nyu political science phd

• Skip to Main
• Program of Study
• Course Offerings

Program of Study (CAS Bulletin)

Politics (2022 - 2024), major in politics.

The major requires ten 4-point courses (40 points) in the department, chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser and completed with a grade of C or better (Pass/Fail does not count). At least two of these courses must be chosen from the department’s four designated core courses, both to be taken in the College:

• Political Theory (POL-UA 100)
• Power and Politics in America (POL-UA 300)
• Comparative Politics (POL-UA 500)
• International Politics (POL-UA 700)

Because the four core courses serve as prerequisites to many upper-level politics courses, majors are advised to take core courses early in their program of study.

In addition, at least one course must be taken in three of the department’s five fields:

• Political Theory
• American Government and Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Politics
• Analytical Politics 

Although it is not required for the major, Introduction to Research Methods for Politics (POL-UA 850) is strongly recommended. Students are advised to take it before enrolling in other advanced courses in the major.

Policies Applying to the Major

No more than five courses (20 credits) can be accepted as transfer credit toward the major. NYU study away courses, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) and other advanced standing credit by examination, are treated as transfer credit for all students.

Students may count eight points (the equivalent of two courses) from Advanced Placement (Comparative and U.S.), International Baccalaureate (Global Politics), or Advanced (A) Level (Government and Politics) examinations towards the requirements of the major. Up to eight points from other advanced standing examinations may be accepted after consultation with the department. None of these credits can substitute for any specific course or requirement in the major (such as one of the core requirements); they simply count as generic POL-UA credit toward the major.

No more than three NYU study away courses (12 credits) may count toward the major.

Internships in Politics and Government I, II (POL-UA 970, 971) and Readings and Research (POL-UA 990) do not count toward the major.

Track in American Political Practice and Leadership

This track (open only to declared politics majors) offers students the opportunity to gain skills and experience in applied American politics via a study away semester at NYU’s site in Washington, D.C., while also acquiring the analytical understanding provided by American politics courses offered at NYU Washington Square.

The requirements for the track are:

• Power and Politics in America (POL-UA 300) at the Washington Square campus.
• A semester-long internship with a domestic policy focus (in government, politics, or a non-profit), plus Internship Seminar and Fieldwork (NODEP-UA 9982), both at the Washington, D.C. campus. These are the only internship credits allowed to count toward the politics major.
• Three upper-division courses in American politics. At least one must be taken at NYU Washington, D.C. and at least one at the Washington Square campus, and at least one must be in a sub-field related to the student’s internship.

The three upper-division courses must be chosen from the following lists:

• The Presidency (POL-UA 9310)
• American Constitution (POL-UA 9330)
• American Public Opinion and Pressure Groups (POL-UA 9342)
• Campaign Strategy and Media in Domestic and International Campaigns (POL-UA 9994)
• Identities in American Politics in the 21st Century (POL-UA 9994)
• POL-UA 306, 310, 315, 330, 332, 333, 337, 341, 342, 344, 350, 354, 382
• Undergraduate Field Seminar: American Politics (POL-UA 395), with permission of the departmental adviser for this track.

Minor in Politics

The minor requires five 4-point courses (20 points) in the department, chosen in consultation with departmental advisers and completed with a grade of C or better. A minor program may reflect a special emphasis in one of the department’s five fields, or a subfield of the student’s choosing. No special emphasis on a particular subfield is required for the minor, nor is a choice of subfield reflected on a student’s academic record or transcript. Only NYU courses with a POL-UA number not also counted toward another major or minor can be counted toward the politics minor. At least three of the five courses for the minor must be taken at the Washington Square campus. As per CAS policy, no more than two courses of the five may be transfer courses.

Students may count four points (the equivalent of one course) from Advanced Placement (Comparative or U.S.), International Baccalaureate (Global Politics), or Advanced (A) Level (Government and Politics) examinations towards the requirements of the minor. Up to four points from other advanced standing examinations may be accepted after consultation with the department. None of these credits can substitute for any specific course or requirement in the department (such as one of the core requirements); they simply count as generic POL-UA credit toward the minor.

Honors Program

For admission to and completion of the department’s honors program, students must have a GPA of 3.65 both overall and in the politics major. The deadline for applying to the honors program is March 1 in spring of junior year. To be eligible for application students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in Introduction to Research Methods for Politics (POL-UA 850), as well as either Introduction to Macroeconomics (ECON-UA 1) or Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON-UA 2). Admitted students register for Senior Honors I (POL-UA 950, fall) to prepare a research proposal for their thesis, which they write in the spring while taking Senior Honors II (POL-UA 951). The thesis and its oral defense must be approved by both the instructor teaching Senior Honors II and the second reader of the thesis.

