Please note: The Add/Drop period has been extended to two weeks.  The new Add/Drop deadline is Feb. 7th.

Political Science

The Department of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts has a strong tradition of providing undergraduate instruction of the highest quality. Whether you are just taking a class or two, or are planning to major in Political Science, you will find that the Department and its faculty are committed to undergraduate teaching and students. We offer a wide range of classes, from lecture-based instruction to smaller seminars, as well as internships and Honors courses. The diversity of the faculty means that the Department is able to offer a broad range of courses every semester.

Undergraduate program options include a Bachelor’s degree, a minor, the International Relations certificate, and the Data Analytics for Public Policy and Legal Studies letter of specialization.

Welcome to the Political Science Community

Majors study political life in the varied contexts in which it occurs—institutions, social movements, power relations, elections, political culture, ideas, and war. The major emphasizes issues central to public life such as democracy, citizenship, participation, inequality, global forces, institutions, and governance. A purpose of the Political Science major is to help educate a reflective and engaged citizenry capable of sharing power and responsibility in a contemporary democracy. The curriculum supports this goal first by developing students’ skills in critical thinking and comprehending complex phenomena. Second, the program emphasizes students’ development of skills in articulating clear, sound, and compelling arguments of their own, based on appropriate evidence, in spoken and written presentation.  Third, the program offers opportunities for acquisition of quantitative, qualitative, and interpretive research skills that are applicable to a broad range of careers and intellectual interests.

Add/Drop Deadline: What to Know

Spring 2022 begins on January 25th and before you know it, the Add/Drop period is ending. For additional information, link here.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Add/Drop has been extended to 2 weeks for Spring 2022. The new Add/Drop deadline is Feb 7 …

By Adrian Grace
Adrian Grace Director of Undergraduate Advising Adrian Grace
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New Class: Legal 460 (open to all majors)

By Adrian Grace
Adrian Grace Director of Undergraduate Advising Adrian Grace
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Your Spring Semester Job or Internship Search

Whether you are graduating in May and haven’t found a job yet, or you are an undergrad seeking a summer internship, there is plenty of time, and plenty of opportunities are being posted every day!

And – YOU have to …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Carol Sharick
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Explore Outcomes

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2020 was 60%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2020 was 60%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

SBS graduates pursue a range of plans after graduation, including employment, continuing education, and volunteering/service, among others.  This graph depicts what recent SBS graduates tell us they are doing within six months after graduation.

Featured Resources

SBS eTip Newsletters

These weekly newsletters, grounded in the understanding that “No one is born knowing how to ‘do college,'” offer a wealth …

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Political Science: Course Lists & Forms

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Political Science: Featured Courses on Race, Diversity & Social Justice

Our faculty teach a wide variety of courses focusing on race, ethnicity, racism, inequality, social justice, and related issues. Students …

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Political Science: Departmental Honors

Students interested in pursuing departmental honors should seek out opportunities to work closely with faculty in small seminars and on …

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Undergraduate Research Engagement Program (UREP), Political Science & Legal Studies

UREP is designed to partner advanced undergraduate political science and legal studies majors with faculty for hands-on, one-on-one research experiences.

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Tutoring: Learning Resource Center (LRC)

The central academic support unit for undergraduate students.

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Writing Center

We work with undergrad, grad, staff, post-doc, and faculty writers at any stage of the writing process: brainstorming and outlining, …

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Research Opportunities

Political Science: Departmental Honors

Students interested in pursuing departmental honors should seek out opportunities to work closely with faculty in small seminars and on …

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Undergraduate Research Engagement Program (UREP), Political Science & Legal Studies

UREP is designed to partner advanced undergraduate political science and legal studies majors with faculty for hands-on, one-on-one research experiences.

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SBS Research Opportunities: SBS Pathways Website

We’ve dedicated part of our website to research resources. Link here.

 

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Recent Posts

Seek your pathways

Add/Drop Deadline: What to Know

New Class: Legal 460 (open to all majors)

New Class: Legal 460 (open to all majors)

Your Spring Semester Job or Internship Search

Seek your pathways

The SBS Spring Scholarship Cycle is OPEN

Mackenzie Smith ’22 Recognized as Rising Researcher

New Internships Being Posted Daily in Handshake

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