Government
About Government
Our Program and Courses
F&M’s Department of Government has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the country. You may either major in government or create a joint major by combining the field with public health or public policy. You’ll study the processes by which societies make collective decisions, explore the theoretical and ethical foundations of political action, raise critical questions about the nature and use of power, and examine how societies and international systems attempt to address basic problems of liberty, equity and order.
Your learning won’t take place solely in the classroom; you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself directly in the political environment through internships, civic activism, off-campus study, and service-learning. Through independent and collaborative learning, you’ll develop skills in language, economics, mathematics and philosophy — all while developing skills of sound research, rigorous analysis, and clear and effective argumentation.
By the time you graduate, you will:
- Effectively describe, critique and apply various theories for understanding political processes and outcomes in a domestic, comparative and international context.
- Be able to critically connect political events with course material.
- Think conceptually about politics and immerse yourself in your political environment through internships, civic activism, off-campus study and service-learning.
Curious what government classes are like? Take a look at our course catalog to see the depth and breadth of what’s available to you.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Your ideas may start in the classroom, but they won’t be contained there. The Department of Government has a long tradition of encouraging your intellectual growth through real-world experiences.
Research Opportunities
Research the power of participatory democracy. Perform legal research for real asylum-seeking
cases. Edit, fact-check, and proofread a professor’s manuscript. As you explore all
that a government major has to offer, you’ll discover areas or ideas you want to further
explore. The good news? You won’t have to wait until graduate school to launch your
investigation. At F&M, you’ll work and learn side-by-side with faculty to test your
ideas — not just read or talk about them.
Explore research at F&M
Internships
Gain experience now and a competitive advantage later. Internships not only enrich your academic journey, but also allow you to immerse yourself in the day-to-day life of government prior to entering the workforce. Government students can apply for a Sidney Wise Public Service Internship, which provides paid internships through a competitive selection process. Government majors have secured internships with:
- Members of Congress
- The White House
- The Federal Reserve
- Local and state governments
- The U.S. Department of State
- Television and print media outlets
- Policy institutes
Off-Campus Study
Travel the globe to become a well-rounded scholar and person. Studying off campus
gives you extraordinary opportunities to encounter, engage with, and understand perspectives
around the world, strengthening your ability to live and work in our global society.
At F&M, you can study conflict, peace, and transition in Northern Ireland; conduct
research on migration and borders in southern Mexico; get a firsthand look at humanitarian
action in Jordan; examine political behavior in London; and connect with thought leaders
in Washington, D.C. Off-campus study experiences aren’t simply time away from campus;
they’re meaningfully woven into your entire academic journey.
Explore off-campus study at F&M
The Franklin & Marshall Global Barometers
The Franklin & Marshall Global Barometers comprises the F&M Global Barometer of Gay
Rights (GBGR (R)), the Global Barometer of Transgender Rights (GBTR (TM)) and the
F&M Global Barometers LGBTQI+ Perception Index (GBPI). Together, these barometers
provide groundbreaking research on the state of LGBT+ human rights in 204 countries
and territories. Founded in 2010 by government professor, Dr. Susan Dicklitch-Nelson,
the barometers generate annual report cards detailing the state-and societal-level
protection or persecution of LGBT+ minorities worldwide.
Learn more
F&M Votes
Translate your civic engagement into tangible action. F&M Votes is a nonpartisan coalition
of Franklin & Marshall College students, faculty and professional staff engaged in
voter registration, education and motivation activities.
Learn more
Diplomatic Congress
As the central student government of F&M, the Diplomatic Congress unites student leaders
from all facets of the community with the common purpose of promoting a diverse and
engaging campus culture and improving all aspects of the student experience. To this
end, the Congress is tasked with coordinating student participation in the shared
governance of the college, overseeing the activities of—and facilitating collaboration
between—various student governing bodies, primary funding for, and oversight of, campus-wide
events and student activities, and advocacy on behalf of the student body on all critical
matters facing the college.
Learn more
Success Beyond F&M
The tremendous success of F&M graduates demonstrates the tangible value of an F&M
degree when compared to national outcomes. Within six months after graduation, 92%
of the Class of 2024 were either employed or furthering their education. This is higher
than the national average, which is typically in the mid-80% range.
This success can be yours, too. By majoring in government at F&M, you’ll gain a holistic
understanding of the field and indispensable skills for any post-graduate pursuit:
reading for depth, writing for impact, thinking with clarity, analyzing with precision,
debating with conviction, and listening with purpose.
