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

Tabling at Grand Rapids Pride

June 20, 2026 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Stop by GVSU's booth at Grand Rapids Pride, we are table 138, right by the Rainbow Ramp and the food court! Saturday (6/20): 12-8pmSponsored by the Division of People, Equity, and Culture and...

Alumni Webinar: Ask an Advisor with Katie Cwiakala and Meghan Veltri

June 23, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join us for a virtual “Ask an Advisor” session designed specifically for alumni seeking general career support and guidance. This open Q&A format offers the opportunity to ask questions...

Laker Summer Social in Traverse City

June 23, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

President Philomena V. Mantella and Shannon Owen, director for the GVSU Northern Region, invite alumni, parents, and friends of Grand Valley State University to the Laker Summer Social.   Enjoy...

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...

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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

Jacob Simon

Lawyer and Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University College of Law

Andrew Wilson

Senior Director of Episode Development Analytics at Signify Health

Reginald Oates

Program Evaluator for Government-funded Programs

Audrey Tappenden

Economic Development Director, City of Coldwater

Jordan Meagher

Parks Planner for Metro Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee

Kirsten Zeiter

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

Kyle McMillen

Chief Strategy Officer, Parker Strategy Group

View More PLS Alumni Spotlights



Page last modified July 18, 2025