Political science seeks to increase our understanding of politics, political institutions, and political processes. The Department of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis strives to be one of the best in the world and, subsequently, the department is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the leading departments in the discipline. The department has particular strengths in theory, methods, and the rigorous combination of the two.

Undergraduates can major or minor in political science, and the department offers a variety of sub-fields to study including American politics, comparative politics, international politics, political and social theory, and formal and mathematical approaches. The doctoral program in political science is one of the top programs in the country.

Faculty enjoy national and international recognition for their teaching and research. They bring the excitement of discovery and the latest knowledge to the classroom, and many have won university awards for their teaching. The media frequently interview departmental faculty as experts on national or global issues, and many serve as consultants to business and government agencies. They publish widely in journals and books, and have published with prestigious presses such as the University of Michigan Press, Princeton University Press, Cambridge University Press, and Congressional Quarterly.

Many undergraduates work with professors on their research or conduct research on their own under the supervision of one or more faculty members. Majors are encouraged to join Pi Simga Alpha, the national honor society for students in political science, and the department recognizes exceptional scholarly and community achievements with annual awards.