Preparation for Law School

Although law schools do not require any particular major or course of study, politics can be an especially useful field for students planning legal study and a career in law. Students interested in a course of study that prepares them for law school may wish to choose courses in consultation with the College’s Prelaw Program. For information about the program, please visit prelaw.cas.nyu.edu .

B.A./M.A. Program in Politics

The College of Arts and Science and the Graduate School of Arts and Science offer an accelerated dual-degree B.A./M.A. program in politics. Bachelor’s-master’s students who satisfy the track's undergraduate requirements receive a scholarship covering 50% of M.A. tuition and registration fees during the graduate school year. The GSAS requirement to take the GRE is also waived. This dual-degree program is open only CAS students majoring or minoring in politics or international relations. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 48 credits toward the B.A. but not more than 96 credits or six semesters, whichever comes first. Questions about eligibility for, or application to, the B.A./M.A. program should be directed to the CAS Advising Center (726 Broadway, 7th floor; 212-998-8130).

Political Science

Introduction, political science subject databases, scholarly, multidisciplinary databases, journals & articles, general article databases.

• Background Research
• Legislative Documents
• Executive Documents
• Judicial Documents
• Legal Publications
• Comparative Politics
• Conflict, Peace & Security
• Elections & Voting
• Historical & Primary Document Resources
• Political Behavior & Psychology
• Public Opinion Data & Survey Research
• Electoral Data
• Political Conflict Data
• Political Economy
• Political Theory
• United Nations This link opens in a new window
• Debating Resources for Politics and Public Policy

Political science studies at New York University are focused on the theory and practice of politics at the domestic and international levels. Major areas covered in the NYU curriculum include quantitative and formal political analysis, political methodology, American politics, political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. This guide provides a variety of online resources for students and researchers of political science and other related disciplines.

Subject-specific databases provide articles and resources solely within a specific discipline. This section lists the best political science databases providing coverage of scholarly literature across all major political science areas and sub-disciplines.

• Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) This link opens in a new window Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) is a source for theory and research in international affairs. It includes scholarship, working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals, case studies for teaching, and policy briefs.
• PAIS International This link opens in a new window PAIS International contains journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, grey literature, research reports, conference reports, publications of international agencies for public affairs, public and social policies, and international relations.
• Policy File This link opens in a new window Policy FIle offers access to U.S. foreign and domestic policy papers and gray literature, with abstracts and links to timely reports, papers, and documents from think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutes, advocacy groups, agencies, and other entities.
• ProQuest Political Science This link opens in a new window ProQuest Political Science gives users access to leading political science and international relations journals. This collection provides the full-text of core titles, many of which are indexed in Worldwide Political Science Abstracts. New to ProQuest Political Science are hundreds of recent, full-text, political science dissertations from U.S. and Canadian universities, as well as thousands of current working papers from the Political Science Research Network.
• Worldwide Political Science Abstracts This link opens in a new window Worldwide Political Science Abstracts provides citations, abstracts, and indexing of the international serials literature in political science and its complementary fields, including international relations, law, and public administration.

The following databases offer access to leading scholarly and peer-reviewed academic journals across most academic disciplines. We also introduce you to open access databases containing publications you may be unfamiliar with called working papers . Working papers are  scholarly articles in the process of development for submission and publication to scholarly journals. Because working papers are not yet peer-reviewed, their quality can range widely. However, they can still provide you with a wealth of scholarly information on a topic, along with references that can lead you to other useful articles.

• Google Scholar This link opens in a new window Google Scholar is a central search for scholarly literature. It covers disciplines and sources, peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles, from academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories, universities and other scholarly organizations.
• JSTOR This link opens in a new window JSTOR provides access to scholarly journals, primarily in the humanities and social sciences. In addition to journal articles, users can access book chapters, ebooks, and primary source documents.

Academic, scholarly, and peer-reviewed journals and articles are considered appropriate sources for college-level research and political science writing assignments. However, you might also need to use general magazines and newspaper articles. Here are a few tips when searching for journals and articles:

• Start your research with a general database such as ProQuest Central .
• For political science articles use a subject database such as  ProQuest Political Science .
• If your assignment requires the use of scholarly, academic, or peer-reviewed journal articles, use a database such as JSTOR .

The two largest general academic databases are EBSCOhost and ProQuest Central . Known primarily by their vendor names, EBSCO and ProQuest are aggregators of individual databases that use a single search interface. Each contains a combination of full-text and citation databases and each provides a varied mix of scholarly journals, trade publications, general magazines, and newspaper resources. EBSCO and ProQuest are also multidisciplinary, which means they cover a wide range of subject areas.

