Political Science
Explore perspectives and concepts to help you make sense of a complex political world.
Within the political science program at UMass Amherst, students experience a curriculum focused on political issues and problems, providing you with perspectives, concepts, and theories that will help you make sense of a complex political world.
Here, our diverse faculty study and teach about politics by asking questions that involve working at the intersections of political ideas, American politics, comparative politics, and international relations, as well as public policy and law. Students work with them side-by-side on research on a range of topics, from the study of local elections and legislative behavior to human security and global politics to and social movements and democratic participation.
In addition to broad introductory courses, you can choose from a variety of courses that reach across subfield boundaries, such as "Race and Politics," "Global Justice," "Protest and Dissent," and "Globalization, Governance, and World Order," "Environmental Policy", and "African regional governance." The department offers courses on politics and power in the U.S., Latin America, Russia and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa and Caribbean, among other regions.
Explore our programs
Study Political Science at UMass Amherst
Benefits list
Earn Your Master’s with Our 4+1 Program
Interested in pursuing a graduate degree in political science? Our 4+1 program allows you to earn your bachelor’s and master’s in as little as five years! Students begin taking graduate-level courses in their senior year at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Learning Outside the Classroom
As a political science major, you have many opportunities to explore experiential education. Internships, study abroad, and service learning programs offer the chance to gain experience in professional settings.
Preparing Students for What’s Next
Political science is a field offering many career paths, including law, business, public affairs, policy analysis, and nonprofit management, just to name a few. SBS career advisors are available to help guide you through the job search process.
Broaden Your Experience with Pi Sigma Alpha
Motivated students are encouraged to consider joining Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honors society. Students who join have the chance to engage in additional opportunities for networking and leadership experience. An overall GPA of 3.7 is required.
In the News
Congressman McGovern Attends Induction Ceremony
On April 6, 2026, Congressman Jim McGovern attended the Annual Induction Ceremony of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society.
Shoub and Sharrow Receive Research Grant, Support Undergraduate Research Experience
Kelsey Shoub, public policy, & Libby Sharrow, public policy & history, received a grant supporting their research on the effects of campus authority on students
UMass Poll Team on Trump's Epstein Problem
A team of researchers from the UMass Amherst Poll have written about the response to the current administration's handling of the Epstein files.
Political Science
Conduct research with faculty on topics from the study of local elections and legislative behavior to international environmental politics and social movements.