Welcome to Political Science at Memorial
Want to know who we are?
Memorial’s Department of Political Science is one of the top-ranked in Canada. We offer courses on a range of domestic and international topics, across five major subfields: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Global Politics, Political Theory, and Law and Public Policy.
Our faculty are accomplished researchers and dedicated teachers, with several having been nationally and internationally recognized through prestigious awards for their work, including Fulbright, Killam, and Humboldt fellowships, and membership in the Royal Society of Canada.
We are home to several research centres and institutional partnerships, including the Gender and Politics Lab and Participedia, an international network devoted to mobilizing knowledge about participatory democratic innovations. A number of our faculty also work closely with Memorial University’s Harris Centre for Regional Policy and Development and Nexus Centre for Humanities and Social Science Research on pressing issues affecting communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond. Our commitment to public engagement is exemplified by high profile collaborations with students and practioners, including the Hub for the Study of Local Governance and the international Population and Security Online Magazine.
Want to study with us?
The Department of Political Science strives to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment where undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting lecturers, full-time faculty, and staff, all feel recognized and supported. We strive to promote the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our research and teaching, and welcome the efforts of individuals within our community to further action and dialogue on best practices.
Our undergraduate programs are designed to prepare students for careers that require analytical thinking, strong written and oral communication skills, training in research and data analysis, and a sophisticated understanding of governance processes and their history. At the undergraduate level, we offer BA programs in both Political Science and Law and Public Policy. Admitted students can also gain hands-on job experience in a work internship, pursue a Co-op degree, or spend a semester in Europe. Students also have the option of complimenting their degree with our innovative Diploma in Public Policy, or an interdisciplinary concentration in Global Studies or Canadian Government.
Our graduate programs are intended to train the scholars, political leaders, and policymakers of tomorrow. Our MA degree gives students advanced training in research methods and their chosen subfield, providing students with the academic and professional skills needed to launch the next stage of their career. The program is built around small seminars that allow students to dive deeply into a pressing issue or problem and critically engage with their professors. Admitted M.A. students have the option of completing a two-year thesis program, a one-year course-based program, or a one-year internship-based program. We also offer the option of a graduate diploma for those wishing to enhance their professional credentials without committing to a full degree.