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

The 45th Annual GVSU Charles H. Irwin Athletic Hall of Fame Reception & Induction Ceremony

November 6, 2026 5:45 PM - 9:00 PM

Join us for the 45th Annual Charles H. Irwin Athletic Hall of Fame Reception and Induction Ceremony on November 6! The reception will begin at 5:45 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 7:00 p.m.We look...

The 45th Annual GVSU Charles H. Irwin Athletic Hall of Fame Reception & Induction Ceremony

November 6, 2026 5:45 PM - 9:00 PM

Join us for the 45th Annual Charles H. Irwin Athletic Hall of Fame Reception and Induction Ceremony on November 6! The reception will begin at 5:45 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 7:00 p.m.  We...

Study Abroad Info Session: Criminal Justice in Japan

November 9, 2026 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Join program directors Naoki Kanaboshi and Jennifer Marson as well as a representative from JCMU to learn more about the Criminal Justice in Japan program. Monday, Nov. 9 at 12:15pm @ DeVos 201D...

Traverse City KCON Alumni Learning & Connecting

November 9, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Gather with fellow alumni for an evening of continuing education! Join Alumni Relations and the Kirkhof College of Nursing for a free continuing education opportunity focused on pain management....

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News

GV in DC Scholarship

GV in DC Scholarship

Deadline: October 16, 2026

Oct 1, 2026

PAUL B. HENRY CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP

PAUL B. HENRY CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP

Deadline: October 16, 2026

Oct 1, 2026

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PLS Alumni Spotlights

Shaun Brodie

Senior Staff Attorney for the Benefits Review Board at the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Andrew Wilson

Senior Director of Episode Development Analytics at Signify Health

Ethan Haan

Clerk's Assistant with Oakland Township

Steve Smith

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

Alex Houseman

Lobbyist, Obsidian Advocacy Group

Kyle Huisman

Research Analyst at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Joshua Lunger

Vice President of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

View More PLS Alumni Spotlights



Page last modified July 18, 2025