Explore the exercise of power in its myriad forms and consequences.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in the College of Letters & Science is concerned with exploring the exercise of power in its myriad forms and consequences. Students in the major explore central issues such as the ethical problems attendant to the exercise of power; the history of important political ideas; the impact of historical, economic, and social forces on the operation of politics; the functioning and distinctive features of the US political system; the diversity of political systems and the significance of these differences; and the interactions among international actors and the causes of war and peace. The major is offered by the Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science, which has long been regarded as one of the finest places to study politics and government.
Highlights
- Get involved with the Undergraduate Political Science Association.
- Participate in the Travers Conference on Ethics and Accountability in Government.
- Pursue one of many research opportunities.
Curriculum
The Political Science undergraduate program is designed for a diverse population of students, including those with a broad but as yet unfocused interest in politics, those aiming to attend law school or business school, and those intending to pursue an advanced graduate degree in political science. The major curriculum is designed to expose students to the five main subfields in the discipline. This core distribution requirement means that all students in the major receive a common substantive and analytical foundation. At the same time, students are able to pursue diverse interests at the upper division level, most notably through the specialization requirement. Finally, the most ambitious and high-achieving students have the opportunity to undertake advanced research under the close guidance of a faculty member through the junior seminars and senior honors program.
Learn more at polisci.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. You are eligible to attend a Political Science declaration session once you have:
-
Completed two of the following introductory courses (one of these should ideally be in your subfield specialization):
- POL SCI 1 American Politics
- POL SCI 2 Comparative Politics
- POL SCI 4 Political Theory
- POL SCI 5 International Relations
- A 2.0 GPA in courses counting for the major.
Subfield Specialization
Specialization Requirement - Students must select one primary subfield and complete:
- One introductory course in the chosen subfield
- Two upper division courses in the same subfield
Available subfields:
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- Empirical Theory and Quantitative Methods
- Political Theory
- International Relations
There is no limit to what you can do with a BA in Political Science. Program alumni pursue careers in government, law, politics, international affairs, business, nonprofit, media, education, and other fields. An undergraduate degree in political science is also good preparation for graduate or professional study in areas such as political science, public administration, foreign policy, law, business, and more.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Political Science. The Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program helps prepare students for internships and the job market. The College of Letters & Science offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Case Manager
- Consultant
- Data Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Journalist
- Legislative Aide
- Paralegal
- Project Manager
- Research Analyst
- Staff Analyst
- Teacher
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- American Government and Politics
- Education
- International Relations and Affairs
- Journalism
- Law
- Legal Professions and Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science and Government
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
William, class of 2024
William Diaz (BA, Political Science) transferred to UC Berkeley as a first-generation, re-entry student, and completed the Political Science Honors Program.
"In 2016, the aftermath of the elections brought fear and harm to my immigrant community. That moment inspired me to earn my BA in Political Science at UC Berkeley, focusing on American politics, immigration, and Chicano studies, including studying abroad in Barcelona. Now in 2025, with a similar political climate returning, I'm preparing for the LSAT to attend law school and advocate for my community.
Make this program your own—take classes that truly interest you and visit professors during office hours; you'll learn more than expected."
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and the L&S New Freshman Student Guide.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Political Science major; begin lower division requirements, including two introductory courses from POL SCI 1, 2, 4, and 5.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar,Berkeley Changemaker, or DeCal course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as the Undergraduate Political Science Association.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Explore the Institute of Governmental Studies and Berkeley Center for American Democracy.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Verify you have completed the major prerequisites and declare the major.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Look into study abroad; see guidelines from the department and options for Political Science abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as Public Policy.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events such as the Annual Travers Conference.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Political Science websites; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Institute for the Study of Societal Issues.
- Participate in Democracy Camp in Berkeley or DC.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; look into the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Pipeline Initiative and Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division requirements, including courses for the distribution and subfield requirements. If still needed, enroll in POL SCI 3.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or studying abroad.
- Consider applying to the Political Science Honors Program in the summer; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Apply for awards such as the Percy Undergraduate Grant, Philo Sherman Bennett Prize, and Owen D. Young Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the American Political Science Association.
- Interested in public service careers? View resources from the Institute of Governmental Studies and consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives for the major.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships; apply to the Schaeffer Fellowship if you will be interning in DC.
- Participate in the NextGen / PPIA Summer Policy Academy.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs such as Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and the L&S New Transfer Student Guide.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in two upper division POL SCI courses to ensure timely graduation.
- Look into study abroad for a future semester; see guidelines from the department and options for Political Science abroad.
- Verify you have completed the major prerequisites and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as the Undergraduate Political Science Association.
- Connect with the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Explore the Institute of Governmental Studies and Berkeley Center for American Democracy.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Apply to the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on POL SCI 3 and upper division requirements, including courses for the distribution and subfield requirements.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as Public Policy.
- Consider applying to the Political Science Honors Program in the summer; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events such as the Annual Travers Conference.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and Political Science websites; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Institute for the Study of Societal Issues.
- Participate in Democracy Camp in Berkeley or DC.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Pipeline Initiative.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division requirements and electives.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or studying abroad.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Apply for awards such as the Percy Undergraduate Grant, Philo Sherman Bennett Prize, and Owen D. Young Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Political Science Association.
- Interested in public service careers? View resources from the Institute of Governmental Studies and consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives for the major.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships; apply to the Schaeffer Fellowship if you will be interning in DC.
- Participate in the NextGen / PPIA Summer Policy Academy.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs such as Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Political Science or choosing a major?
The Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science offers undergraduate advising for students interested in the Political Science major. Undergraduate Advisors are available by appointment or drop-in for current UC Berkeley students. Prospective students should contact the department via email at psadvise@berkeley.edu. For advising hours and contacts, visit polisci.berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, and finding campus resources. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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