Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The major offers a balance of substantive and methodological training. Core areas include American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public policy, and political economy. Students typically begin with introductory courses that survey key concepts and approaches, then progress to intermediate and advanced seminars that focus on specific regions, institutions, or problems.

Methodological preparation is an important element: courses in quantitative methods, research design, statistics for the social sciences, and qualitative methods teach students how to test hypotheses, design surveys and experiments, analyse data, and interpret texts. Many students also take formal theory or game theory classes to develop analytic rigor.

Upper‑level work emphasises independent research. Options include capstone seminars, a senior research project or thesis for students pursuing honours, and practicum courses that partner with public agencies or non‑profits. Electives allow students to pursue topics such as constitutional law, elections and political behaviour, public opinion, political development, environmental politics, gender and politics, migration, and security studies.

• Introductory courses in political science and government
• Intermediate courses in American, comparative and international politics
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Advanced seminars and elective courses on specialised topics
• Senior capstone seminar or independent honours thesis
• Opportunities for off‑campus study, internships and field research

Entry requirements

Admission to Dartmouth College is highly selective and considers the whole applicant. Typical requirements for prospective undergraduates include a strong secondary‑school record with evidence of intellectual curiosity and academic challenge, high‑quality written work, and strong letters of recommendation. Successful candidates usually demonstrate preparation in social studies, history and writing, and often in quantitative subjects.

Applicants present a personal statement and academic transcripts; many also submit supplementary materials such as research samples or descriptions of extracurricular projects in civic life. Experience in debate, student government, volunteering, internships, or community organising can strengthen an application. Transfer applicants are evaluated on college performance, letters of recommendation, and how previous coursework aligns with the major’s requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates with a political science and government degree from Dartmouth move into a wide range of careers. Common pathways include public service and government roles at local, state and national levels, policy analysis and public affairs, law (many graduates pursue law school), and roles in international organisations and non‑governmental organisations.

Other frequent destinations are journalism and communications, political campaigns and advocacy, consulting, and roles in finance or technology where policy, regulation and public affairs expertise are valued. The programme’s methodological training also prepares students for graduate study in political science, public policy, international relations, economics, and related fields.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth combines a liberal‑arts undergraduate focus with small seminar sizes and close faculty mentorship, allowing students to pursue sustained, independent research. The department’s location within a residential college environment fosters interdisciplinary learning and close collaboration across fields such as economics, history, environmental studies and government.

Students benefit from institutional resources that support public policy and civic engagement, opportunities for internships and practicum placements, and centres that facilitate research and public dialogue. The college’s emphasis on undergraduate teaching means students can work directly with faculty on research projects, secure funding for fieldwork, and present findings at campus symposia.

Overall, the programme is designed for students who want rigorous training in political analysis, hands‑on research experience, and preparation for careers that engage with public affairs, law, policy and global issues.