Welcome to the Department of Political Science. We are a close-knit, active community where students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the public realities of their world. Whether life takes our students to the local school board meeting or to the UN Security Council, our mission is to prepare students for lives as public leaders and empowered citizens.

We are committed to working closely with students so they develop the knowledge and skills needed to rigorously reach their own conclusions about important issues of politics, government and public affairs. Education isn't confined solely to the classroom; political science majors also gain practical experience and perspective by participating in at least one internship, study abroad program or undergraduate research project. It's a multidisciplinary, highly engaged educational experience that cannot be found anywhere else.

Student Experiences

Experiential Learning

Many of our students choose to collaborate with one or more of the College's interdisciplinary centers, programs or institutes. A semester gaining hands-on insight into the political workings of Sacramento or Washington DC can be completed through the Harold S. Jacoby Center for Public Service and Civic Leadership. Many of our students prepare for a future in law school by participating in the Pacific Legal Scholars Program, and many more learn about international politics by spending a semester abroad. All of these opportunities prepare students for a life of civic engagement and make them highly sought-after candidates for jobs and graduate programs.

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