• EBSCO Discovery Service This link opens in a new window EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) encompasses articles in databases across many disciplines. Users can locate peer reviewed articles, videos, audio files, images, and more from a range of subjects. Full download of DRM-protected ebooks requires EBSCO account registration and Adobe Digital Editions.
• ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window ProQuest Central is a large, multidisciplinary database with over 11,000 titles, with over 8,000 titles in full-text. It serves as the central resource for researchers at all levels in all markets. Over 160 subjects areas are covered extensively in this product including business and economics, health and medical, news and world affairs, technology, social sciences and more.
• Next: Background Research >>
• Last Updated: Apr 13, 2024 9:13 PM
• URL: https://guides.nyu.edu/polisci

• Masters Degrees
• Bachelors Degrees
• Associate Degrees
• Career Pathways Bridge Program
• Online Degree Programs: Bachelor’s, Master’s & Associate’s
• Global Offerings
• Faculty Spotlight
• Faculty Directory
• Open Faculty Positions
• Policies and Documents
• Professional Studies
• Continuing Education
• Executive Education for Industry Leaders
• High School Academy
• Areas of study
• Divisions & Departments
• Professional Pathways
• Degree Directory
• Graduate Admissions Criteria
• Graduate Application Requirements and Deadlines
• Graduate Financial Aid
• Summer Publishing Institute
• Undergraduate
• Undergraduate Admissions Criteria
• Undergraduate Application Requirements and Deadlines
• Undergraduate Financial Aid
• Transfer Students
• Adult Learning
• Your Community
• New Students
• DAUS: Military Veterans
• Global Perspective
• Graduate Events
• Undergraduate Events
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Student Success
• Academic Advising
• Student Life
• Resources and Services
• University Life
• Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
• Health and Wellness
• Studying in New York City
• Travel and Transportation
• Policies and Procedures
• NYU SPS Wasserman Center
• Career Success
• Industry Engagement
• Hire NYU Talent
• Faculty Engagement
• STUDENTS & ALUMNI: GET STARTED
• Events Central
• Office of Events
• Meet the Team
• SPS Conference Room and Event Spaces
• Event Request Form
• Event Guidelines
• Conferences
• Hospitality Conference
• Capital Markets in Real Estate
• Women in Real Estate
• REIT Symposium
• NYU Coaching and Technology Summit
• Future Workforce Global Summit
• NYU SPS Events
• Undergraduate Convocation
• Graduate Convocation
• Student Events
• Capstone Fair
• Alumni Advantage
• Alumni Stories
• Current Alumni
• Give to NYU SPS
• Parents Council
• SPS Reunion
• NYU SPS Home
• MS in Global Affairs

Master's (MSGA) in Global Affairs

Study on-site.

The MS in Global Affairs (MSGA) is the flagship graduate program of the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs (CGA) , repeatedly ranked by the Foreign Policy Association as one of the nation’s leading institutions in preparing students for international relations and foreign service jobs. The MSGA curriculum provides the global insight and contextual perspectives of international affairs that are needed to become a well-rounded professional in the global arena. It affords you the benefits, resources, and prestige of earning your degree at NYU , while immersing yourself in NYC—home to the United Nations  and one of the largest international affairs/diplomatic communities in the world.

Degree Advantage

• Degree core curriculum that prepares you for international relations jobs across public, private, and nonprofit sectors
• Eight degree concentrations that span across the field of international relations
• Specializations in Data Analytics , Global Risk , and the United Nations
• Study Abroad Opportunities ( Global Field Intensives )
• Faculty members who are experts in their fields
• Consulting practicums that provide experience in helping organizations to analyze and address challenges
• Internships at government agencies; law firms; and human rights, energy, and environmental organizations
• Flexible full- or part-time study options
• Can be completed in as little as 16 months

VIEW FULL CURRICULUM AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS >

Explore graduate opportunities at nyu sps.

Join an upcoming online session to learn more about our graduate degree programs including the MS in Global Affairs. As an attendee of an Explore Graduate Opportunities at NYU SPS session, you will meet members of our team and have the opportunity to ask questions about the program and application process.

6:00 PM until 7:30 PM EDT  

Who Should Consider Earning the MS in Global Affairs?

The MS in Global Affairs affords student from all walks of life the opportunity to pursue their passion for international affairs with those who share a common bond of wanting to make a difference in the world. Recent college graduates and young professionals from around the globe immerse themselves in the comprehensive curriculum that prepares them well to achieve their career goals and objectives.

DEGREE OVERVIEW VIDEO

Choose from eight degree concentrations.

The MS in Global Affairs provides the flexibility for you to explore a variety of different career options through unique concentrations.

