About the Program

How are political decisions made? The Political Science program at Stanford equips you to systematically analyze the realities of political life within an American and global context. This program provides a strong foundation for careers in government, law, business, and media, empowering you with the rigorous analytical skills needed to understand and shape the world around you.

What You'll Study

Your coursework in Political Science is designed to give you both a broad understanding of the field and the opportunity to specialize in an area that captures your interest. Key features of the program include:

• Building on a core foundation, you will choose two of five tracks within the major to focus on: Data Science; Elections, Representation, and Governance; International Relations; Justice and Law; or Political Economy and Development. 

• Supplement your choice of tracks with foundational Political Science courses and a number of other course options offered throughout the university. 

• Throughout the program you will be building the analytical skills necessary to understand complex systems and evaluate evidence critically, using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

• Students have the opportunity to apply for the Research Honors Program in Political Science, allowing them to pursue a research project under the supervision of a faculty member and produce an honors thesis.