UCLA Political Science will soon celebrate 95 years as part of one of the nation’s finest universities. It is ranked among America’s best programs.
Instruction in Political Science began on September 14, 1920 with one assistant professor, Dr. Charles E. Martin, offering three year-long courses (Comparative Government, U.S. Foreign Policy, and International Law).
Today the department is among the best in the country. Among the department's many strengths, we have gained notable distinction in political economy, comparative politics including the politics of developing nations, and political theory.
The department's greatest resource is its distinguished faculty. The faculty's teaching and research continue to put the program at the forefront of its field. Established subfields in our department include: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Methods and Models, Political Theory, and Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. UCLA Political Science is home to six members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, four Guggenheim Fellows, and many other prestigious honorees.
