Best Political Science Programs in Nevada for 2027

Reno organizes political science into five areas of emphasis: American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public administration and public policy. For-credit internships at local, state, national and international organizations let you test coursework in real offices, and a minor in political communication and advocacy adds campaign and lobbying skills. Strong students can start graduate work early through the accelerated B.A./M.A. and B.A./MPA programs, taking up to 12 graduate credits as undergraduates. With 59 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is one of the larger options on its state page.

Areas Of Emphasis

American, comparative, international relations, theory, and public administration and policy

Internships

For-credit placements at the local, state, national and international levels

Accelerated Graduate Path

B.A./M.A. and B.A./MPA with up to 12 graduate credits

Program Sources: Political Science Degree | Degrees & Programs | University of Nevada, RenoPolitical Science Degree | Degrees & Programs | University of Nevada, Reno

UNLV’s BA moves you through six subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law and public policy. The stated learning outcomes spell out what that breadth is for, from writing persuasively to defend an argument to telling normative from empirical perspectives and weighing quantitative, qualitative and formal methods. Majors can earn credit for internships in the legal profession, political campaigns, legislative offices and public administration. A four-year plan of study is posted for each catalog year. In 2023–24 it awarded 88 degrees, one of the larger options on its state page.

Subfields

American, comparative, international relations, theory, public law and public policy

Internships

For credit in law, campaigns, legislatures and public administration

Planning Tool

Four-year plan of study for each catalog year

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Academics | UNLVBachelor of Arts in Political Science | Academics | UNLV

Reno’s doctorate is 60 credits beyond the B.A. and is organized around a major field and a minor field. You take 9 credits in scope and methods, 12 in your first field, 9 in a second field, 9 in seminars or electives, 15 in dissertation and 6 for comprehensive exams. Fields on offer are American politics, comparative politics, international relations, public administration and public policy. All requirements must be finished within the Graduate School’s eight-year limit. The department points to its small size and the diversity of its faculty as the program’s strength. With 2 doctorates awarded in 2023–24, the cohort is small.

Fields

American politics, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, public policy

Credit Structure

60 credits: methods, two fields, electives, dissertation and exams

Comprehensive Exams

Major and minor exams in selected fields

Program Sources: Ph.D. in Political Science | University of Nevada, RenoPh.D. in Political Science | University of Nevada, Reno

UNLV offers a general Ph.D. with concentrations in American politics (which includes public policy and public law), comparative politics, international relations and political theory. You can enter after a bachelor’s degree and complete 60 credits, or after a master’s degree and complete 48, and the catalog lists a separate track in each concentration for both routes. Beyond content in those fields, you are expected to build a strong grasp of the tools central to the scientific study of politics and to write research that could be published in peer-reviewed outlets. One doctorate was awarded in 2023–24, so expect a very small cohort.

Concentrations

American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory

Entry Points

60 credits after a bachelor’s degree or 48 after a master’s degree

Stated Goal

Original research publishable in peer-reviewed outlets

Program Sources: Doctor of Philosophy - Political Science | Academics | UNLV

Truckee Meadows designed this associate degree as the first half of UNR’s bachelor’s in political science, a 2+2 route that carries you into upper-division status in UNR’s College of Liberal Arts. The required political science courses are Introduction to American Politics, American Public Policy, Introduction to Comparative Politics and Introduction to International Relations. Emphasis options include Survey of State and Local Government and The Politics of International Terrorism. The degree totals 60 units and includes a foreign language, so it pays to plan with an advisor if you are headed to a different university. With 5 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is a small program.

Transfer Pathway

2+2 route to UNR’s B.A. in political science

Required Courses

American politics, public policy, comparative politics and international relations

Emphasis Options

State and local government, international terrorism, special topics

Program Sources: Political Science, AA | Truckee Meadows Community College Catalog

CSN’s Political Science AA is a 60-credit degree meant for transfer to UNLV. Its program outcomes read like a map of the first two years: the U.S. and Nevada constitutions, comparative politics across several countries, competing theories of international relations, and the political philosophy behind the U.S. Constitution. Major requirements start with Survey of Political Theory, Introduction to Comparative Politics and Introduction to International Relations, then close with either a Capstone in Political Science or a Government Internship. Special program electives include Latino Politics and Society, Lobbying and Issue Advocacy, and Politics Through Film. With 5 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is a small program.

Transfer Pathway

Intended for transfer to UNLV, with a UNR/CSN transfer program also available

Closing Requirement

Capstone in Political Science or Government Internship

Elective Options

Latino politics, lobbying, political communication, politics through film

Program Sources: Program: Political Science, AA - College of Southern NevadaProgram: Political Science, AA - College of Southern Nevada