Groups and Activities

Creighton has an active chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.  Creighton's chapter, Theta Alpha was established in 1977.

The Theta Alpha Chapter has been awarded the "Best Chapter Award" for universities/colleges of our size.  Dr. Wunsch has also been awarded the Chapter Adviser Recognition Award by Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.

Majors and non-majors are selected for membership in the junior and senior years based on academic performance.  Candidates must have completed at least three courses in political science with at least one advanced course, have a “B” average in political science, and rank in the upper third of their class over all.

Pi Sigma Alpha members have organized student/faculty get-togethers, and have brought speakers to campus. Dr. Richard Witmer (RichardWitmer@creighton.edu) is the moderator for PI Sigma Alpha.

Several of our undergraduates over the years have been recognized for their outstanding research papers (PLS591) and have been awarded "Best Paper" or "Best Thesis Paper" by the Pi Sigma Alpha National Society. 

The International Relations Club is open to students throughout the University who have a special concern with questions of international politics. Over the years, the IRC has sponsored speakers and crisis simulations on campus and fielded award-winning delegations to Model United Nations Conferences across the country and around the world.

Political science students interested in international affairs may also be eligible for Phi Beta Delta, the international honor society. The faculty encourages participation in the student leadership development program and other programs. Faculty moderator is Dr. Joseph McClanahan, Modern Languages Department (josephmcclanahan@creighton.edu).

The Model UN is made up of student delegates involved in the International Relations. The group participates in several Model UN conferences throughout the year. They have traveled to Boston, Montreal, Canada, and Chicago. The group has also traveled to Turkey, Germany, Egypt, Japan, Korea, Brazil and other locations for the International Model United Nations Conference held yearly.

If you are interested in becoming active in the Model UN Club, please see Dr. Joseph McClanahan, Modern Languages Department, (josephmcclanahan@creighton.edu) moderator or see our website.

Creighton political science students are also encouraged to become active in campus student government, as well as the College Republicans and Young Democrats.  

Political internships are available in the local area.  If you are interested in an internship, please contact Laura Roost (Roost@creighton.edu).

The Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) offers a great opportunity for students interested in taking the next step from political theory to practice.  The Washington, DC internship program is paired with university courses designed to compliment your internship experience.   The director of the CHIP program, Dr. Doug Steinel, works directly with participants to locate an internship which corresponds with the interests of each student in the program. 

Students work at their internship four days a week (32 hours), and attend classes one day per week.  Weekends are available to explore and experience live in Washington, DC.  Each week students participate in activities such as: touring government memorial and offices, attend concerts and lectures at the Kennedy Center, Folger Shakespeare Library and other venues, visit surrounding landmarks such as Monticello, and Mt. Vernon.

Juniors and seniors majoring in any field and holding a 3.0 GPA for higher may apply for the CHIP program.  Sophomore completing their second semester and holding outstanding academic records may also apply to the program. 

You will be housed in brownstone that is adjacent to Capitol Hill and is within walking distance to the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, House and Senate Buildings, Smithsonian, Union Station, Library of Congress, National Archives, Folger Shakespeare Library and many shops, restaurants and galleries. 

If you are interested in the CHIP program and the costs associated with it, please contact Dr. Graham Ramsden (gpr@creighton.edu).

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• MPSURC (Midwestern Political Science Undergraduate Research Conference): The Midwest Student Research Conference is held in the spring of each year at various colleges and universities in the Midwest region.  Students are encouraged to present their PLS591 papers.  Please speak to your 591 professor if you are interested in presenting your research.

• MPSA (Midwestern Political Science Association): The MPSA holds its annual professional conference every spring in Chicago, IL at the Palmer House Hilton. The conference boasts the second largest attendance of political scientists across the world. Students who wish to present their research at this conference should confer with their PLS 591 professor in late November/ early December to apply.