Understanding How Political Processes Shape Community Decisions

Our programs bridge the humanities and social sciences and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students.

About the Department

Our community provides a bedrock for academic exploration and intellectual engagement at UConn. We produce cutting-edge research that reflects our commitment to methodological and intellectual openness and diversity.

By the Numbers

900+
Undergraduate Majors

115
Honors Students

40
Faculty at Five UConn Campuses

40
Graduate Students

7
New Research Labs

Quick Links

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Find a Professor

Browse our faculty directory and explore how their research is working to address critical questions in political science.
 
Meet Our Faculty

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Academic Advising

Our advisors help students navigate their degree requirements, select courses, and make the most of their academic experience.
 
Connect With Us

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Undergraduate Courses

Explore a broad range of topics in political science, including political theory, international relations, and American politics.

Browse Courses

Research

Our Department is organized around five subfields that reflect the conceptual and theoretical questions addressed in political science:

  • American Politics
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Theory
  • Public Law

News

  • POLS Launches Pilot Alumni Mentorship Program
    The pilot POLS Alumni Mentorship Program will provide 10 political science majors an opportunity to gain career guidance and leadership support from high-profile alumni of the UConn Department of Political Science.
    Posted on October 21, 2025
  • Alumni Notes: Early Spring 2025
    Adam Kuegler (’17) is the first UConn Law graduate to be accepted to the Supreme Court Fellows Program. Dan Fata (’94), Jeffrey Dressler (’08), and Jaime Cheshire (’99)‘s service on the Afghanistan War Commission was mentioned in UConn Magazine.  Susette Talarico (’76) was awarded The President’s Medal at the University of Georgia for her profoundly […]
    Posted on March 31, 2025
  • Faculty Achievements: Early Spring 2025
    Dr. Matthew Singer’s paper “This Crisis Is Different: Weakened Economic Accountability During the COVID-19 Pandemic” was published in Presidential Studies Quarterly on Jan 15, 2025.  Dr. Zehra Arat, Dr. Jason Byers, and Dr. Sandy Grande were winners of the 2024-2025 Course Development Grant Competition to create new courses. Dr. Arat’s course will be “Women’s Rights […]
    Posted on March 31, 2025

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Account avatar for UConn Department of Political Science

UConn Department of Political Science

8 hours ago

Congratulations Professor Grande and Colleagues!!! Read More at: https://today.uconn.edu/2025/10/uconn-honors-faculty-staff-students-and-community-partners-at-2025-provosts-awards-celebration/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNtn75leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrbHJhdzFQVmF3bHM0clcxAR5G7dkwAkiZ8vLIIUG3K_xdfd6mwvrQo_g7Gr0Tvtjb6rWKiHCHrQOM6QTGcA_aem_QW2jztFtANSLdvHzVN9Fag Lightbox link for post with description Congratulations Professor Grande and ...

Congratulations Professor Grande and Colleagues!!!

Read More at:
...https://today.uconn.edu/2025/10/uconn-honors-faculty-staff-students-and-community-partners-at-2025-provosts-awards-celebration/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNtn75leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrbHJhdzFQVmF3bHM0clcxAR5G7dkwAkiZ8vLIIUG3K_xdfd6mwvrQo_g7Gr0Tvtjb6rWKiHCHrQOM6QTGcA_aem_QW2jztFtANSLdvHzVN9Fag

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UConn Department of Political Science

5 days ago

Interested in completing credits and fulfilling requirements over the winter? The POLS department is offering a variety of courses that fulfill different subsections and categories/TOIs!!! Check out https://wintersession.uconn.edu/winter-courses/ for more information!! Lightbox link for post with description Interested in completing credits and fulfilling...

Interested in completing credits and fulfilling requirements over the winter? The POLS department is offering a variety of courses that fulfill different subsections and categories/TOIs!!! Check out https://wintersession.uconn.edu/winter-courses/ for more information!!

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UConn Department of Political Science

6 days ago

Apply to be one of the ten POLS Majors selected for a new year-long Mentorship Program that will equip you with career guidance and leadership support from high-profile POLS alumni starting in Spring 2026 semester through the Fall 2026 semester. Deadline: November 10. 2025 (5 pm) Link to application portal here: https://polisci.uconn.edu/2025/10/21/pols-launches-pilot-alumni-mentorship-program/ Lightbox link for post with description Apply to be one of the ten POLS Majors selected...

Apply to be one of the ten POLS Majors selected for a new year-long Mentorship Program that will equip you with career guidance and leadership support from high-profile POLS alumni starting in Spring 2026 semester through the Fall 2026 semester.

Deadline: November 10. 2025 (5 pm)
Link ...to application portal here: https://polisci.uconn.edu/2025/10/21/pols-launches-pilot-alumni-mentorship-program/

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