About Us
The Department of Political Science prepares students to lead in government, law and public life by pairing a broad, rigorous curriculum with hands-on experience in the field of politics.
Explore Comprehensive Programs
The Department of Political Science offers comprehensive programs across American politics, comparative politics, international relations, judicial politics and constitutional law. We emphasize analytical rigor, civic engagement and hands-on experience, preparing students for careers in government, law and public life through close mentorship and real-world internships.
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History & Mission
The Department of Political Science has grown into one of the largest and most distinguished departments in the College of Arts & Sciences – more than 400 majors, 19 full-time faculty and a student body that shows up everywhere on campus, from student government to the organizations shaping campus life.
The department is home to the Center for Asian Democracy, which advances research, student opportunities and community engagement on democracy across Central, Southern, Southeast and East Asia, and to the interdisciplinary Asian Studies program. It also manages the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order – the largest and most prestigious award in political science and international relations – bringing the field's biggest ideas to campus every year.
Whether the goal is to work in politics, go to law school or join the public sector, the Department of Political Science gives students the skills, experience and knowledge to meet it.
Who we serve
Most of our students are undergraduates, split between the BA – which can be completed entirely online – and the BS, with its Law & Public Policy track. At the graduate level we serve MA students, students in the accelerated master's through the Soaring Scholars program and students in our dual JD-MA program with the Brandeis School of Law.
We also welcome many minors – including students in the Political Marketing program hosted jointly with the College of Business – along with students from every corner of campus taking a political science course for Cardinal Core. However you arrive, you'll find advising, mentorship and a department that treats your career like its business.
The Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order
Every year, the world's biggest ideas about peace and world order come through this department. Political Science manages the University of Louisville's Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order – the largest and most prestigious award in political science and international relations – and hosts the annual keynote lecture that brings its winners to campus each spring. As a student, you won't just read the field's defining ideas; you'll hear them, question them and meet the people behind them.
The Center for Asian Democracy
Housed in the department, the Center for Asian Democracy advances understanding of democracy across Central, Southern, Southeast and East Asia. The center promotes research, funds student opportunities and hosts community engagement – including its annual lecture each spring – while connecting UofL students and faculty to scholars across the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Quite a few things! We're a top producer of Fulbright and Truman Scholars, giving our students opportunities of a lifetime to expand their horizons. Our Ford Hall Goes to Washington program places students in Washington, D.C. internships with department funding – real political experience in the nation's capital. And we have our own building on campus, Ford Hall, an immersive environment where students really get to know their professors and classmates.
An array tailored to each student's goals: BA and BS options for undergraduates – each with its own tracks – plus a variety of graduate programs. Visit our Degree Programs section to explore the offerings.
Quite a lot! Our alumni have built careers in government, journalism, law, public policy and academia. Political science develops the analytical, research, writing and communication skills that are valuable across a wide variety of fields.
Yes! Our BA can be completed entirely online, providing flexibility for students – and students in the in-person program can also opt to take some classes online.
Yes – we encourage it! Many of our courses are open to students of all majors, and several fulfill Cardinal Core requirements. If you're committed to another major, consider the Political Science minor – it's especially popular with students in history, communication, criminal justice and related fields.
From Campus Leader to National Impact
Ready to follow in the footsteps of senators, Supreme Court justices and Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams? Explore Political Science at the University of Louisville — where Fulbright and Truman Scholars are made, pre-law preparation is strong, and graduates go on to shape policy, practice law, and lead organizations at every level of society.