About the Department

The Political Science Department was founded in 1923. Initially, the Department only offered one degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In the late 1930s, the Master of Arts and PhD programs in political science were established.  In August 2024, the Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice was established (Cannon, 2015).

With two undergraduate majors (Political Science and Law and Justice), enrollment has increased considerably over time. Currently, the Department has close to 600 majors and more than 150 minors. There are 14 full-time political science faculty members. The Department is supported by a Department Manager.

In addition to their courses, Political Science and Law and Justice students are actively engaged, participating in research and internships, Mock Trial, WilDCats at the Capitol, the Kentucky Legislative Internship Program (KLIP), Pi Sigma Alpha, and PoliSci Pals, among other organizations and co-curricular activities.

After graduation, undergraduate students pursue graduate and professional school, careers in government, domestic and international public service, nonprofit organizations, and positions in private firms specializing in law or consulting.

The Political Science Department is proud to contribute to the education of students from across the Commonwealth, the United States, and the world. Our students come from a variety of diverse backgrounds, which enhances our ability to engage in in-depth discussions inside and outside of the classroom that facilitate broader understanding of politics and law.

The figures below present some information about the student population in the Department (Note: Figures reflect Fall 2024 enrollment of Political Science and Law and Justice majors).