Skip to Content

University of Colorado Boulder
Search

Search

Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences
Political Science

Main menu

  • Home
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Courses
  • People
  • Research
  • News & Events
  • Anti-Racism
  • Virtual Office

Secondary Menu

  • About
  • Alumni
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internal
  • Donate

Mobile menu

  • Home
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Courses
  • People
  • Research
  • News & Events
  • Anti-Racism
  • Virtual Office
  • About
  • Alumni
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internal
  • Donate

Breadcrumb

Home Undergraduate Student Resources Pathways of Political Science Graduate School

Graduate School

  • Jeffrey Nonnemacher

Name: Jeffrey Nonnemacher
Major (s): Political Science & International Affairs
Minor (s): None
Certificate (s): European Union Studies
Post-Graduation Plans: Attending graduate school for a PhD in Political Science

My Pathway:

Freshman year:

  • Took the intro level PSCI classes to explore the discipline and discover my interests.
  • Took broad coursework to figure out what interested me.
  • Added IAFS as a second major.

Sophomore year:

  • Began taking upper division coursework in PSCI to progress through the major, forging relationships with faculty
  • Figured out what kinds of puzzles interested me for my own research.

Junior year:

  • Conducted research as part of the PSCI department's undergrad research opportunities, laying the groundwork for an honors thesis.
  • Continued taking UD coursework.
  • Added European Union Studies certificate

Senior year:

  • Interned for the Jared Polis campaign to explore my options.
  • Wrote two honors theses, one in PSCI and one in IAFS, to fulfill degree requirements and strengthen my grad applications.
  • Presented my research at MPSA.
  • Began applying to graduate schools in the Fall.

What about the summers?

Freshman-Sophomore: Recharged
Sophomore-Junior: Took core and UD coursework and worked on campus.
Junior-Senior: Continued working on campus and started my honors thesis projects & research.

When did you know this was your path?
  • It was not until my Junior year did I know that I wanted to go this route with my career and really began intentionally working towards this goal.

What would you recommend to students wanting to go down this path?
  • Take methods courses. Grad schools love seeing that you know your methods and can actually do social science research, so take advantage of the wide array of methodological trainings that are offered to undergrads. It also makes writing an honors thesis easier.

What would you have done differently in your four years at CU?
  • I would have taken more methods courses beyond PSCI 2075 and social science research training. I also would have connected with faculty outside the classroom from the very beginning, even in the big intro lectures. I would have also done UROP either for my honors theses, my junior year, or over a summer.

What program at CU or PSCI best prepared you for this path?
  • It is a combination of both the undergrad research program and the honors program through the department. This is where you do original research and learn the most about the process of conducting research, and what academia at its most basic level looks like.

What extracurricular activities did you participate in?
  • I was also a member for two years of Pi Sigma Alpha, and became the co-president in my Senior Year to work to build a community of PSCI students to help other students take advantage of the opportunities available to them through the department and with a major in PSCI.

Any tips for somebody on this path or starting it?
  • Talk to faculty and grad students! They are willing to help you with your own research and help you navigate the application process, but you have to ask them for help. The process is so much easier with faculty in your corner helping you along the way.

 

Jeffrey Nonnemacher Interview

Pathways of Political Science with Jeffrey Nonnemacher

Play Video


  • Prospective Students
  • Major Requirements
  • Minor Requirements
  • Undergraduate Job Opportunities
  • Be involved
  • Important Dates
  • Academics
  • Student Resources
    • Pathways of Political Science
      • Graduate School
      • Law School
      • Foreign Services
      • Capitol Hill
      • Business Track
      • Education
      • Year Off Before Law School
    • Political Science Majors Guide and Roadmap
    • First Year Seminar
    • Student Organizations
    • Undergraduate FAQs
  • Undergraduate News

Quick Links

Undergraduate Advising

Graduation

What can I do with a PSCI Degree?

CU Academic Calendar

Summer Session

Colorado Political Science Review

Buff Portal Advising
(for academic advising)

PSCI Video Library

Political Science

333 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0333

Ketchum Hall   115 Southwest corner of 1st floor
      Phone 303-492-7871 FAX 303-492-0978

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder
© Regents of the University of Colorado
Privacy • Legal & Trademarks • Campus Map

Return to the top of the page