Question # 1: What is the Government Major?

Answer: The government major involves the study of the philosophies, policies, and practices of political institutions and societies, both in the United States and abroad. The field of political science includes a variety of areas such as American government and politics, comparative (foreign) government, constitutional law, international relations, political theory, and public administration.

Question # 2: How is the Government Major Used?

Answer: The government major can be used in a number of areas including local, state, and federal governments and agencies; education; politics; and/or elective public office; law; corporate public affairs; interest groups and associations; journalism; research and consulting; and public service organizations.

Question # 3: What kinds of Career Choices are Available?

Answer: UVa-Wise government majors have entered many different areas of employment. A number have begun careers in the public sector including local, state, and federal levels of government. Others have entered the private sector in corporate and business affairs. Some government majors have gone on to attend the best law schools in Virginia and around the nation. And quite a few majors have prepared themselves to teach social studies in public schools with a number continuing their studies at the graduate level. There are a variety of career options available to government majors.

Question # 4: What student organizations are available to a Government Major?

Answer: Government major who are interested may wish to join the Young Democrats or the College Republicans. These groups are active throughout the year and especially during local, regional, and state political campaigns. they have been instrumental in bringing politicians to the campus for public lectures and debates. In addition,, there is a Government and Law Society that provides an assortment of activities to aspects of government, politics, and law, including a Mock Trial Team.

Question # 5: What about the Faculty?

The government professors hold doctorates in their field. they are committed instructors  and respected scholars at the same time. As instructors, they value close professional contact with their students. And as scholars, they have published a number of books including ones on Thomas Jefferson and American foreign policy; written articles and book reviews for professional journals, served as a journal's book review editor, edited a series of books, been active at scholarly conferences and in professional associations, and lectured both in the United States and abroad.