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SHAPING LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE

Learn about global political models and prepare to launch your career in our state capital.

Explore political systems while gaining experience in real-world settings, with opportunities in the state’s seat of government just steps from campus. From preparing for a career in law, public administration or politics to mastering in-demand skills for a variety of roles, our program offers the benefits of faculty expertise and university resources.

Nationally Ranked

  • Top 100

    Political Science

    USC’s Department of Political Science ranks among the nation’s top 100 programs for both undergraduate and graduate study.

  • 800+ / 100+

    Undergraduate and Graduate Students

    USC’s Political Science department includes more than 800 undergraduate majors and more than 100 graduate students.

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USC MPA

The Master of Public Administration program prepares you for careers in government, nonprofits and the private sector. You'll gain skills in policy analysis, budgeting and management while earning real experience in our state capital.

Explore the MPA program

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Whether you’re a student, faculty member or graduate, you’ll find resources to help you succeed and make an impact.

Political science provides a way to explore human behavior, the systems we create, and their effects on the world, incorporating aspects from anthropology, economics, history, law, sociology and psychology. At USC, we have faculty working in all major political science sub-fields, offering students a more comprehensive understanding of the discipline.

— Gregory Nelson, political science 2025 Doctoral Candidate

Hire a Ph.D. Candidate

Our Ph.D. candidates are producing innovative political science research and are ready to make an impact as faculty. Contact our placement director if you are seeking rising scholars for your department.

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