Undergraduate Programs in Political Science

At Portland State University, we offer a Political Science major with four specializations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory, along with two Political Science tracks in International Development and Public Service. You can also challenge yourself in the Political Science Honors Program. A minor in Political Science requires fewer credits and is a great addition to any major at PSU. 

• In our American Politics classes, students learn about the political system of the United States, as well as the history, culture, and social movements in this country. Classes in this field also engage the local politics of Portland as well as state politics in Oregon.
• In our Comparative Politics classes, students learn about the domestic politics of other countries. If you wonder about how the Prime Minister is chosen in Germany, how Augusto Pinochet -the former dictator in Chile- overthrew the democratically elected government, or how government restrictions affect the lives of women in Iran, this is the field for you.
• Our International Relations classes teach our students to understand how governments interact with one another. This sometimes means the study of war, but more often means learning about the role of international organizations and international law in facilitating negotiation and communication among countries.
• Students in our Political Theory classes read books that challenge commonly held views of what constitutes politics and how political change occurs. In exploring contending ideas of power, justice, authority, freedom, and so forth, political theory students develop their own theories of politics.

Students can add on an undergraduate certificate in US Political Campaigns or in Women's Leadership, or get a head start on a Master's in Political Science through our accelerated Pathway Program. Find information about all of these options by clicking the links below!

Meet the Political Science Advisors