Best Political Science Programs in Iowa for 2027

Iowa’s political science major is 36 semester hours: 15 in introductory courses and 21 in political science courses numbered 2000 or above, typically seven courses. The intro menu is wide, from American politics and political thought to political analysis, the politics of race and class, and political communication including social media. You can also complete one or two emphasis areas that show up on your transcript. Departmental honors requires a 3.33 UI grade-point average, a 3.50 major average and a final honors project, either a research project or a senior thesis. With 112 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is one of the larger programs on the Iowa page.

Major Credits

36 semester hours, 15 introductory and 21 at the 2000 level or above

Emphasis Areas

One or two optional emphasis areas recorded on the transcript

Honors Project

Honors Research Project or Honors Senior Thesis

Program Sources: Political Science, BA | University of Iowa General Catalog

Iowa State requires 34 credits in political science, starting with a one-credit Exploring Political Science course and at least two subfield introductions. You also take a research-methods course, either qualitative or quantitative, and at least 18 credits at the 3000 level or above, nine of them at 4000 or higher. Every major needs a capstone, and the list is varied: a senior thesis, a research or regular internship, a graduate-level course, a department-approved study-abroad experience or student teaching. Only grades of C- or higher count. The department notes that many majors are preparing for law school. Fifty-one students completed the degree in 2023–24.

Methods Requirement

One course such as qualitative approaches, quantitative approaches or Political Analysis and Research

Capstone Options

Senior thesis, internship, graduate-level course, study abroad or student teaching

Upper-Level Credits

18 credits at 3000 or above, including 9 at 4000 or above

Program Sources: Political Science | Iowa State University Catalog

Everyone at Grinnell starts in POL 101, a four-credit course that introduces the themes and the disciplinary approaches before you move into American politics, comparative politics or international relations. From there you develop your own research projects in two different seminars, with writing, oral and data analysis skills built up at each level. The major is 32 credits, eight of them at the 300 level, and you also take statistics (SST 115 or STA 209) at Grinnell. Up to eight credits can come from related studies outside the department with your advisor’s approval. The department’s short course on the Iowa caucuses puts you near national campaigns.

Required Intro

POL 101, four credits

Research Seminars

Two advanced seminars where you develop your own research projects

Statistics

SST 115 or STA 209, taken at Grinnell

Program Sources: Political Science Major and Requirements | Grinnell College

Northern Iowa builds its major from five required courses: Power and Politics in the U.S., Global Politics, Democracy, Analyzing Politics and Introduction to Political Theory. An engaged learning requirement follows, met through either Citizen Participation and Civic Engagement or an Internship in Politics, and everyone takes a Senior Seminar. Eighteen elective hours at the 2000 level or above fill out a major of 39 to 44 hours. Outside class, the department runs a competitive Model United Nations team, an academic partnership with U.S. Strategic Command and the PanthersVote voter engagement campaign. Nine people completed the degree in 2023–24.

Required Courses

Power and Politics in the U.S., Global Politics, Democracy, Analyzing Politics, Political Theory

Engaged Learning

Civic engagement course or internship in politics, 3 to 8 hours

Senior Seminar

POLSCI 4184, 3 hours

Program Sources: Political Science B.A. | University of Northern Iowa University Catalog

Central’s major is 37 to 40 credits. It opens with Introduction to American Politics and Introduction to International Politics, closes with a four-credit Capstone Seminar, and fills the middle with seven elective courses, two of them at the 300 level. A three-credit internship or an independent study can each count as one of those electives. The catalog frames the courses around questions like what an ideal political order would look like and how hunger can be eliminated. The department says many majors study abroad or in Washington, D.C., through The Washington Center, and Central’s location less than an hour from the Des Moines state capitol makes state government internships a natural fit.

Required Courses

Introduction to American Politics, Introduction to International Politics and a four-credit Capstone Seminar

Electives

Seven courses, two at the 300 level

Internship and Independent Study

Each can count for one elective in the major

Program Sources: Political Science | Central College Course Catalog

Drake’s Politics major covers all four subfields (American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory), from introductory to upper-level courses, and lets you choose coursework by interest. Where Drake stands out is location: Des Moines is Iowa’s capital and the stage for the Iowa caucuses, and internships run through state government, political campaigns and non-profits. You can also publish your research in the Drake University Social Science Journal or Drake Political Review. The department says every class is led by a faculty member rather than a teaching assistant. Nine students completed the degree in 2023–24.

Subfields

American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory

Internships

State government, political campaigns and non-profit organizations

Student Publications

Drake University Social Science Journal and Drake Political Review

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts in Politics | Drake University

Iowa offers five fields of study: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, formal theory and research methods. You choose three of them for qualifying examinations, so you finish prepared to teach and research in all three. The first-year curriculum includes a compulsory sequence in quantitative methods, and advanced students then build their own program from a wide array of seminars. Training is through seminars and collaborative work with faculty, and the department says its graduates often reach the job market with publications in hand.

Fields of Study

American politics, comparative politics, international relations, formal theory and research methods

Qualifying Exams

Three fields chosen for examination

First-Year Methods

Compulsory sequence in quantitative methods

Program Sources: PhD in Political Science | Political Science - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | The University of Iowa

DMACC’s Associate of Arts is a 64-credit transfer major built for students heading to Iowa State, Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa or St. Ambrose. The political science sequence is three courses: American National Government in semester one, International Relations in semester two and Comparative Government and Politics in semester three. Around them sit a statistics course, composition, humanities and science core, and a diversity requirement that doesn’t add credits. Because requirements vary by university, you check the four-year school’s own list before you finalize electives. You can start any semester, and the program is offered at Ankeny, Boone, Urban/Des Moines, West Des Moines and online.

Transfer Pathway

Designed for Iowa State, Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa and St. Ambrose

Political Science Courses

American National Government, International Relations, Comparative Government and Politics

Statistics

MAT 156 Statistics in the first semester

Program Sources: Program: Political Science: Transfer Major AA - Des Moines Area Community College

Western Iowa Tech’s 64-credit transfer major puts four political science courses in one plan: American National Government and American State and Local Government early on, then International Relations, then Comparative Government and Politics in the final term. The rest of the plan is a broad transfer load that includes Introduction to Ethics, Introduction to Philosophy, Western Civilization, two U.S. history courses, Statistics, Public Speaking and ten elective credits. The curriculum also touches foreign policy and introductory theories. It’s written for students who plan to finish a bachelor’s degree in political science or a related field at a four-year school. Two associate degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Political Science Courses

American National Government, State and Local Government, International Relations, Comparative Government and Politics

Statistics

MAT 157 Statistics, four credits in term two

Program Length

64 credits across four terms, with ten elective credits

Program Sources: Program: Political Science - Transfer Major - AA - Western Iowa Tech Community College

EICC’s 62-credit Associate of Arts frames political science through both humanistic and social scientific lenses, looking at ideal forms of government and how power and resources are allocated worldwide. The discipline courses are Comparative Government and Politics, American National Government, International Relations and Statistics, plus a professional communication choice between Professional Communication and Public Speaking. The plan is written for transfer to Iowa State, the University of Iowa or Northern Iowa, and the catalog warns that some of those schools add requirements, so talk with your advisor. It runs at Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges. Just 1 degree was conferred in 2023–24.

Discipline Courses

Comparative Government, American National Government, International Relations and Statistics

Transfer Institutions

Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa

Campuses

Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges

Program Sources: Program: Political Science Transfer Major, AA - Eastern Iowa Community Colleges