Government

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.

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.
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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

Explore internships at F&M

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

Center for Opinion Research and F&M Poll

F&M is home to the Center for Opinion Research, which is widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost survey research organizations. The Center for Opinion Research publishes the Franklin & Marshall College Poll, the oldest statewide public opinion poll exclusively directed and produced in Pennsylvania, and one of the top surveys in the United States.

The Center for Opinion Research actively engages F&M students, offering you the unique opportunity to contribute to and better understand the work behind an effective survey of voters’ opinions. You can assist with data analysis, reporting, survey question development, and more.

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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.
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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. 
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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.
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Franklin & Marshall Leadership Fellows are purpose-driven communities of students who exemplify F&M’s commitment to meaningful impact through leadership, innovation, and problem-solving.

We offer several tailored tracks, including:

• Public Service Leadership Fellows, a program designed to help you explore democratic engagement, ethical governance, and collaborative leadership.
• Sustainability and Food Systems Leadership Fellows, a program that helps you build the knowledge and leadership skills needed to secure the future of food and food cultures.

As an F&M Leadership Fellow, you’ll access:

• A $15,000 annual merit scholarship ($60,000 total over four years)
• Dedicated faculty mentorship from professors who guide your academic and leadership path.
• Hands-on opportunities to solve real-world problems alongside local organizations, businesses, and research partners.
• A tight-knit community of motivated peers.
• Tailored leadership coaching to build the confidence, skills, and growth mindset needed to make an immediate impact.

A partnership between F&M and Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy provides pathways for F&M students into high-demand graduate programs in public policy, technology, and the arts, offering meaningful tuition support and access to industries including government, technology, cybersecurity, and entertainment.

Through this shared initiative, up to 10 F&M graduates admitted to Heinz College’s master’s degree programs annually will receive scholarships that reduce tuition by at least 30% each semester. F&M graduates will also be eligible for consideration for additional merit-based scholarship support up to 100%.

The collaboration expands postgraduate pathways for F&M students seeking advanced degrees and will apply to all Heinz College master's degree programs, including:

• Master of Science in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM)

The scholarship is effective for any F&M graduate seeking to apply to Heinz College in the Fall 2026 application cycle and beyond. The award will be made at the time of admission and no separate application is necessary.

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 2025 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

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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.
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