Undergraduate

Political Science is one of the central disciplines in a liberal arts education and provides an excellent basis for careers in government, law, journalism, business, and teaching. The UIC Department of Political Science offers you opportunities to do internships, become proficient in statistical analysis and research methods, and learn about practical politics and other forms of civic engagement. Undergraduate students can also choose from two Political Science Concentrations: Law and Courts, and Urban Politics.

For detailed major and concentration requirements, see the Requirements and Concentrations page.

All undergraduates have an assigned academic advisor in the LAS Advising Center and will be a part of that advisor’s student cohort for the duration of their academic career at UIC – from Orientation to Graduation. LAS Advising can assist with selecting a major/minor and establishing a study plan. In addition to the student’s assigned advisor, LAS Advising also provides tailored Major & Minor Advising and Pre-Law Advising.

The Political Science Major Advisor is Rachele Gartland, gartland@uic.edu; Click Here to make an appointment with Rachele, the Political Science Major Advisor. LAS Pre-Law Advising also has plenty of resources for pre-law students. Click Here to schedule a Pre-Law Advising appointment.

The Political Science Department is in the Behavioral Science Building (BSB), First Floor, Room 1102 and 1126. Students are welcome to visit us M-F between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or call us at (312) 996-3105.

Political Science Honors Thesis Requirement 

Students looking to discuss internships, political science career paths, information about specific Political Science courses, and resources and support within the department, should contact:

• Dr. Petia Kostadinova – Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor of Political Science
• Dr. Katharine Floros – Clinical Associate Professor of Political Science
• Dr. Bob Bruhl – Clinical Professor of Political Science
• Stephanie Whitaker, MPA – Coordinator of Undergraduate and Development Programs

The Department of Political Science is pleased to announce the “Sharon Z. Alter Endowed Scholarship Fund in Political Science.” In Fall 2022, the fund will award two scholarships of $1000 each to continuing* students, majoring in political science, with a preference given to first-generation college students. The recipients must be full-time students registered for at least 12 credit hours in Fall 2022.

To be considered, students should submit (1) an unofficial transcript, indicating their declared major as Political Science, and (2) an essay of up to 500 words responding to the following question: “What is your first political memory and what impact did it have on you.” All materials must be submitted by 5:00pm on Nov 28, 2022 via this form.

* ‘continuing’ students are those who are not graduating in Fall 2022.

This scholarship is considered a resource when determining the student’s eligibility for financial aid. Therefore, it is reported to the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) and may have an impact on the type and amount of financial aid the student receives. OSFA will make the necessary adjustment to the student’s financial aid award upon notification of the scholarship. This adjustment may create or increase a balance due on the student’s university account. The student is responsible for reviewing her/his Financial Aid Award letter and student account billing statement after the scholarship in order to understand the impact of the payment. The scholarship will be reported to the student and the IRS on Form 1098-T for the calendar year in which the payment was made. The University of Illinois System does not report Form 1098-T for Nonresident Aliens unless requested.

Previous Awardees

• 2022 – Connor Wielgos and Michael Fernandes 
• 2021 – Oscar Sanchez

Typically, in the Spring semester of every year, the Department of Political Science announces competitions for ‘best undergraduate paper’ in several categories, such as international relations, urban politics, public policy analysis or comparative politics, and constitutional law and ethics. Any paper written for a POLS class during the academic year, Fall or Spring semester, is eligible for submission for one of these awards. Students are encouraged to keep these awards in mind when developing papers for their classes. Be on the lookout for the announcement of these competitions.

The Office of Undergraduate Research & External Fellowships (UREF) provides comprehensive support to students as they pursue undergraduate research experiences and competitive external fellowships, with a particular focus on fostering a culture of academic inquiry and faculty engagement. UREF promotes meaningful connections between faculty and students, encourages mentorship, provides high-impact advising, and educates the UIC community about opportunities for students across all disciplines, both on campus and beyond.

For more information, visit the UREF webpage.