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

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...

GVSU Alumni at the Whitecaps

July 1, 2026 6:30 PM

Enjoy an evening of baseball and Laker connection as the West Michigan Whitecaps take on the Lake County Captains. Your registration includes buffet access for two hours, unlimited soda and water...

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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

Andrew Wilson

Senior Director of Episode Development Analytics at Signify Health

Jacob Simon

Lawyer and Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University College of Law

Kyle McMillen

Chief Strategy Officer, Parker Strategy Group

Richard Damstra

Special Advisor to the Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO

Reginald Oates

Program Evaluator for Government-funded Programs

Megan Koops Fisher

Community Outreach Program Manager for Ready for School

Jacob Johnston

Grant Writer and Case Manager

View More PLS Alumni Spotlights



Page last modified July 18, 2025