BA Political Science at University of Washington

Programme overview

Political science is the study of power and how political institutions and individuals engage in the public realm. In the major students explore concepts like freedom and justice; governmental structures; how law and courts function; how economics affects political behavior; international conflict and cooperation; media; and how traits like race, gender, and class are political and shape identity, institutions and policy.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Political Science | Duration: 50 credits | Location: Seattle, WA, United States

What you will study

50 credits; Introductory Requirement (15 credits):; three courses from POL S 101, POL S 201, POL S 202, POL S 203, POL S 204, POL S 205; Field Requirement (15 credits):; one course numbered POL S 210 or above in three different fields of political science chosen from political theory, comparative politics, international relations, American politics, and research methods, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each; Electives (20 credits):; Four courses numbered POL S 210 or above with a minimum 2.0 grade in each

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA Three introductory political science courses (15 credits) with a minimum 2.0 grade in each from the following: POL S 101, POL S 201, POL S 202, POL S 203, POL S 204, POL S 205 Students are admitted all quarters. Applications are due the second Friday of each quarter. Applications and additional information available from advisers in 215 Smith and on the Political Science Department website. Applicants who meet the stated requirements are admitted in time to register for the following quarter as majors.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,664 a year (2026-27). Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and fac Source

International applicants: USD 44,580 a year (2026-27). Non-Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and Source

First-year entry quarters: Autumn (begins late September), Winter (begins early January; not open to international first-year applicants), Summer (begins mid-June; most degree-seeking students apply for Autumn). Spring quarter is not open to first-year applicants.

Transfer entry: Autumn and Summer quarters; Spring quarter transfer admission is open only to applicants to specific departments in engineering and computer science.

First-year applications for Autumn (and Summer) open August 15 and close November 15; notification March 1-15. Winter applications open August 1 and close September 1, with notification in November and December. The UW does not offer early decision or early action. Apply through the Common App.

First-year application fee is $85 for U.S. students (fee waivers available) and $95 for international students (no fee waivers). Application requires a Common App essay and a self-reported academic record in STARS. SAT/ACT scores are not required for most applicants; homeschooled applicants and applicants from schools without letter or numeric grades must submit SAT or ACT scores. International applicants submit TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting the minimum English proficiency requirement.

Transfer applications for Autumn and Summer open December 15 and close February 28; notification May 1 to June 30. Transfer application fee is $85 (U.S., fee waivers available) or $95 (international, no fee waivers). SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admit.washington.edu/apply/

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