
Cornell University Department of Government: A Global Leader in Political Science Education and Research
Introduction
The Cornell University Department of Government is one of the world’s leading centers for political science education and research. Founded in 1868, the department offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and its faculty are renowned for their scholarship and teaching excellence.

Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Government offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Government, with a variety of specializations available, including:
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Political Economy
- Public Policy
The department also offers a minor in Government for students who wish to complement their major with a focus on political science.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Government offers three graduate programs: a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Government, a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), and a Ph.D. in Government.
The M.A. program is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study in political science, while the M.P.A. program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in public service. The Ph.D. program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in academia or research.
Faculty
The Department of Government has a distinguished faculty of over 40 scholars, including:
- Kenneth Arrow, Nobel laureate in Economics
- Martha Nussbaum, philosopher and author
- Robert Putnam, political scientist and author
- Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate in Economics
The faculty are actively engaged in research and teaching, and their work has been widely published in top academic journals.
Research
The Department of Government is a major center for political science research. The department’s faculty are actively involved in a wide range of research projects, including:
- American politics
- Comparative politics
- International relations
- Political economy
- Public policy
The department’s research is funded by a variety of sources, including the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Social Science Research Council.
Facilities
The Department of Government is housed in the Kahin Center for Advanced Studies in Southeast Asia and the John M. Olin Hall for the Humanities and Social Sciences. These facilities provide students with access to a wide range of resources, including:
- A state-of-the-art library
- Computer labs
- Classrooms
- Study spaces
The department also has a dedicated research center, the Center for International and Comparative Studies, which supports faculty and student research on a variety of topics.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the Cornell University Department of Government go on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including:
- Academia
- Government
- Law
- Business
- Journalism
The department’s alumni network is strong and active, and it provides students with valuable opportunities for networking and career development.
How to Apply
Admission to the Cornell University Department of Government is highly competitive. Applicants must have a strong academic record and a clear commitment to political science. The department accepts applications for both the undergraduate and graduate programs.
For more information on how to apply, please visit the department’s website: https://government.cornell.edu/
Conclusion
The Cornell University Department of Government is a world-renowned center for political science education and research. The department offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and its faculty are renowned for their scholarship and teaching excellence. Graduates of the department go on to successful careers in a variety of fields.