• Environmental/Energy Policy
• Global Economy
• Global Gender Studies
• Human Rights and International Law
• International Development and Humanitarian Assistance
• IR/Global Futures
• Peacebuilding
• Transnational Security

Gain Invaluable Experience Through Study Abroad

Study abroad opportunities abound for MS in Global Affairs students through short-term Global Field Intensives (GFIs). These travel experiences provide deep insights into critical global issues, by immersing students in the cultural, socio-economic, and political intricacies of everyday life. Recent GFIs include trips to: Rwanda, Uganda, Norway, Denmark, and the UAE.

Learn From a Faculty of World-Renowned International Relations Experts

MSGA faculty members are thought leaders and scholars in their areas of expertise who bring deep knowledge of critical global issues to the classroom.They have served in organizations engaged in public policy, refugee relief, and the protection of human rights, and as diplomats, journalists, UN staff members, activists, international attorneys, economists, global energy, and environment experts.

Internships and Job Opportunities

Through the Center for Global Affairs and the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS , MSGA students have the opportunity to complete international relations internships that provide the hands-on experience needed to accelerate their careers. Many of these internships evolve into permanent jobs. Our graduates go on to a wide range of careers in a broad array of companies and organizations including:

• AIG • Con Edison • Department of Homeland Security • Eurasia Group • Freedom House • Human Rights Watch

• S&P Global Platts • The Brookings Institution • UNICEF UN Development • Program UN Women • US Department of Energy

Meet Our Alumni!

CGA is proud to service bright individuals and prepare them for a meaningful career in Global Affairs. Get to know some of our Alumni and see where their degree has led them to.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why choose a career in global affairs/international relations.

Choosing a career in global affairs/international relations prepares you for a range of professional options in government agencies, the UN, NGOs, corporations, think tanks, and intelligence and security agencies. Those who possess the knowledge and skills to address today’s global challenges are in high demand.

What is the study of global affairs?

The study of global affairs includes numerous interconnected disciplines—transnational security, cyber intelligence, global risk, international law, governance, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, gender, economics, development, the environment, energy, and human rights—all concentrations within the MS in Global Affairs.

What can I do with a master’s in global affairs?

You can do many things with a master's in global affairs including working for: an NGO in human rights, refugee relief, child welfare, advocacy, or foreign affairs; the US government in Homeland Security, the Department of State or Defense, or the FBI; a mission to the UN; a multilateral agency; or a business or consultancy.

Is an international relations degree similar to a degree in global affairs?

An international relations degree is similar, but most IR master’s degrees have a political science and historical approach, focusing on governments and institutions as the drivers of foreign affairs and relations. The MS in Global Affairs, instead focuses on trends and nontraditional shapers of foreign relations.

Who should earn a master’s in global affairs?

Individuals interested in pursuing a career in the private or public sector can benefit from earning a master’s in global affairs. The MS in Global Affairs provides the competitive and global edge for securing jobs in banks and corporations, nongovernmental and multilateral institutions, and government agencies.

Are there job opportunities in global affairs?

There are many job opportunities in global affairs now and as businesses and organizations become more globalized, those opportunities will only increase. Through internships, the connections of our faculty members, and the NYU SPS Wasserman Center for Career Development, our students secure jobs around the world.

What is the difference between the NYU International Relations masters degree and MSGA?

The difference between the MS in Global Affairs and the IR Master’s degree is how classroom learning is applied in the field. Our eight concentrations and three specializations include many courses unique to the program. Consulting practicums afford options to apply knowledge acquired at global sites, and within agencies such as the UN Counterterrorism Executive Directorate.

Connect With Us

Your request has been submitted.

Domingo Morel

Associate professor of political science and public service.

Domingo Morel is an Associate Professor at  New York University's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service  and holds a joint appointment in NYU's Wilf Family Department of Politics . His research focuses on racial and ethnic politics, urban politics, education politics and public policy. He is the author of  Takeover: Race, Education, and American Democracy (2018, Oxford University Press), which won the W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award. He is also co-editor of  Latino Mayors: Power and Political Change in the Postindustrial City (2018, Temple University Press).

His recently published book Developing Scholars: Race, Politics, and the Pursuit of Higher Education (2023, Oxford University Press) examines the history and politics of college access programs created for students of color in the 1960s. The book challenges conventional wisdom about the role of protest in creating and maintaining policy and introduces a perspective on affirmative action policy that has received less attention from scholars, legal analysts, and practitioners.

In addition to his scholarship, Dr. Morel has years of applied experience in education, political affairs, and public policy. Prior to pursuing his Ph.D., he worked in higher education for special programs designed to provide college access and support services to students from traditionally underserved populations. He is also co-founder of the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University and past president of the Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committee.

He received his Ph.D. in political science from Brown University in 2014.