Graduate School
Many of our majors choose to pursue graduate school after F&M, with a significant number enrolling in law school. Our graduates have completed their advanced degrees at the best universities, including:
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Yale University
- Columbia University
- Georgetown University
- New York University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Villanova University
- American University
Career Paths
Government graduates build an invaluable foundation for an eclectic range of careers. They find success in education, law, government, marketing, and more, and hold positions such as:
- Attorney
- College Professor
- Deputy Attorney General
- Foreign Service Diplomat
- Government Official
- Journalist
- Judge
- Law Clerk
- Marketing Manager
- Nonprofit Executive
- Publisher
- Research Analyst
- Social Worker
Center for Career and Professional Development
F&M’s Center for Career and Professional Development offers targeted, expert guidance
while you discover your professional calling and develop the skills you need to succeed.
Our career guidance is structured through “career communities” – dynamic groups aligned
with specific industries that transform your aspirations into clear options, meaningful
opportunities, and a network of support. Among these, our Law & Government Professions
career community offers outstanding resources for those passionate about making a
difference through public service.
Learn more
Student Spotlight
Exploring Lancaster's Revolutionary History the Diplomat Way
As a Diplomat, Richie Dockery ’26 has learned to never restrict the breadth of his experience.Inspired by an F&M professor and the College’s “ampersand” approach, the government major spent his summer focused on his passion for history, serving as a research assistant and archivist at Lancaster’s Historic Rock Ford. The estate’s grounds include the mansion of Gen. Edward Hand, who served as adjutant general of the Continental Army under George Washington.
“As the estate’s newest research assistant and archivist, I’m entrusted with sifting through its Revolutionary War documents, categorizing and organizing them, and overhauling the mansion-turned-museum’s entirely pre-digital archives,” Dockery said. “Although I’ve flexed my research muscle in the classroom, archival work is a new labyrinth of challenges. My diligence and conduct on the job are not only valuable for the quality of the research, but they are also marketable skills cherished everywhere, giving me an advantage in the post-graduation job market.”
Read More »
Alumni Spotlight
From F&M to NFL
At F&M Peter Schaffer '84 majored in government. Now he’s one of the “Top 5 Agents in the NFL,” as named by Street and Smith’s Business Journal. Schaffer recently returned to F&M to meet with current students and share how he went from a government major to a certified NFL agent negotiating over one billion dollars in contracts and representing Hall of Fame greats such as Barry Sanders and William Roaf.Student Spotlight
“The College fosters an environment where students can broaden their perspectives through interactions with peers from around the world and by exploring diverse academic disciplines.”
Government major Fatimata Ly '25 said she chose F&M for its strong liberal arts education. “The College fosters an environment where students can broaden their perspectives through interactions with peers from around the world and by exploring diverse academic disciplines,” she said. “Additionally, the small, close-knit campus allowed me to form meaningful relationships with my peers, professors, and faculty members, connections that have been instrumental in my academic and personal growth.”Read More »
Related Fields of Study
International Studies
International studies is an innovative program that combines off-campus study in a non-English-speaking location with on- and off-campus coursework. As a student of international studies at F&M, you will develop a global perspective and immerse yourself in the languages and cultures of non-English-speaking countries and regions.
Pre-Law
F&M’s pre-law program is offered through our Legal Professions Advising as a supplement to your chosen major. By engaging as a pre-law student and utilizing the skills gained from your F&M liberal arts education, you’ll be distinctly prepared to navigate the legal profession and make a difference to the world around you.
Public Policy
Government, economy, and society are increasingly reliant upon one another for ensuring the well-being of a community. When you study public policy at F&M, you’ll explore the methods and institutions through which governments, economies, and societies work together to support, regulate, protect, and communicate with diverse communities.
Government at F&M in Action
September 2, 2025
Internship Provides Compelling Evidence for a Future in Law
For William Gerber ’26, an internship for the President Judge of the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas reinforced his decision to pursue a future in law. “This practical experience I’ve gained has proven to be crucial in aiding my decision to apply to law school,” he said.
August 11, 2025
Connecting Classroom Theory to Behavioral Reality in a Yale Laboratory
Noah Katzer ’26 has added a new skill and experience to an already impressive list of accomplishments: he spent part of his summer interning at the Emotion Health and Psychophysiology Lab at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. “I've learned new research methods and gained insight into new subsections of psychology,” he says.
July 28, 2025
Richie Dockery '26 Explores Lancaster's Revolutionary History
A connection with an F&M professor inspired Richie Dockery '26 to pursue a summer experience preserving American history less than five miles from campus.