Department Website
Program Description
A vibrant home for those interested in government and public affairs, the Wilf Family Department of Politics gives students the skills needed to reach a deeper analytical understanding of political events that is grounded in logic and evidence. We encourage a truly scientific inquiry into politics that informs a critical discussion of political institutions and a rigorous approach to effecting positive political change.
We offer courses in political theory, quantitative and formal political analysis, American politics, comparative politics, and international politics. Our curriculum covers a wide range of substantive topics including law, elections, ethnic conflict, justice, economic development, political accountability, war and peacekeeping, public policy, democracy, political economy, strategy, and political attitudes and beliefs. Our faculty specializes in the politics of the United States and countries around the globe. Courses are regularly offered on Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, Russia, India, China, and Japan.
The analytical skills gained by politics majors prepare them for a wide range of careers. Our graduates accept positions with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, international finance groups, multinational corporations, law firms, and other institutions. Many pursue further study in fields such as political science, law, and public and international affairs at highly competitive universities.
Honors Program
For admission to and completion of the department’s honors program, students must have a GPA of 3.65 both overall and in the politics major. The deadline for applying to the honors program is March 1 in spring of junior year. To be eligible for application students must have completed (or be currently enrolled in) POL-UA 850 Introduction to Research Methods for Politics, as well as either ECON-UA 1 Introduction to Macroeconomics or ECON-UA 2 Introduction to Microeconomics. Admitted students register for POL-UA 950 Senior Honors I (fall) to prepare a research proposal for their thesis, which they write in the spring while taking POL-UA 951 Senior Honors II. The thesis and its oral defense must be approved by both the instructor teaching Senior Honors II and the second reader of the thesis.
Preparation for Law School
Although law schools do not require any particular major or course of study, politics can be an especially useful field for students planning legal study and a career in law. Students interested in a course of study that prepares them for law school may wish to choose courses in consultation with the College’s Prelaw Program. For information about the program, please visit prelaw.cas.nyu.edu.
BA/MA Program in Politics
The College of Arts and Science and the Graduate School of Arts and Science offer an accelerated dual-degree BA/MA program in politics. Bachelor’s-master’s students who satisfy the track's undergraduate requirements receive a scholarship covering 50% of MA tuition and registration fees during the graduate school year. The GSAS requirement to take the GRE is also waived. This dual-degree program is open only CAS students majoring or minoring in politics or international relations. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 48 credits toward the BA but not more than 96 credits or six semesters, whichever comes first. Questions about eligibility for, or application to, the BA/MA program should be directed to the CAS Advising Center (726 Broadway, 7th floor; 212-998-8130).
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
Program Requirements
The major in politics requires ten 4-credit courses (40 credits) in the department chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser, as outlined below. All major courses must be completed with a grade of C or better; courses graded as Pass/Fail do not count.
This program offers a track in American Political Practice and Leadership that affords students the opportunity to gain skills and experience in applied American politics (via a study-away semester at NYU-Washington DC). See below for track requirements.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| 4 |
| EXPOS-UA 1 | Writing as Inquiry | 4 |
| 1 | 16 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 2 | 8 |
| Political Theory | |
| Power & Politics in America | |
| Comparative Politics | |
| International Politics | |
| 3 | 32 |
| 40 |
| Total Credits | 128 |
Although it is not required for the major, POL-UA 850 Introduction to Research Methods for Politics is strongly recommended. Students are advised to take it before enrolling in other advanced courses in the major.
American Political Practice and Leadership Track
This track (open only to declared politics majors) offers students the opportunity to gain skills and experience in applied American politics via a study away semester at NYU’s site in Washington, D.C., while also acquiring the analytical understanding provided by American politics courses offered at NYU Washington Square.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| POL-UA 300 | Power & Politics in America (at the Washington Square campus) | 4 |
| 4 |
| NODEP-UA 9982 | Experiential Learning Seminar (at the Washington, D.C. campus) | 4 |
| 2 | 12 |
| The Presidency | |
| American Constitution | |
| American Public Opinion & Pressure Groups | |
| Topics: (Campaign Strategy and Media in Domestic and International Campaigns) | |
| Topics: (Identities in American Politics in the 21st Century) | |
| Public Policy | |
| The Presidency | |
| Controversies in Public Policy: Logic and Evidence | |
| American Constitution | |
| Civil Liberties | |
| The U.S. Supreme Court | |
| Private Influence in Public Policy | |
| American Public Opinion | |
| The Election Process | |
| The Politics of Administrative Law | |
| Politics of Poverty & Welfare | |
| American Field Sem: (with permission of the departmental adviser for this track) | |
| Total Credits | 24 |
Graduate Courses Open to Undergraduates
Courses at the 1000 and 2000 levels are open to exceptional undergraduates with an adequate background in politics. Requires written permission of the instructor or, in the instructor’s absence, the director of graduate studies.
Sample Plan of Study
Note: Majors must take at least two of the department's core courses (POL-UA 100, 300, 500, 700). Because these courses serve as prerequisites to many upper-level major courses, this sample plan shows a student taking three of them.
Plan of Study Grid
| 1st Semester/Term |
|---|
| POL-UA 300 |
Power & Politics in America |
4 |
| POL-UA 500 |
Comparative Politics |
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| 2nd Semester/Term |
|---|
| POL-UA 700 |
International Politics |
4 |
| EXPOS-UA 1 |
Writing as Inquiry |
4 |
| 1 |
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| 3rd Semester/Term |
|---|
| 1 |
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| 4th Semester/Term |
|---|
| 1 |
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| 5th Semester/Term |
|---|
| 1 |
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| 6th Semester/Term |
|---|
| 1 |
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| 7th Semester/Term |
|---|
| |
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| 8th Semester/Term |
|---|
| 1 |
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| | Total Credits | 128 |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have acquired:
- The ability to analyze both complex political issues and quantitative data.
- Knowledge of the fundamental theoretical debates in the subfields of politics.
- Advanced knowledge of specialized topics in politics, and the requisite skills for conducting sophisticated research on those topics.
- Fluency in presenting well-grounded arguments, both orally and in writing.
Policies
Program Policies
Double Counting of Courses
Students majoring in Politics may double-count no more than two courses between this major and a second major or a minor. They must first secure permission from both the Department of Politics and the other major or minor department or program.
Major Policies
No more than five courses (20 credits) can be accepted as transfer credit toward the major. NYU study away courses, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) and other advanced standing credit by examination, are treated as transfer credit for all students.
Students may count eight credits (the equivalent of two courses) from Advanced Placement (Comparative and U.S.), International Baccalaureate (Global Politics), or Advanced (A) Level (Government and Politics) examinations towards the requirements of the major. Up to eight credits from other advanced standing examinations may be accepted after consultation with the department. None of these credits can substitute for any specific course or requirement in the major (such as one of the core requirements); they simply count as generic POL-UA credit toward the major.
No more than three NYU study away courses (12 credits) may count toward the major.
POL-UA 970 Internship in Pol & Govt and POL-UA 990 Readings & Research do not count toward the major.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Arts and Science Policies
A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.