Department of Political Science

Totaling approximately $4.5 million, the Farber Funds provide more than $170,000 each year for political science, criminal justice and international studies majors. The funding takes students throughout the nation and across the globe to attend conferences, participate in study tours, complete internships, study abroad and conduct research. To our knowledge, no other university in the nation has this amount of money available for students in a single department.

The Farber Funds honor William O. (Doc) Farber, Ph.D., who contributed 40 years of service to USD. For 38 of those years, he was chair of the Department of Government (later Department of Political Science) and is credited with the department’s growth in staff, enrollment and academic opportunities. Doc Farber retired in 1976, but both his legacy and impact on students continue today through these funds.

Apply for Farber Funds

We encourage our students to seek internships during their college careers so they benefit from practical learning and career training. We assist students in identifying appropriate internship opportunities, preparing application materials and assessing assigned academic materials for credit hours.

Our students have had great success in securing internships at local, state, federal and international levels, in all branches of government and in the private and public sectors. When academic requirements are met, students can earn academic credit for substantive internships.

Graduate students gain valuable real-world, professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates through graduate assistantships at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you with valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

Learn more about Graduate Assistantships

Through the Mock Trial team, you will learn to play the roles of attorneys, witnesses, police officers, forensic investigators, probation officers and all other criminal justice officials who testify in our courts. You will learn by doing – one of the best ways to learn. Our mock trial teams compete each year in multiple invitational regional and national tournaments.

Do you have your sights set on Washington, D.C.? Italy? Turkey? New Zealand? The USD Department of Political Science can help you get there. Our students have participated in conferences and faculty-led courses around the world, and our Farber Funds helps make those experiences affordable. Students in our department also have earned nationally competitive scholarships to support extended individual study abroad in places like Spain, Senegal, Uzbekistan and elsewhere.

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USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the Department of Political Science. By getting involved in the following groups, you can make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.

College Democrats

College Democrats actively promote Democratic policies, platforms and candidates on campus and beyond.

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College Republicans

College Republicans recruit, train, mobilize and engage students in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to win elections and advocate for conservative ideals.

Join College Republicans

Criminal Justice Club

The Criminal Justice Club introduces students to the breadth of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, corrections, criminology, courts and other areas. This club organizes trips, brings speakers to campus and sponsors other social and academic activities throughout the year. Although the Criminal Justice Club is comprised mainly of criminal justice and political science majors, it is open to anyone who is interested in the criminal justice system and wants to get involved.

Join the Criminal Justice Club

Political Science League

This club organizes trips, brings speakers to campus, hosts an evening film series and sponsors other social and academic activities throughout the year.

Students of Public Administration (SOPA)

The Students of Public Administration (SOPA) organization is dedicated to connecting graduate students to their future careers. SOPA hosts a series of out-of-classroom discussions with administrators from municipal, state and federal programs to answer questions regarding the career field. Group members of SOPA are responsible for an annual recruiting event on campus and coordinating an annual awards event. SOPA members also help coordinate travel for students to attend the annual Association Society for Public Administrators (ASPA) conference. 

Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)

Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.

Join the GPSA