To make change, understand power. 

Our lives are affected by politics every day, and political events are happening all around us. Political Science is the study of politics and power in its many forms, including protest movements and revolutions, law-making and criminal justice, war and international conflicts, human rights violations and efforts to stop them, campaigns and elections in the U.S. and around the world, and competing political ideas and ideologies.

Our courses provide the tools to analyze and understand all of these things and more, and they also help students develop skills in research, analysis, writing, and speaking that are necessary for success in a variety of professions. Our graduates work in nonprofit organizations, international affairs, law, business, education, advocacy groups, and in local, state, and national government.

The GVSU Political Science Department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science. We also host an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.


Events

Fulbright US Student Program - Virtual Information Session

June 24, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? Are you curious about studying for a Master's degree abroad? The Fulbright program might be for you! Join me to learn more! For more Information...

GVSU Alumni Day at Michigan's Adventure

June 26, 2026 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Join us for a relaxed summer day at Michigan’s Adventure! Enjoy the park at your own pace, then gather for an early dinner in the pavilion to connect and create shared memories with...

Tabling at Holland Pride!

June 27, 2026 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Stop by GVSU's booth at Holland Pride this summer! Our booth number will be confirmed soon. Holland Pride WebsiteSponsored by the Division of People, Equity, and Culture and our Rainbow Resource...

Summer Concert Series at Cook Carillon Tower

June 30, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for a live outdoor concert in the heart of Grand Valley's beautiful Allendale campus! Enjoy tranquil lake views and inspiring performances...

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News

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

Olivia Robach (PLS and IR double major) earned a scholarship to join student scholars from around the US to attend the annual conference of the World Affairs Council in Washington, DC in November 2025.

Dec 3, 2025

Kilburn Publishes New Book

Kilburn Publishes New Book

This spring, Dr. Whitt Kilburn, Associate Professor of Political Science at Grand Valley State University, published Introduction to Political Analysis in R through Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Sep 12, 2025

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PLS Alumni Spotlights

Andrea Haverdink

Digital Director at Americans For Tax Fairness and Creative Director for Unfiltered Media

Steve Smith

Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Worldwide Digital Content, Advertising, and Corporate Development

Hannah Patrick

Contracts Administrator for Integrated Health Partners

Amanda Fortino

Director of Leadership Giving at Farm Sanctuary

Kirsten Zeiter

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Reginald Oates

Program Evaluator for Government-funded Programs

Morgan Taylor

Educational Policy Analyst

View More PLS Alumni Spotlights



Page last modified July 18, 2025