave based on their unique characteristics. Students study theoretical models and the integration of models for planning and facilitating effective and differentiated experiences for diversified learners. This course will include field experience.
Prerequisite: EDU 150 Introduction to Professional Education
Corequisite: EDU 245 Preparing for Level 2: Teacher Candidacy
Credits: 3
Description: Students will practice instructional design methodologies or analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. To explore and learn to recognize their biases, including but not limited to sexism, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, students will develop an awareness of the impact such biases have on their interpersonal relations. Students will be challenged to reflect on how they can relate more effectively to other individuals and groups in a pluralistic society in order to promote equitable approaches to instructional design. This course fulfills the human relations component established by the Nebraska Department of Education. This course may include a field experience.
Prerequisites: EDU 150 Introduction to Professional Education and EDU 250 Human Development and Cognition must be taken concurrently or prior to this course.
Credits: 2
Description: This course outlines the essentials of the reading processes and skills necessary for secondary students to become proficient learners of content, the incorporation of reading instruction into content delivery, and examination of the Nebraska Language Arts standards. The course also provides candidates with a solid foundation in educational assessment.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks)
This course must be taken to meet the requirement for 3 semester hours of professional education coursework in pedagogical content knowledge.
Credits: 3
Description: This course examines the essential knowledge, skills, dispositions, and innovative applications of content needed for effective teaching in the 21st century. Specific content-area topics include instructional planning for differentiated instruction; effective strategies, techniques, materials, and assessment methods; reading and writing in the content area; classroom management; and the relationship of the content area to standards-based curriculum. To be taken concurrently with EDU 414 Content Area Practicum Experience.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks)
Credits: 1
Description: This 80-clock hour minimum content specific clinical experience (60 hours in classroom plus 20 hours in activities related to teaching) is designed to induct students into classroom teaching and develop an awareness of the many roles of a professional educator. Under the mentorship of a practicing K-12 educator, students will assist/co-teach/teach. Students will also actively participate in school-related activities commonly encountered by professional educators.
Prerequisites: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks), and successful completion or concurrent enrollment in EDU 409 Content Area Methods and Materials
Credits: 0
Description: This course is designed for graduate students in Level 2 of WSC’s educator preparation program who are progressing into Level 3 and those completing clinical practice to change endorsement levels. Two virtual sessions will be held at the beginning of each academic session for graduate teacher candidates planning to student teach in the following semester. Graduate teacher candidates will attend one of the two virtual sessions to receive valuable information including, but not limited to, how to apply for Clinical Practice, an overview of Clinical Practice requirements, rules regarding placement choices and department approval requirements.

Dual-listed: EDU 545
Notes: Graded S/NC
Credits: 12
Description: A semester course of full-day learning experiences in a secondary setting under the supervision of a cooperating 7-12 classroom teacher, a supervisor from the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and a faculty member from the appropriate content area. On-campus seminars will be offered periodically throughout the semester. This is the culminating experience of the secondary pre-service educator preparation program. Students in the Career Scholars Program will enroll for 3 credit hours in their first semester and 12 credit hours in their second semester (this course may be repeated by residency students only). All other students will enroll in 6 or 12 credit hours in one semester. Graded S/NC.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Clinical Practice (successful completion of Level 2 Benchmarks)
Notes: Graded S/NC. Students in the Growing Together residency program will enroll for 3 credit hours in their first semester and 12 credit hours in their second semester (this course may be repeated by residency students only). All other students will enroll in 6 or 12 credit hours in one semester
Credits: 3
Description: The course will explore applications of methods and strategies within elementary and secondary settings to provide equitable learning opportunities within least restrictive learning environments for all students. An emphasis is placed on communication and collaboration among professionals and families to ensure the needs of all students are met.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks)
Credits: 3
Description: Understanding social and emotional development of all learners while considering Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Emphasis on implications for the inclusive learning environment; promotion of social competence; awareness of prosocial skills; and effective utilization of responsive relationships. Completing the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) process and developing the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) product to meet the needs of secondary learners.
Prerequisite: Acceptance to Educator Preparation (successful completion of Level 1 Benchmarks)

Popular pairings

Many students at Wayne State will add an extra endorsement to make themselves more marketable and expand their teaching abilities. Students who recently majored in Political Science Education at Wayne State also paired this program with one or more of the following endorsements

View all majors and minors