The political science department offers an abundant of opportunities for students to expand their educational experience at McDaniel. They include:

Honors Program
Students who receive Cs or better in all political science courses and maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA and a 3.5 GPA in political science by the end of their junior year are qualified for the entrance into the Honors Program. More…

Internships
The political science internship programs gives students the opportunity to apply research skills, learn about various career opportunities, and discover the correlation between academic political science and real world government. More…

Harvard Model United Nations Simulation
Student selected for McDaniel College's Harvard Model United Nations Team will be required to take a mini course to prepare them for competition. The students then fly to Boston to participate in the conference, and upon return they must submit a five-page typed critique of the experience. McDaniel's award winning Model UN teams have participated in the Harvard Simulation for 30 years. (2 credits)

Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference
The Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference provides an annual forum for outstanding undergraduates from around the world to meet and discuss major contemporary issues while learning about the Naval Academy and the U.S. Navy. McDaniel delegates who participate must prepare a paper to present at the conference and report on the conference when they return. (2 credits)

Maryland Student Legislature
Each year majors participate in the Maryland Student Legislature Simulation. Students draft, debate, and pass legislation that is of relevance to the actual Maryland state legislature. McDaniel College has a number of graduates who are members of the Maryland legislature.

Maryland State Legislature
Several students are selected to work in the Maryland State Legislature each year. Their work begins January term and might continue during second semester. Students regularly work with legislators and/or legislative committees and receive as many as six credits. A 10-page research paper and personal journal is required upon return.

Students celebrating after a
Mock TrailMock Trial Competition
The goal of college mock trial is to facilitate the growth of the individual student as a person able to work with and support others, as a knowledgeable citizen acquainted with the legal system, and as a community leader working for the betterment of humanity. The students selected for participation write briefs and present an oral to defend their client in a hypothetical case. (2 credits)

Model European Union
Every year in November, majors participate in the Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation, where students create, debate, and pass a resolution of immediate interest and concern to the European Union. McDaniel's award winning mock trial team is in the process of reorganization.

Phi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society)
Students are eligible for Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, if they have attained academic distinction in political science and all other academic work. More about the society…

Phi Alpha Delta Inductions
Phi Alpha Delta (International Pre-law fraternity)The International Pre-law fraternity is a student-run organization, which is composed of students from all walks of academic life. Persons interested in joining should contact the pre-law advisor, Dr. Charles Neal, for additional information.

Dr. Charles Neil & Robert WeberThe Robert J. Weber Prize in Political Science and International Studies
The Weber prize is made annually to the graduating senior who demonstrates academic distinction in the field of Political Science and/or International Studies, and is involved in on or off campus activities and contributes to the college community. The award is given at the Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation in May.

Washington Center Programs
The Washington Center sponsors yearly programs on such subjects as the presidency, congress, executive leadership, political campaigns, the legal system, and more. These usually last two to three weeks and are held in Washington, D.C.

Classroom Assistant
At the invitation of a professor, majors may serve as a course assistant for a semester. This normally requires good attendance, quiz preparation and discussion, tutoring enrolled students, and a student lecture. The student receives a maximum of two credits.

Research Assistant
Departmental professors may need a student assistant to aid them in ongoing research projects. The individual professor in consultation with the special studies coordinator determines credit.

Public Opinion and Election Day Polling
In election years, political science majors might be employed by WBAL-TV as public opinion or Election Day exit pollsters. This involves training sessions in opinion research fieldwork, supplemental readings, and an analysis paper. One special studies credit is awarded.