About Us

The Department of Political Science is dedicated to understanding and teaching politics.

We offer courses on a range of topics both on domestic and international politics. Students study governance systems, public policies, political behavior and institutional design. Courses use a variety of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, and stress written and oral communication so as to increase the analytic skills of our students. The department prepares students not only to be effective citizens but for a large number of contemporary careers which require analytic thinking and the knowledge of sophisticated research methods. 

The mission of the undergraduate program in Political Science is to provide students with a solid grasp of the American political system and other political systems within the context of global forces, international conflicts, social movements, ideological systems and diversity. Courses in the major are designed to help students gain competency in the study of political science; to introduce students to a variety of research methodologies and analytical frameworks; and to develop students' written and oral communication skills. Students in the program have excellent preparation for further study in graduate or professional schools as well as careers in government, business, and not-for-profit organizations.

The Department of Political Science offers two types of advanced degrees:

• Doctor of Philosophy

• Master of Arts in Political Science which is open to current Stanford University doctoral or professional school (Schools of Law, Medicine, Business) students only. 

The department does not have a terminal M.A. program for external applicants.

People

Browse the people that work for Stanford's Department of Political Science.

• Faculty

• Emeriti

• Other Instructors

• Postdoctoral Scholars

• Staff

Connect with Us

Use these channels to learn more about our department and reach out to us.

• Visit our website: https://politicalscience.stanford.edu/

• Call our main office: (650) 723-1806

• Fax our main office: (650) 723-1808

Find Us on Campus or Send Us Mail

Department of Political Science
Encina Hall West, Room 100
616 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford, CA 94305