Spring 2024

Padm-gp.2411.: policy formation and policy analysis.

The purpose of the course is to deepen students’ understanding of the way in which public policy and political realities interact in American government at the national, state, and local levels: how political pressures limit policy choices, how policy choices in turn reshape politics, and how policymakers can function in the interplay of competing forces. The theme explored is how public officials balance concerns for substantive policy objectives, institutional politics and elective politics in order to achieve change. The nature of key legislative and executive institutional objectives and roles is examined. In addition, attention is given to the role of policy analysis and analysts in shaping policy decisions, seeking to identify their potential for positive impact and their limitations in the political process.

A second goal of the course is to sharpen students’ ability to think and write like professional policy analysts. Students will be asked to apply both policy analysis framework and political perspective to the issues under discussion.

CORE-GP.1022.: Introduction to Public Policy

Introduction to Public Policy covers a wide range of topics, from the norms and values informing democratic policymaking to the basics of cost-benefit and other tools of policy analysis. Though emphases will differ based on instructor strengths, all sections will address the institutional arrangements for making public policy decisions, the role of various actors-including nonprofit and private-sector professionals-in shaping policy outcomes, and the fundamentals (and limits) of analytic approaches to public policy.

Note: Students who have not taken an American Government course, or have not taken the course in many years, are strongly encouraged to brush up on knowledge of the basic design and functions of the governmental units in the United States.

Spring 2023

. Developing Scholars: Race, Politics and the Pursuit of Higher Education.

Politics (BA)

Program description, honors program, preparation for law school, ba/ma program in politics.

A vibrant home for those interested in government and public affairs, the Wilf Family Department of Politics gives students the skills needed to reach a deeper analytical understanding of political events that is grounded in logic and evidence. We encourage a truly scientific inquiry into politics that informs a critical discussion of political institutions and a rigorous approach to effecting positive political change.

We offer courses in political theory, quantitative and formal political analysis, American politics, comparative politics, and international politics. Our curriculum covers a wide range of substantive topics including law, elections, ethnic conflict, justice, economic development, political accountability, war and peacekeeping, public policy, democracy, political economy, strategy, and political attitudes and beliefs. Our faculty specializes in the politics of the United States and countries around the globe. Courses are regularly offered on Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, Russia, India, China, and Japan.

The analytical skills gained by politics majors prepare them for a wide range of careers. Our graduates accept positions with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, international finance groups, multinational corporations, law firms, and other institutions. Many pursue further study in fields such as political science, law, and public and international affairs at highly competitive universities.

For admission to and completion of the department’s honors program, students must have a GPA of 3.65 both overall and in the politics major. The deadline for applying to the honors program is March 1 in spring of junior year. To be eligible for application students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in POL-UA 850 Introduction to Research Methods for Politics , as well as either  ECON-UA 1 Introduction to Macroeconomics  or  ECON-UA 2 Introduction to Microeconomics . Admitted students register for  POL-UA 950 Senior Honors I  (fall) to prepare a research proposal for their thesis, which they write in the spring while taking  POL-UA 951 Senior Honors II . The thesis and its oral defense must be approved by both the instructor teaching Senior Honors II and the second reader of the thesis.

Although law schools do not require any particular major or course of study, politics can be an especially useful field for students planning legal study and a career in law. Students interested in a course of study that prepares them for law school may wish to choose courses in consultation with the College’s Prelaw Program. For information about the program, please visit  prelaw.cas.nyu.edu .

The College of Arts and Science and the Graduate School of Arts and Science offer an accelerated dual-degree BA/MA program in politics. Bachelor’s-master’s students who satisfy the track's undergraduate requirements receive a scholarship covering 50% of MA tuition and registration fees during the graduate school year. The GSAS requirement to take the GRE is also waived. This dual-degree program is open only CAS students majoring or minoring in politics or international relations. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 48 credits toward the BA but not more than 96 credits or six semesters, whichever comes first. Questions about eligibility for, or application to, the BA/MA program should be directed to the CAS Advising Center (726 Broadway, 7th floor; 212-998-8130).

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU.  For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply . 

Program Requirements

American political practice and leadership track, graduate courses open to undergraduates.

The major requirements (40 credits in the department and chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser) must be completed with a grade of C or better. Courses graded as Pass/Fail do not count.

This program offers a track in American Political Practice and Leadership providing students with an opportunity to gain skills and experience in applied American politics (via a study-away semester at NYU-Washington DC). See below for track requirements.

The foreign language requirement is satisfied upon successful completion through the Intermediate level of a language. This may be accomplished in fewer than 16 credits, but those credits must then be completed as elective credit.

