Florida State University is home to one of the nation’s leading political science departments and one of FSU’s largest undergraduate majors. Our students learn from nationally and internationally recognized faculty while exploring the ideas, institutions, and forces that shape politics in the United States and around the world.
The political science major offers students both breadth and flexibility. Courses span four core areas—American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Public Policy—while allowing students to pursue the topics and questions that interest them most. Students may also incorporate related coursework from other programs at FSU.
Our courses are designed not simply to teach students about politics but to develop skills they can use well beyond the classroom. Political science students learn to evaluate competing arguments, assess evidence, analyze data, communicate clearly and persuasively, and approach complex problems critically and independently. These skills prepare our graduates for careers in law, government, public policy, business, campaigns and elections, advocacy, communications, research, and the nonprofit sector, as well as for law school and graduate and professional education.
Students who want to take their academic experience further can participate in faculty research, pursue Honors in the Major, and take advantage of other research and experiential-learning opportunities across FSU. The department’s Research-Intensive Bachelor’s Certificate (RIBC) provides a structured opportunity for students to develop advanced research skills through specialized coursework and hands-on research experiences with faculty.
Whether students come to political science with plans for a particular career or simply a desire to better understand politics and government, our goal is to provide them with the knowledge, analytical skills, and experiences they need to make the most of their time at FSU… and to prepare them for what comes next.