What is Political Science?
Are you interested in American politics? Elections? Civil liberties? International relations? Conflict and war? Political systems in other countries? Democratization? Political science is the social scientific study of these issues and many others. If some of these topics seem interesting, majoring in political science might be ideal for you. Our interdisciplinary approach to learning provides students with a unique program emphasizing innovative ways to understand politics, gaining an in-depth understanding of political institutions and behavior at home and abroad.
Political science study at UC Merced gives students a strong foundation for an array of possibilities including academia, teaching, journalism, law school, foreign service, public administration, political campaigns, lobbying, nonprofits and careers in public service.
We also offer a competitive Honors Program for exceptional students.
Fields of Study
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Law and Policy
Updated 2025