Because the four core courses serve as prerequisites to many upper-level politics courses, majors are advised to take core courses early in their program of study.

Must select at least one course from three of the following fields: Political Theory, American Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics and Analytical Politics.

Although it is not required for the major, POL-UA 850 Introduction to Research Methods for Politics is strongly recommended. Students are advised to take it before enrolling in other advanced courses in the major.

This track (open only to declared politics majors) offers students the opportunity to gain skills and experience in applied American politics via a study away semester at NYU’s site in Washington, D.C., while also acquiring the analytical understanding provided by American politics courses offered at NYU Washington Square.

These are the only internship credits allowed to count toward the politics major.

At least one must be taken at NYU Washington, D.C. and at least one at the Washington Square campus, and at least one must be in a sub-field related to the student’s internship.

Courses at the 1000 and 2000 levels are open to exceptional undergraduates with an adequate background in politics. Requires written permission of the instructor or, in the instructor’s absence, the director of graduate studies.

Sample Plan of Study

Note: Majors must take at least two of the department's core courses (POL-UA 100, 300, 500, 700). Because these courses serve as prerequisites to many upper-level major courses, this sample plan shows a student taking three of them.

At least one course for the major must be taken in three of the department’s five fields of study: political theory; American government and politics; comparative politics; international politics; analytical politics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have acquired:

• The ability to analyze both complex political issues and quantitative data.
• Knowledge of the fundamental theoretical debates in the subfields of politics.
• Advanced knowledge of specialized topics in politics, and the requisite skills for conducting sophisticated research on those topics.
• Fluency in presenting well-grounded arguments, both orally and in writing.

Double Counting of Courses

Major policies, nyu policies, college of arts and science policies.

Students majoring in Politics may double-count no more than two courses between this major and a second major or a minor. They must first secure permission from both the Department of Politics and the other major or minor department or program.

No more than five courses (20 credits) can be accepted as transfer credit toward the major. NYU study away courses, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) and other advanced standing credit by examination, are treated as transfer credit for all students.

Students may count eight points (the equivalent of two courses) from Advanced Placement (Comparative and U.S.), International Baccalaureate (Global Politics), or Advanced (A) Level (Government and Politics) examinations towards the requirements of the major. Up to eight points from other advanced standing examinations may be accepted after consultation with the department. None of these credits can substitute for any specific course or requirement in the major (such as one of the core requirements); they simply count as generic POL-UA credit toward the major.

No more than three NYU study away courses (12 credits) may count toward the major.

POL-UA 970 Internship in Pol & Govt , POL-UA 971 , and POL-UA 990 Readings & Research do not count toward the major.

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .

A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page . 

Print Options

Send Page to Printer

Print this page.

Download Page (PDF)

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

• Current Students
• Latest News
• Social Media Directory
• Search NYU Abu Dhabi

• Undergraduate
• Faculty Profiles
• Community Programs
• Academic Strategy
• Executive Education
• Strategic Philanthropy Initiative

• Research Institute Centers
• Faculty Labs and Projects
• Facilities and Support
• Postdoctoral Research

• Living in Abu Dhabi
• Undergraduate Experience
• Graduate Student Community
• Athletics and Fitness
• Student Stories
• Public Programs
• NYUAD at a Glance
• Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, and Equity
• Leadership and Administration
• 19 Washington Square North
• Community Engagement
• Social Responsibility
• Work With Our Students
• Sustainability and Stewardship
• Contact and Location
• Past Events
• Emergency Alerts

Joan Barceló , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA Universitat de Barcelona; MSc Universitat Pompeu Fabra; MA New York University; PhD Washington Un...

Research Interests: Conflict; Terrorism; Political behavior

Muhammet Ali Bas , Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: PhD University of Rochester

Research Interests: International relations; Formal modeling; Political methodology

Cristina Buarque de Hollanda , Adjunct Lecturer of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: PhD Universitarian Research Institute of Rio de Janeiro, Candido Mendes University, Brazil

Research Interests: Human Rights; Transitional Justice; Political Theory; Brazilian Political Thought

Nancy W. Gleason , Professor of Practice of Political Science; Director, Hilary Ballon Center for Teaching and Learning Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA, George Washington University; MSc London School of Economics; MA The Fletcher School, Tufts Univ...

Research Interests: The Future of Work and Education, Workforce Transformation, Youth Empowerment, Upskilling

Eric Hamilton , Vice Provost for Research Policies and Governance; Lecturer of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: MA Georgetown University; PhD University of Southern California

Research Interests: International Relations Theory; Security Studies; US Foreign and National Security Policy; Middle Ea...

