Politics is Pervasive

It merges ideas with passion. It affects commerce. Education. Safety, protection, and freedom. It’s about community and can bring people together or wedge them apart. When you understand how it works, you can harness its power for good.

The Purchase Experience

Students learn how to conduct competent political science research in courses that cover American and international politics and perpetually concerning issues such as equality, rights, and justice. Interdisciplinary at its core, our program collaborates closely with others, including Latin American, Caribbean, and LatinX studies, Global Black Studies, Environmental Studies, and Gender Studies.

Because politics are intertwined with economic and social issues, many students choose to double-major in Economics, Sociology, History, or Journalism.

Members of the political science faculty have broad and diverse backgrounds, have won numerous awards, and have published more than 50 books and articles.

Senior Project

The senior project is a two-semester thesis project. You’ll work with a faculty member to develop an original, in-depth perspective on a topic of your choice.

Our Graduates

Students who’ve graduated from Purchase move onto…

  • public service
  • government agencies, nonprofits, or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
  • elected office
  • law school or graduate programs
  • careers in international affairs
  • teachers
  • journalists

Meet a few below.

Career Possibilities

Students with a BA in political science have found success in a wide variety of careers, including:

  • City Planner
  • Judge
  • Market Researcher

Visit the Career Development Center to learn more.