About Us...

The University of Wisconsin Political Science Department is one of the nation's oldest and most respected programs. Our department is highly ranked in national surveys, and our award-winning faculty are known for innovative research on the discipline's most current and important questions. Our dedication to teaching is also apparent: we are one of the largest majors on campus, with a commitment to excellence in undergraduate instruction.  

Our Department is large and intellectually diverse, and we have never had a ruling theoretical or methodological orthodoxy. Some of our faculty apply the most sophisticated state-of-the-art statistical methods to models of political behavior and international conflicts. Others produce subtle and finely nuanced qualitative studies of political culture. We have strong ties to interdisciplinary centers around campus. The department is widely known for its collegiality, and respect for a broad range of approaches to the study of politics. This atmosphere of tolerance, rigor, and methodological breadth sets the tone for graduate study here. We are also committed to the "Wisconsin Idea," the longstanding tradition of contributing to public service beyond the university's borders. The UW is one of the world's most prestigious and respected universities, and Madison is consistently rated as one of the country's best places to live.

For graduate students, a UW-Madison Ph.D. is a qualification that has high standing, an important advantage when you look for a job. In the past year, our graduate students have won several prestigious prizes. For undergraduates, we offer a strong liberal arts program that serves as a springboard for lifelong learning; our alumni have gone on to distinguished careers in law, journalism, public service, teaching, the arts, and business (one of our former majors now runs one of the world's best restaurants).

Whether you are interested in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, or methods, you'll find distinguished faculty, respected throughout the discipline, doing cutting edge work, and devoted to teaching.

We invite you to look around and see what we have to offer.