Understand the people, policies, institutions and organizations that shape public life. As a student of political science, you will gain essential analytical and organizational skills that can be applied to exciting careers in government, law, business, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, survey research, journalism and teaching.

The Political Science Department is devoted to the study of politics and government; this includes the study of:

political institutions that exercise government authority, including legislatures, courts and administrative agencies;
political organizations through which individuals and groups seek to reshape the political landscape, including parties, interest groups and social movements;
public policies that reflect governmental efforts to regulate the actions of individuals and corporations, including civil rights, immigration and environmental policy;
the interactions between and among nation-states and;
transnational organizations that shape patterns of trade and development, conflict and cooperation, war, and peace.

full-time faculty teaching and conducting research in political science

66%

of Maxwell faculty conduct research focused outside of the U.S.

graduate students in residence; fewer than 12 admitted each year

Undergraduate Studies

Studying political science will help you understand the workings of political life at the local, national and international levels and will prepare you for a lifetime of active and informed citizenship. The Department of Political Science at Syracuse University has more than thirty full-time faculty that teach a wide variety of courses in multiple subject areas. We will guide you as you explore the world of politics and hone your skills as a researcher, analyst and writer.

Graduate Studies

Master’s and doctoral students receive broad training in quantitative and qualitative methods of social science research, while also concentrating in two of the following substantive fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public administration and policy, law and courts, or security studies.

I am Maxwell.

My time as a student at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School prepared me for my career in the music business in ways I never could have imagined. My passion for utilizing political and legal systems and structures to advocate for and protect people’s rights guides many of the most important decisions I make.”

Jacqueline Saturn ’90 B.A. (PSc)

President of Virgin Music Group North America, 2026 Maxwell | A&S Undergraduate Convocation Speaker

Read more.

Recent Faculty Books

Maxwell's Political Science Department faculty members publish award-winning books on a wide range of topics. Scroll a sample of recently published works below, or visit the Maxwell Faculty Bookshelf for more.

Reeher Discusses Sen. Rick Scott’s Controversial Agenda and Tactics with the Washington Examiner

July 4, 2022

Washington Examiner

Grant Reeher

Political Science Department

Campbell Public Affairs Institute

Congress

Elections

Political Parties

United States

Washington Examiner

Grant Reeher

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) raised an estimated $43 million for the GOP in the first quarter of 2022 as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. However, his controversial policy agenda to raise federal taxes for those who earn the least is putting him at odds with Democratic and Republican leaders alike. Critics accuse the lawmaker of using his post to promote his image and prop up his own political operation while fundraising for incumbent colleagues and prospects.

In a recent interview, Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, told the Washington Examiner, “I don’t think it’s as unusual to do something like that as it would have been 15, 20 years ago… I just think there’s kind of a new normal about political ambition and how individuals assert themselves.”

Read more in the Washington Examiner article “Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott charts contrarian path to future political endeavors.”

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Research

miling, wearing wire-rimmed glasses and a dark polo shirt, against a blue background.

May 21, 2026

Genetic Variability of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater and Associations With Community Transmission

Community Health, COVID-19, Epidemiology, United States, Wastewater Surveillance

Media Coverage

May 20, 2026

Khalil Speaks With News4JAX About the War in Iran

Conflict, Government, International Affairs, International Agreements, Middle East & North Africa, U.S. National Security, United States

Media Coverage

May 19, 2026

Barton Research on Bipartisan Primaries Featured in New York Times Article

Political Parties, State & Local, U.S. Elections, United States

Media Coverage

May 18, 2026

Yingyi Ma Cited in TIME Article on the Trump-Xi Summit and AI

Artificial Intelligence, China, Federal, Government, United States

BaoBao Zhang Joins First Cohort of AI2050 Early Career Fellows

One of only 15 scholars chosen from across the U.S., Zhang will receive up to $200,000 in research funding over the next two years. Zhang will use the funding to partner with the nonprofit, non-partisan Center for New Democratic Processes to test whether public participation in AI governance is increased through the creation of public assemblies, known as “deliberative democracy workshops.”