# 2025-2026 General Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/political-science/political-science-public-service-ab/
**Parent**: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext

[Office & Contact Information](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/political-science/)

Political science is the study of politics and political systems at the local, national, and international levels. It concerns not only the institutions of government but also the analysis of such phenomena as political behavior, political values, political change and stability, parties, pressure groups, bureaucracies, administrative behavior, justice, national security, and international affairs.

## The Program

The Department of Political Science offers three majors:

- [International Relations](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/political-science/international-relations-ab/) — Explores problems of security, development, ethnic conflict, human rights, health, and the environment at a global level.
- [Political Science](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/political-science/political-science-ab/) — Aims to provide the student with a broad understanding of political concepts, political institutions, political behavior, and political processes.
- [Political Science—Public Service](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/political-science/political-science-public-service-ab/) — For students who desire opportunities for practical hands-on experience in their major. It differs in particular from the political science major in its internship requirement and its focus on the American political system.

### Major Advisors

Contact the Department of [Political Science](https://ps.ucdavis.edu/).

## Internships & Career Alternatives

Both the proximity of UC Davis to the state capitol and the programs offered by the UC Washington Center afford exceptional internship possibilities in local, state, and national government offices, providing students with actual experience in politics and government service while still attending school. A student who majors in political science acquires research and analytic skills relevant to many professional fields. Consequently, the majors offered in political science are valuable not only in providing students with a better understanding of politics and political systems, but also as a first step toward careers in teaching, law, management, government, urban planning,  journalism, politics, administration, or for graduate studies in numerous fields.

## American History & Institutions

This University requirement may be satisfied by passing any one of the following Political Science (POL) courses:1

Course List

| Code | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [POL 001](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20001 "POL 001") | American National Government | 4 |
| or [POL 001Y](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20001Y "POL 001Y") | American National Government | |
| [POL 005](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20005 "POL 005") | Contemporary Problems of the American Political System | 4 |
| [POL 100](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20100 "POL 100") | Local Government & Politics | 4 |
| [POL 102](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20102 "POL 102") | Urban Public Policy | 4 |
| [POL 104](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20104 "POL 104") | California State Government & Politics | 4 |
| [POL 105](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20105 "POL 105") | The Legislative Process | 4 |
| [POL 106](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20106 "POL 106") | The Presidency | 4 |
| [POL 108](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20108 "POL 108") | Policy Making in the Public Sector | 4 |
| [POL 109](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20109 "POL 109") | Public Policy & the Governmental Process | 4 |
| [POL 113](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20113 "POL 113") | American Political Thought | 4 |
| [POL 130](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20130 "POL 130") | Recent U.S. Foreign Policy | 4 |
| [POL 131](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20131 "POL 131") | Analysis of U.S. Foreign Policy | 4 |
| [POL 160](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20160 "POL 160") | American Political Parties | 4 |
| [POL 163](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/search/?P=POL%20163 "POL 163") | Group Politics | 4 |

1
:   See also under [American History & Institutions Requirement](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate-education/university-degree-requirements/american-history-institutions-requirement/).

## Graduate Study

The Department of Political Science offers a program of graduate study and research leading to a Ph.D. degree or an M.A./J.D. joint degree. The M.A./J.D. joint degree is done only in conjunction with UC Davis School of Law. Information concerning admission to these programs and requirements for completion are available in the Graduate Program Coordinator's office.

### Graduate Advisor

Contact the Department of [Political Science](https://ps.ucdavis.edu/).

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