Welcome to Political Science

With four central strengths — Canadian Politics, Global Politics, Politics & Business, and Public Policy & Administration — Political Science at Waterloo offers innovative specializations and career-relevant minors that explore Ideas for Changing the World.

Our undergraduate BA degree in Political Science teaches our students how to navigate the challenges of the global political landscape and to respond to our complex future. The degree emphasizes both classroom learning – with award-winning instructors – and experiential learning in the real world – to promote the development of a range of important skills, such as communication, collaboration, creativity, self-management, self-assessment, time-management, long-term and critical thinking, and strategies for lifelong learning. 

At the graduate level, we offer a MA and a PhD in Political Science (with co-op options), and a Master of Public Service. Our instructors also form the core of faculty who teach courses and supervise students in the MA and PhD in Global Governance, which is housed at the Balsillie School of International Affairs.


Discover our programs

A group of students gathering ont he porch of the Dana Porter Library

Undergraduate studies

Navigate and respond to the challenges of the global political landscape with a major, minor or specialization in Political Science.

Learn more about our undergraduate programs

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Master of Arts in Political Science

Gain a deeper understanding of global politics at multiple scales (domestic, regional, global) while developing analytical and professional skills for success in yoru career.

Learn more about the MA in Political Science

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PhD in Political Science

Enjoy greater flexibility in core research activities and professional development for both academic and non-academic career paths, experiential and teaching options.

Learn more about the PhD in Political Science

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Master of Public Service

Gain the knowledge, skills, and work experience you need for a public service career at any level of government in Canada. 

Learn more about the Master of Public Service

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Global Governance programs

Our interdisciplinary Master and PhD programs focus on advanced research, writing and analytical skills to help you prepare for careers in academics or the public, private and civil sectors.

Learn more about Global Governance programs

Events

Friday, February 28, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Speaker Series: Permanent Marginality: Indigenous Identity and Academia

By Rachelle “Māēyawekēsekōkiw” Besaw

PhD Candidate, Sociocultural Anthropology, Arizona State University

In this lecture, the speaker will discuss the marginal space she now inhabits as a linguistic anthropologist, indebted to the oftentimes cruel and violent history of anthropological and linguistic research inflicted upon Indigenous Nations, and her own Tribe, in the name of Science. She will discuss her own journey through an academic system built on the oppression and subjugation of her people, and how she has had to rely upon extractive and exploitative research on her path to reclaiming her Indigeneity.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Tic Talk Tuesdays

The Chair of the Department of Political Science invites you to "Tic Talk Tuesdays". Join us every Tuesday of the Winter 2025 term in the PSCI Lounge (HH 341) for an opportunity to meet and chat with the Chair, faculty, staff, and fellow undergraduate and graduate students. Light refreshments are available. All are welcome!

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Tic Talk Tuesdays

The Chair of the Department of Political Science invites you to "Tic Talk Tuesdays". Join us every Tuesday of the Winter 2025 term in the PSCI Lounge (HH 341) for an opportunity to meet and chat with the Chair, faculty, staff, and fellow undergraduate and graduate students. Light refreshments are available. All are welcome!

News


The Department of Political Science acknowledges that we are living and working on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.