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Leonardo
Student
El Monte, California
3
Questions
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What classes do I need to take in high school to prepare to become a Political Scientist?
I'm in 11th grade, and I have taken Honors Chemistry. I'm planning on taking AP Statistics and AP Environmental Science.
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2 answers
Larry Siegel
Government Liaison, Non-profit fundraising, Non-profit operation
54
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Larry’s Answer
Leonardo, I majored in Political Science many years ago and received a Masters degree in Internatioinal Goverment. I later worked on Congressional staff for eight years and as a Congressional lobbyist for12 years. I can say with some emphasis that most of the political science classes I took did little to prepare me for a careeer in goverment.
Should you be thinking of an academic career, political science theory courses will of course be relevant both for teaching and for participation on academic conferences and events. If you are thinking of this track, political science classes in high school make sense.
What best prepared me for my government career were the Liberal Arts classes I took in high school and college. Western literature, including of course the philosophical giants of politics, Locke, Hume and Rousseau. History classes, expecially 19th and 20th century European and U.S. history. History is a teacher, not a predictor, but understanding past history is essential to understanding today's political events. Also, philosophy classes which cover both ancient and modern philosophy.
Mathematics classes will help you understand the basics of scientific issues that arise in political discussions.
I second Abenaya's suggestion that you take English and writing related courses. Whether in responding to constituent inquiries or drafting political statements, I did an enormous amount of writing while on Congressional staff. The same would be true if you choose an academic career in Political Science. In both roles, you will be judged in large part based on the quality of your writing style.
The government classes I took with the most value were about the government processes in other countries. learning about alternative governmental systems overseas becomes a lesson in our own system.
In summary, if you have a choice between a political science class in high school and a literature or history class, you should consider the literature or history class.
I wish you every success in your quest to understand politics and possibly to work in politics.
Should you be thinking of an academic career, political science theory courses will of course be relevant both for teaching and for participation on academic conferences and events. If you are thinking of this track, political science classes in high school make sense.
What best prepared me for my government career were the Liberal Arts classes I took in high school and college. Western literature, including of course the philosophical giants of politics, Locke, Hume and Rousseau. History classes, expecially 19th and 20th century European and U.S. history. History is a teacher, not a predictor, but understanding past history is essential to understanding today's political events. Also, philosophy classes which cover both ancient and modern philosophy.
Mathematics classes will help you understand the basics of scientific issues that arise in political discussions.
I second Abenaya's suggestion that you take English and writing related courses. Whether in responding to constituent inquiries or drafting political statements, I did an enormous amount of writing while on Congressional staff. The same would be true if you choose an academic career in Political Science. In both roles, you will be judged in large part based on the quality of your writing style.
The government classes I took with the most value were about the government processes in other countries. learning about alternative governmental systems overseas becomes a lesson in our own system.
In summary, if you have a choice between a political science class in high school and a literature or history class, you should consider the literature or history class.
I wish you every success in your quest to understand politics and possibly to work in politics.
Abinaya KSP
10
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Abinaya’s Answer
If you’re thinking about becoming a political scientist, the best thing you can do in high school is build a strong foundation in how societies, governments, and people work. You don’t need anything too specialized yet—just focus on the right mix of subjects.
Start with Social Studies courses. Classes like Civics, Political Science (if your school offers it), World History, and Economics are the most directly useful. They help you understand how governments function, how policies are made, and how global events shape politics.
Pay attention to English and Writing classes too. Political scientists do a lot of reading, writing, and analyzing. Being able to write clear essays, argue your point, and understand complex texts is a big advantage.
Take Mathematics and Statistics seriously. It might not seem obvious, but political science often involves analyzing data—like election results, surveys, and public opinion. Even basic statistics will help you later in college.
If available, go for Psychology or Sociology. These subjects help you understand how people think and behave, which is a huge part of politics.
Also, don’t ignore debate, public speaking, or extracurriculars like student council or Model United Nations. These give you real-world exposure to political thinking and communication.
You don’t have to be perfect in everything. Just stay curious about what’s happening in the world, follow current events, and start forming your own opinions—that mindset matters more than any single class.
Start with Social Studies courses. Classes like Civics, Political Science (if your school offers it), World History, and Economics are the most directly useful. They help you understand how governments function, how policies are made, and how global events shape politics.
Pay attention to English and Writing classes too. Political scientists do a lot of reading, writing, and analyzing. Being able to write clear essays, argue your point, and understand complex texts is a big advantage.
Take Mathematics and Statistics seriously. It might not seem obvious, but political science often involves analyzing data—like election results, surveys, and public opinion. Even basic statistics will help you later in college.
If available, go for Psychology or Sociology. These subjects help you understand how people think and behave, which is a huge part of politics.
Also, don’t ignore debate, public speaking, or extracurriculars like student council or Model United Nations. These give you real-world exposure to political thinking and communication.
You don’t have to be perfect in everything. Just stay curious about what’s happening in the world, follow current events, and start forming your own opinions—that mindset matters more than any single class.