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(STAGING) Political Studies
Minor

A Rigorous Read on How Power Actually Works
Learn to take an argument apart, weigh the evidence, and build a better one.
The Political Studies Minor at Goshen College is an undergraduate minor that examines the ideas, institutions, and power structures shaping U.S. and global politics. You study political theory, government, history, peace and justice, and then test those ideas against real cases in small, discussion-based classes.
It sharpens the analysis behind whatever field you choose. You work closely with experienced faculty, and evaluate complex issues at the intersection of politics, history, economics, and culture.

Where a Political Studies Minor Leads
Goshen alumni have gone on to graduate school, law school, government work, and leadership in peace-building, business, and diplomacy. The minor builds toward fields including law, public policy, international relations, nonprofit leadership, public service, journalism, education, and advocacy. View the complete program requirements in our catalog

What You’ll Study
- Law & Pre-Law: Pair the minor with the History Pre-Law track to build the reading, writing, and argument skills law schools look for.
- Government & International Relations: Study U.S. and international politics, then connect it to the wider world through Goshen’s Study-Service Term.
- Policy, Advocacy & Nonprofit Work: Move into public policy, nonprofit leadership, journalism, and advocacy with the analytical and communication skills the minor builds.

Politics You Practice, Not Just Read About
Intern, research, and travel while you minor.
As a political studies minor you can intern with local government offices, advocacy groups, law firms, or international NGOs. Then, you conduct original research, present at regional academic conferences, and contribute to campus work on civic engagement and social justice. You also have access to the Good Library’s humanities collections and dedicated faculty offices.
Through Goshen’s Study-Service Term, you connect global political concepts to real-world experience in a different culture. It is the part of Goshen that sends you out into the world rather than keeping you in.
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Paying For Goshen
Scholarships make up a large portion of Goshen financial aid packages, which average almost $26,000 per student, not counting work-study or loans. For your real cost after aid, run the net price calculator and talk with a financial aid counselor. International students can ask the financial aid office directly about the aid available to them.
Common Questions About the Political Studies Minor
It is rigorous. You learn to read primary sources, weigh evidence, build and defend arguments, and evaluate complex issues at the intersection of politics, history, economics, and culture. Goshen teaches it in small, discussion-based classes where 91% have fewer than 30 students, so your reasoning is tested directly.
The minor builds toward law, public policy, international relations, nonprofit leadership, public service, journalism, education, and advocacy. Goshen alumni have gone on to graduate school, law school, government work, and leadership in peacebuilding, business, and diplomacy, with 93% of graduates employed, in graduate school, or in service within a year.
It pairs naturally with history, history pre-law, peace and justice, communication, business, and English, among others. The minor adds the analytical and communication skills behind law, government, and policy to whatever major you choose, which is why students heading toward law school or public service often add it.
Yes. You can intern with local government offices, advocacy groups, law firms, or international NGOs, and conduct original research. Through Goshen’s Study-Service Term, about 50% of students study abroad, connecting global political concepts to real-world experience in a different culture.
A minor has no separate cost. Students in the political studies program are eligible for academic scholarships and additional aid through the Goshen College Financial Aid Office, which reviews each student for institutional awards alongside their primary major.
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