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

Humans in the Lead: Community AI Summit

November 5, 2026 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Humans in the Lead: Community AI Summit Building Trustworthy and Sustainable AI The community AI summit brings together the community, public officials, business leaders, policymakers, community...

Humans in the Lead: Community AI Summit (INT 100/201 Approved)

November 5, 2026 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Humans in the Lead: Community AI Summit Building Trustworthy and Sustainable AI The community AI summit brings together the community, public officials, business leaders, policymakers, community...

Global Community Day

November 5, 2026 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Join the Area and Global Studies programs as we cap off Global Horizons Week with a celebration and showcase of cultural diversity at GVSU. If you are interested in learning more about our minor programs...

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...

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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

Joshua Lunger

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

Maro Houhanisin

Attorney for Probate, Estate Planning and Domestic Relations

Alex Houseman

Lobbyist, Obsidian Advocacy Group

Emily Brown

Master's Student Working for State Department

Reginald Oates

Program Evaluator for Government-funded Programs

Ryan Meyer

Program Manager for the American College of Cardiology.

Dorothy Sewe

Aids Refugee Relocation Efforts

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Page last modified July 18, 2025