Five polisci students in front of the Social Sciences building

Department of Political Science

Explore power, change, and justice. UMN Political Science empowers students to analyze issues, challenge perspectives, and shape the world through research and leadership.

Political Science undergraduate student

Graduate

Equity & Diversity

Give to the Max Day

Help shape tomorrow's leaders! November 20 is Give to the Max Day. Your gift to Political Science helps students gain real-world experience through internships in government, law, and nonprofit sectors across Minnesota and Washington, D.C.

Give to Political Science

The Art of the Possible

Political Science Colloquia

Winter campus

One of our greatest strengths is our thriving intellectual community. We host several colloquia where graduate students, faculty, and internationally renowned visiting scholars can share their research.

Recent News

Andy Tao.

Andy Tao Receives 2025 Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED) Award

Motivated to make the world a better place, Andy has spent his time at the University of Minnesota involved in a variety of student organizations and campus offices.

Festive graphic that says "Thank you to our alumni volunteers."

Happy CLA Alumni Appreciation Week

Four CLA Alumni volunteers, each from different backgrounds, share their experiences as volunteers.

Amina Hasan.

Amina Hasan Presents at Eldersveld Emerging Scholars Conference

Through a variety of research projects, academic opportunities, and impactful mentorship, undergraduate student Amina Hasan has found a place in academia.

Drew Hogan smiles at the camera

Graduate Spotlight: Drew Hogan's Dissertation Earns Predoctoral Fellowship at George Washington University

Drew Hogan explores how rhetoric affects public opinion, especially when it comes to foreign policymaking. His research has landed him a fellowship in Washington, DC.

Jack Stelzner.

Internship in Local Politics to Communications Director in D.C.

The internships Jack Stelzner (BA '19) found and gained credit for through the Department of Political Science ultimately led him to his current position in D.C.

Upcoming Events

PoliSci Plug-In: Level Up our Career Game. January 30, 11-12pm, via Zoom.

Online

January 30, 2026

PoliSci Plug-In: Level Up Your Career Game

Learn how to prepare for a career and internship fair from political science advising and CLA Career Services!

Political Science Career and Internship Fair 2026.

In-Person

February 06, 2026

Political Science Career and Internship Fair 2026

Learn about career and internship opportunities available to political science students with a variety of organizations.