Jonathan Andrew Harris , Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: PhD in Government, Harvard University

Research Interests: Institutions and political behavior in Africa

Jeffrey Jensen , Senior Lecturer of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BS University of Florida; MA, PhD New York University

Research Interests: Comparative political economy

Aaron Kaufman , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA University of California, Berkeley; AM Harvard University; PhD Harvard University

Research Interests: Computational Social Science; Data Science; American Politics

Korhan Kocak , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA Sabanci University; MA Sabanci University; MA Princeton University; PhD Princeton University

Research Interests: Political Economy; Formal Theory; Comparative Politics

Gabriel Koehler-Derrick , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA Tufts University, MA Columbia University, PhD Harvard University

Research Interests: Development; State building; MENA region; Religious politics

Robert Kubinec , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA Wheaton College; MA George Washington University; PhD University of Virginia

Research Interests: Business Influence on Politics, Entrepreneurship, Bayesian Statistics, Online Survey Methodology

Benjamin Laughlin , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA University of Washington; PhD University of Rochester

Research Interests: Comparative politics; Political economy; Conflict; Ethnic and national identity

Abdul Noury , Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA, MA, and PhD summa cum laude Université Libre de Bruxelles

Research Interests: European Union ideology; Nationality; Party systems

Ömer Faruk Örsün , Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: MA University of Essex; PhD Koç University; Postdoc Harvard University

Research Interests: International Security; Machine Learning

Christopher Paik , Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BCom University of British Columbia; MA University of Toronto; PhD Stanford University

Research Interests: International politics; Political geography; Comparative political economy; Economic history

Giuliana Pardelli , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA Universidade de São Paulo; MA Paris School of Economics; MA Hertie School of Governance; PhD Prin...

Research Interests: Political Economy; Taxation; State Capacity; Public Goods Provision; Inequality

Leonid Peisakhin , Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: B.A. Harvard University; M.Phil. University of Oxford; Ph.D. Yale University

Research Interests: Comparative politics; Political economy; Political identities; Historical legacies; Post-conflict re...

Melina Platas , Assistant Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: PhD Political Science, Stanford University; BA in Human Biology, Stanford University

Research Interests: Comparative political and human development in sub-Saharan Africa

Adam Ramey , Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA George Washington University; MA, PhD University of Rochester

Research Interests: American Politics; Legislative Institutions; Political Methodology

Rahul Sagar , Global Network Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected]

Research Interests: Political theory; Political ethics; Public policy

Sujeong Shim , Assistant Professor Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: BA Northwestern University; PhD University of Wisconsin, Madison

Research Interests: International Political Economy; International Organizations; Domestic Politics

Peter Cornelis van der Windt , Program Head of Political Science; Associate Professor of Political Science Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi Email: [email protected] Education: PhD Columbia University; MPhil(cum laude) Tilburg University

Research Interests: Africa; Experiments; Governance; Displacement; Poverty

Political Science or Political Science — Public Service

Which major to pick based on your career goals.

• by Ryleigh J. Praker
• April 24, 2024

If you’re interested in majoring in political science at UC Davis, you may have noticed that the university offers two undergraduate political science majors: political science and political science — public service. 

The difference between these two majors may not be immediately clear, so which one should you pick? If you find yourself facing this dilemma, this article is for you.

Why study political science?

Political science is the study of systems and theories of government. This field encompasses a broad range of topics. At UC Davis, political science courses fall into four different fields: 

• American politics
• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Political theory

Within these categories, you might take courses on voting behavior, national security policy, constitutional law or medieval political philosophy.

Studying political science is a great choice for anyone interested in politics and current events, or planning a career in law, journalism or activism. If you are passionate about championing social justice or giving a legal voice to those in need, a degree in political science will give you the skills and knowledge to use systems of law and government to affect change.

If you’re not certain about those fields, there’s no need to worry. A political science degree comes with a skillset that is broadly applicable to a wide range of careers. You’ll develop proficiency in data analysis, critical thinking, writing, speaking, leadership and teamwork.

Once you’ve decided that political science might be the field for you, you’ll need to pick a major. At UC Davis, that means choosing between political science and political science — public service.

What is the political science major like?

The first available major is the general political science major . It offers a broad range of study. As a political science major, you will choose courses from at least three of the four fields of concentration.

You can pick which fields you would like to weight more heavily to design your own course of study. For example, if you’re interested in law, you could take mostly American politics and political theory courses, with some international relations for variety. Or, if you’re more interested in studying world governments, you can spend most of your time on comparative politics and international relations.

The main appeal of the political science major is its breadth and flexibility. This major allows you to sample from a wide variety of topics and study politics across both borders and centuries. To learn more about the major, consider reading our article “ What Can I Do With My Political Science Major? ”.

What is the political science — public service major like?

