Do you know that some of the top political science schools in the United States are known for their award-winning faculties, innovative centers and institutions? Yes, these schools also have experiential opportunities, such as study abroad programs and internships.
Since political science is a popular discipline across colleges and universities in the United States, one must ensure he or she is admitted into the best. However, while many people associate political science with debates and discussions, the field entails much more than that.
Political science programs often include field experience as a component of the curriculum. Students pursuing political science can apply for internships in federal, state, and nonprofit entities. Below is a list of the top 10 best political science schools in the United States.
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10 Top Political Science Schools in the US
Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
Vanderbilt university is one of the top political schools in the U.S. If offers a major in political science and three minors:
- American politics.
- World politics.
- Political theory.
37% of the graduates from this school enter the private sector, where they are involved in data analysis, social media, finance, and public relations. Others (28%) proceed to law school, and 8% join non-profit organizations focused on climate policy, human rights, or election integrity.
Also, do you know that undergraduates of this school have access to a wide range of courses? These courses are focused on current issues in the political realm. This school has several noteworthy centers dedicated to political science, including the Researching on Conflict and Collective Action (ROCCA) Lab.
Also, it might interest you that undergraduates collaborate with graduate students and faculty members. They engage in research on political violence and collective responses.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
This is one of the top political schools in the US. MIT is renowned for its exceptional programs beyond computer science, including its political science major. The school allows students to conduct field research in U.S. voting booths and other political settings in countries like China, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Also, all political science majors enroll in a political science lab in their junior year. They use quantitative methods to conduct public opinion polls and analyze voting behavior. Also, quantitative methods are used to compare democratic processes among three or more countries.
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University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
The University of Pennsylvania has witnessed a recent surge in students majoring in political science. And as a result, has increased its political science faculty by 50%. Undergraduates can choose from four concentrations in international relations, comparative politics, American politics, and political theory.
This school trains students to; within the American politics field, analyze issues like political polling dynamics. It might interest you to know that in various internships, students can gain valuable experience working in locations such as:
- The U.S. Department of Education.
- The House Budget Committee.
- White House Office of Public Engagement.
University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
This is an outstanding school. It might interest you to know that some of the most distinguished leaders in political thought have walked the halls of the University of Chicago’s Department of Political Science.
Undergraduates of this school take an intersectional approach to analyze the different iterations of capitalism throughout history. The aim is to make predictions regarding the future of nations.
The school values exceptional writing skills and requires all students to produce and it is one of the top political schools in the US.
Duke University (Durham, NC)
This is one of the top political schools in the US. It boasts a highly qualified faculty. This includes professors who have been named Fulbright Scholars, held leadership positions at the National Security Council, and served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Many undergraduates at Duke choose to double major in political science and other areas such as:
- Mathematics.
- Economics.
- Philosophy.
Upon graduating, political science majors enjoy fulfilling careers in think tanks, media organizations, and public administration. There are internship opportunities. These opportunities place students in the room where vital decision-making occurs, and many students choose to study abroad in places like Denmark, Russia, and South Africa.
Interestingly, Duke’s curriculum offers several concentrations, including:
- Security.
- Peace and Conflict.
Undergraduates in this field engage in thought-provoking classes that examine the politics of authoritarian regimes, terrorism, and global corruption – all critical issues in the 21st century.
Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
Georgetown University is located in Washington, DC. It provides political science majors with access to political institutions like:
- The U.S. Supreme Court.
- The Library of Congress.
- World Bank.
Interestingly, this means that students can access a long roster of internships. Also, undergraduates at Georgetown can choose between two majors: the government or political economy.
Additionally, the government major features an integrated writing requirement where students complete writing assignments of various lengths in the form of policy briefs, critical papers, and case studies.
Also, students with a GPA exceeding 3.5 can apply for the Government Honors Program in the fall of their junior year.
Stanford University
This is another top political schools in the US. It is located in Stanford, California. Also, it is known for its commitment to teaching students both qualitative and quantitative methods of examining political phenomena. Also, the political science program encourages students to develop expertise in these areas. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including nonprofit, academic, business, and government.
Princeton University
It is located in Princeton, New Jersey. It has political science program that is one of the largest within the university. Despite its size, classes remain intimate. Undergraduates complete their junior papers and senior theses under the guidance of one or more faculty members.
However, in courses like “Mass Media, Social Media, and American Politics,” students examine the role of media in electoral campaigns and shaping the behavior of elected politicians. Meanwhile, in “Causes of War,” students investigate the reasons that states enter into wars and propose ways to avoid it.
Princeton’s political science program has produced some notable alumni, such as:
- Former U.S. Attorney and FBI Director Robert Mueller.
- Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell.
Yale University (New Haven, CT)
Yake is one of the top political schools in the US. It has over 400 undergraduates pursuing a degree in political science. It might interest you to know that the Department of Political Science at Yale stands out from others.
It allows undergraduates to declare their major at any time during their four years of study. Also, the department offers a standard, intensive (accelerated), or interdisciplinary major in one of five concentrations.
Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
This is one of the top political schools in the US. It has the largest political science undergraduate population. Harvard has over 450 students pursuing a degree in concentrations such as:
- Public policy.
- Tech science.
Also, the program allows students to explore how technology affects social conflicts and how to create prototypes to remedy problems. Interestingly, Harvard’s political science majors can conduct independent research. Additionally, they can write about their chosen topic.
