About The Political Science Undergraduate Program

Political science explores how people, groups, and governments wield power, make decisions, manage conflict, and respond to the political, social, and economic challenges society faces.

As a Political Science major, you will study topics ranging from elections and public policy to international conflict and political theory, while learning to think critically and analitically about the ideas, institutions, and incentives that shape political life.

Using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, you'll learn to formulate questions, evaluate evidence, and develop well-reasoned arguments.

The skills you will acquire as a Political Science major will prepare you for careers in government, law, public policy, business, journalism, consulting and the nonprofit sector, as well as for graduate school.

Political Science is one of the largest majors in Yale College and is home to around 45 faculty members whose research and teaching span the discipline's subfields and regions of the world.

In addition to the Political Science Major (Standard Major), the department offers an Interdisciplinary Concentration, an Intensive Major, and a highly selective B.A./M.A. Program. Students majoring in Political Science may pursue their interests across different disciplinary subfields (American Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, and International Relations).