The political science — public service major focuses more narrowly on American politics and policy. You will take courses from a core program on institutions and processes of American government. In addition, you’ll choose courses from different areas of concentration — foreign policy, environmental policy and social policy, to name a few. These areas of concentration may allow you to take courses outside the Department of Political Science that will count toward your major.

The political science — public service major also features a required internship and research experience. You can either participate in a quarter away like the UC Davis Washington Program or UC Center Sacramento program , or you can find your own independent internship in public policy. This is a great opportunity to gain some professional experience working in the field. It may also give you a better idea of what you want to do with your degree after you graduate.

To learn more about options for the internship experience, visit the internships page of the UC Davis Department of Political Science .

This major is much narrower in scope, but it allows you to study certain areas of American politics and policy in more depth. If you know your interest lies in American government and law, the political science — public service major can help you develop skills to work with public policy after graduation. This major is especially well-suited for anyone interested in running for office or working in government.

Choose a major based on your career path

The most important question to consider when choosing your major is where you want to go with it. Narrowing down what you’d like to do after graduation will help you pick which political science major best suits your goals.

If you are interested in a career in law, journalism, diplomacy, research or academia, you will want to pick a major that will afford you a broad and diverse range of knowledge and experience. The political science major is a perfect choice for these fields. By building a course of study across all four fields of political science, you can develop a broad and versatile base of knowledge.

If you are more interested in government, campaign or nonprofit work or specific areas of law like environmental and public interest law, the political science — public service major may be the choice for you. This major suits these careers because it gives you a more specialized line of insight into policy-making and policy implementation without requiring a broader knowledge of political theory or international affairs.

The political science — public service major is also ideal for students interested in immediately getting involved in community organizing, state and local government or nonprofit work rather than pursuing a higher-level degree.

Deciding which major to pick based on your desired career path can help you optimize your time in undergrad. However, both majors can give you the skills needed to enter many fields, so don’t panic if you don’t know which one to choose. And remember — you can always switch majors. Some of the coursework for one political science major will be transferable to the other; check with your advisor to see which courses can be applied to both.

Two perspectives from political science majors

R.J. Praker: Political Science A.B.

I started at UC Davis as a declared political science — public service major. Partway through my first year, I decided to switch to the political science major. Why?

Early on in my college career, I realized I didn’t want to work in government. Instead, my interest lay in nonprofit and private law. I was fascinated by constitutional law and legal theory, so I wanted to include political theory courses in my major program. The political science major gave me the breadth I desired to explore the political science field.

My switch in majors also allowed me to incorporate my other interests. In addition to my major, I am minoring in Russian. By choosing the political science major, I was able to count the Russian and Eastern European politics courses I was taking supplementally toward my major.

I love the flexibility my major offers! By choosing political science, I’ve been able to stack my schedule with constitutional law and Slavic politics, which wouldn’t be possible in a different major.

Cynthia Hoang-Duong: Political Science — Public Service A.B.

Cynthia plans to attend law school and become an attorney. She entered UC Davis as a psychology major, but after her first quarter, she decided to switch to political science — public service. When asked why she switched majors, she had three reasons:

Political science — public service has an internship requirement . I felt like I really needed an internship but was scared I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t need to in order to graduate.   Public service has a greater range of fields — like social policy, which I’m interested in. Political science would have allowed me to take pre-law classes, but I preferred to also have the option to take sociology classes.   Being able to take sociology courses like ‘The Criminal Justice System’ and ‘Sociology of Law’ means I’m able to learn more about criminal law , which is what I want to do in my future career.

Cynthia recommends the political science — public service major to students who are interested in an internship in political science but aren’t sure where to start. She also recommends it to students who want to incorporate other fields, like sociology or economics, into their political science major.

Choosing political science at UC Davis

The bottom line is that it’s best to explore your options thoroughly before making a decision. Remember — over half of UC Davis students change their major at some point in their undergraduate career. There’s nothing wrong with experimenting with different programs to see what’s right for you.

If you’re interested in political science but aren’t sure these majors are for you, you should also investigate the international relations major or political science minor .

Now that you understand the difference between UC Davis’ two political science majors, you’ll be better equipped to choose which major suits you better. Take some time to review the requirements for both and to reflect on your interests and career goals.

To learn more and make a concrete plan, explore advising resources at the UC Davis Department of Political Science Advising Center .

View our political science major  

View our political science — public service major

R.J. Praker (she/her) is a third year pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in professional writing and Russian . She currently works as a writing intern for UC Davis' Office of Strategic Communications and an academic peer advisor for the Department of Political Science . She also serves as chief copy editor at the Davis Political Review . R.J. is from Placerville, California and loves to hike in the Sierra Nevada with her family’s dogs.

Primary Category