About the Department

The Department of Political Science has been a separate department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (formerly the College of Sciences and Humanities) since 1969 and offers an undergraduate degree (B.A.) in political science, a graduate degree (M.A.) in political science, a joint J.D./M.A. degree with Drake University, a terminal professional degree in public administration (M.P.A.), an interdisciplinary degree in information assurance (MSIA) and a graduate Certificate of Public Management (CPM). In addition, it provides an array of service courses for students in other majors and other colleges to satisfy general education requirements in the area of the social sciences.

The Department currently has 310 undergraduate majors in Political Science and 60 graduate majors in its several degree programs with the largest number in the MPA program. With a nationally and internationally recognized faculty and with a curriculum covering the various aspects of domestic and international politics, the Department has earned a reputation for emphasizing quality undergraduate teaching and for preparing its students for a wide array of careers in the public and private sectors. Recent graduates from our Department have pursued careers as attorneys for the Justice Department in Washington, state representatives in the Iowa Assembly, county attorneys in Iowa, city managers in several Midwestern locales, major executives in national corporations, foreign service officers for several governments, and administrators within international organizations. In addition, the Department's graduates may be found teaching in major colleges and universities throughout the country.

Mission Statement and Strategic Plan

Undergraduate Scholarship Page

Graduate Scholarship Page

Job Openings

Assistant/Associate Professor in Political Science/African American Studies

Assistant Professor in Political Science/Latino/a Studies

American Politics/Assistant or Associate Professor

Assistant Professor in International Relations

News & Events

Norris, political science alumna, new chief of staff for Michelle Obama

A 2008 M.A. graduate in political science, Jackie Norris, will be the top aide for the nation's first lady. More

Alumni newsletter

The fall 2007 issue of On Politics, the alumni newsletter of the Department of Political Science, is now on-line. More

Top alumni award

Ambassador Charles Manatt, a supporter of the Department of Political Science, has been granted Iowa State's highest alumni award - the Distinguished Alumni Award. More