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Study Abroad for Political Science Majors and Minors

Can I study abroad as a Political Science major or minor?

Yes! Political Science majors and minors can and do study abroad during their time at Northwestern. 

Student Perspective

Aran Mehta, WCAS (Political Science, Economics) '21

"Political Science is the study of global systems, and I believe that going abroad to learn about and witness systems different from those we live under is an important experience for everyone. If you go, choose a destination that will really challenge you to experience a different culture and political context."

When can I study abroad as a Political Science major or minor?

You can begin exploring possible study abroad options as early as your first year. There are opportunities to study abroad all terms, including the summer after your first year at NU. 

  • Sophomore & Junior Year: There are no restrictions on going abroad during this time. 
  • Senior Year: It is possible to study abroad during your final year at NU and even graduate abroad. However, students should be aware that it can take 2-4 months to receive a transcript from study abroad. If you are studying abroad during your final quarter at Northwestern, this will likely delay your actual date of graduation. 
  • Summer: There are a handful of Northwestern study abroad programs designed with Political Science students in mind. In addition, there are options for students to study abroad on unaffiliated programs, such as LSE Summer, for academic credit. 

What classes can I take abroad?

There are many study abroad programs around the world that NU is affiliated with to offer NU Political Science majors and minors the opportunity to take coursework abroad. Courses taught in Political Science departments or by trained political scientists are more likely to be approved for credit. Courses like “Politics of Spain” or “the Political Economy of South Africa” are usually counted as 300-level credit in Political Science. 
 
Students can also take courses outside Political Science to help fulfill other degree requirements, learn or improve on a language, or just to take advantage of the opportunity to learn something new. 

Read more about academic planning and choosing courses abroad on the GLO website.

What type of credit can I get from study abroad?

Political Science majors/minors will find there are many programs that host Political Science courses eligible for credit towards their degree requirements. The Political Science Department has compiled a list of study abroad courses that the department has approved for major/minor credit in the past. Please note, this list is intended to provide a guide to students on which courses are commonly approved for credit. It does not guarantee that a course will be approved. 

Students may count a maximum of two courses per quarter toward the Political Science major though more courses may be accepted toward the major for longer study abroad programs. 

Minors are limited to one course from study abroad towards the minor requirements. Northwestern study abroad programs are exempt from these course limit rules. 

Your Political Science adviser can help you identify what distribution requirements or major/minor credit could be best taken abroad and your GLO adviser can help you identify programs that offer these types of credit. 

Suggested Programs for Political Science Majors and Minors

Students participate in a wide variety of study abroad programs. These programs are highlighted because they have enrolled high numbers of Political Science majors and/or have yielded credit toward the Political Science major.

Interested in other programs or other types of credit? Search for more study abroad options on the GLObal Gateway. 

Next Steps

Unsure where to start? Check out the Get Started page for some helpful next steps.

We also encourage you to meet with your Political Science major/minor adviser to discuss your academic course plan and with a GLO adviser to learn more about the programs you're considering.