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Political Science & Public Administration

Advising

Advising categories

Advising FAQ's

How do I find who my advisor is?

Your academic advisor is listed on the right hand side of your WINGS student center.

Last modified: 11/27/2023

How often will I meet with my advisor?

Meet with your advisor each semester before your register for next semester's classes. See your advisor if you are experiencing any academic difficulties.

Last modified: 11/27/2023

What do we do when we meet?

In most cases, you will meet with your advisor in order to discuss your plan for courses to take the following semester.  Your advisor will also discuss your plan for upcoming semesters, and how your plan will meet graduation requirements.

Academic advisors can also provide guidance and ideas regarding different careers within the Political Science/Public Administration discipline, extracurricular activities, and internship or job opportunities.

Last modified: 11/27/2023

How can I prepare for our meeting?

To prepare for meeting with your advisor, you should review your Advisement Report in WINGS, familiarize yourself with the requirements for graduation, review which requirements you have completed, and plan the courses you should be taking the following semester. Your advisor will be able to tell you if your suggested courses will keep you on track for graduation and will make any recommendations he or she thinks will be helpful for you in selecting your courses and preparing for your future after college, including career and/or graduate school.

If you are planning to study abroad, please visit with the Office of International Education before meeting with your advisor. In order to evaluate how a study abroad will influence course selection, it is helpful to know where you plan to study.

You should also be considering the minor and/or other majors that might be relevant given your interests and long-range career plans.

Last modified: 11/27/2023

What if I’m struggling academically?

Contact your advisor and the specific course instructor.

You should meet with your advisor if you think you are going to fail a course, you are on probation currently, or think your GPA may fall below 2.0. Likewise, if you are having difficulty handling day-to-day activities and responsibilities for any reason, please let your advisor know so he or she can direct you to UWL staff qualified to help you with your particular situation.

Last modified: 11/27/2023

What if I’m looking for additional opportunities?

The department stresses the value of extracurricular activities and seeks to provide special opportunities for political science students. We especially excel in providing internship opportunities whereby students can earn up to 12 credits while gaining on-the-job experience with government agencies, law firms, etc. Many of the internships pay a salary; all help students get jobs upon graduation, and some are international. In addition to internships, the department sponsors or participates in the Model United Nations and Mock Trial programs and in a number of tour and study abroad programs.

Last modified: 11/27/2023

Need more help or information?

You can reach out to the Department Chair: Adam Van Liere, or you can come visit our department in 421 Wimberly Hall. You can also call the department at 608.785.8434.

Catalog quicklinks

Scholarship Opportunities

Dr. Richard Lindblad Political Science Award (CLS)

  • undergraduate to be enrolled full time with a declared major or minor in political science or public administration
  • above average grade point average
  • demonstrated leadership potential and involvement in both campus and community activities

James H. Mack Scholarship for Public Policy Advocacy (CLS)

  • recipient must be enrolled full time at UW-La Crosse with a major in political science, public administration or economics
  • recipient must be a junior or a senior
  • recipient must show interest in pursuing a career in the public policy arena in either the public or private sector
  • recipient must have reputation for integrity and good ethical behavior
  • recipient must have participated in the political process (e.g. public office, assisting others in attending public office, student government and/or campus association relevant to this award)
  • with the application, recipient must submit an essay on a domestic public policy issue (of the recipient’s choice) demonstrating knowledge of the issue and promoting arguments in support as well as opposition to the issue in addition to stating personal point of view on the issue and why

Joseph P. Heim Scholarship Fund for Graduating Seniors

  • graduating senior with a major in political science or public administration planning on attending graduate school
  • above average gpa
  • financial need may be considered
  • committee is to weigh three areas of criteria for this award: (a) academic performance, (b) community involvement, and (c) political involvement
  • award is to fund graduate studies for recipients in the areas of political science, public administration or law

Maurice and Elizabeth Graff Scholarships --Political Science and/or Public Administration (CLS)

  • sophomore, junior or senior to be enrolled full time with a major in political science/public administration
  • at least a 3.0 gpa
  • must plan to continue school and graduate at UW-L

Tommy G. Thompson Leadership Scholarship

  • Be enrolled as a full-time student at UWL
  • Be in good academic standing at the time of application;
  • Be a degree-seeking student at the time of application and at the time they receive the award;
  • Has not received the Tommy G. Thompson Scholarship in the prior year. (The scholarships are one-time, non-renewable, and non-transferable);
  • Submit their cumulative undergraduate GPA from the undergraduate campus from which they are applying (This means that students without a cumulative GPA [e.g., freshmen] are ineligible); and
  • Agrees to attend one Thompson Center event during the year of scholarship.

Additionally, to be eligible for this award, a student must:

  • Submit a personal statement/biographical sketch that is no more than 450 words. (The personal statement/biographical sketch may be posted on the Thompson Center website and used in press releases if the candidate is selected for a scholarship.) The biographical sketch must include: 
    • The candidate’s definition or understanding of leadership;
    • A discussion of how the candidate demonstrated leadership during their time on campus;
    • The candidate’s aspirations; and
    • An explanation of the ways in which the candidate’s leadership reflects Governor Thompson’s spirit and legacy of bringing people together to develop common-sense solutions.

The candidate may wish to include within this statement a brief description of any relevant volunteering, internships, or employment they have undertaken that reflect a spirit of leadership.

  • Provide a copy of an up-to-date academic transcript, which thereby grants permission to the review panel(s) to consider it as part of the scholarship application. The student may include a brief appendix that summarizes any classes that relate to leadership or the personal statement/biographical sketch.

Cecilia & Gabriel Manrique Scholarship

  • The recipient must be enrolled full-time at UWL with a major in political science or public administration. The scholarship alternate and will be awarded to a political science major in even years (2024-25) and a public administration major in odd years (2025-26)
  • The recipient must have a GPA of at least 3.75
  • The recipient must be a sophomore, junior or senior