Departmental Services Program
The APSA Departmental Services Program supports political science departments by providing resources for department chairs; data and reports on the profession; forums for departments to address common issues; and services for chairs, faculty, and students.
Join over 500 departments of varying sizes and types that participate through an APSA Department Membership and benefit from this special connection to the discipline. Learn more about becoming an APSA Department Member.
For Department Chairs
Department Chairs’ Workshop & Luncheon
Suitable for new and current Department leaders of all types, the 2024 Department Chairs’ Roundtables and Luncheon explores the challenges political science departments face in a changing higher education landscape, offers support to department leaders, and provides professional networking opportunities.
This year’s event features two roundtable panels and a keynote with lunch. The Department Chairs Luncheon is sponsored and supported by APSA’s Departmental Services Committee.
- • 10am – 11:30am: “Leading a Department in a Polarized Political Climate”
- • 12pm – 1:30pm: Keynote and Luncheon: “Surviving and Thriving as Department Chair” Luncheon registration can be completed here
- • 2pm – 3:30pm: “Building an Inclusive and Equitable Political Science Department”
Data on the Profession
The APSA Research Department publishes reports on a variety of topics pertinent to the political science profession. These reports fall into three main categories: Curriculum; Enrollments and Degrees; and Employment and Salaries. Learn more here.
External Review Program for Department Assessment
An external review is a means by which a department assesses its current state and effectiveness, and develops goals and strategies to guide its future. This provides a unique opportunity for a department to consider the experience, expertise, and perspective of the academy at large through the engagement of outside participants who comprise the external review team.
As a resource for APSA departmental members seeking external review, the Departmental Services Program maintains a list of faculty who have volunteered to serve as reviewers. To request names of potential reviewers, please contact dsp@apsanet.org. If you would like to volunteer as a reviewer, please submit your information here.
eJobs, Interview Services, & Career Fair
APSA eJobs is the most comprehensive database of jobs related to political science and is accessible to all members. Department members have access to post complimentary listings.
APSA provides space for employers who have posted an eJobs listing to interview candidates at the APSA Annual Meeting. The service is provided as a complimentary member benefit to Departmental members with an active listing posted on eJobs. Employers must be registered for the Annual Meeting to participate in the Interview Services program. Learn more here: https://connect.apsanet.org/apsa2024/interview-services/
The Career Open House is an opportunity for APSA members to connect with departments, institutions, and organizations for informational and informal discussions about jobs in political science, and other careers that draw on political science training, both on campus and in applied/non-academic settings. Learn more about the Career Open House here: https://connect.apsanet.org/apsa2024/career-open-house/
Department Portal
The APSA Departments’ Portal is a free resource for all APSA Department Members and includes a range of resources to support departments and their leaders as they navigate issues critical to the success of their departments.
It includes resources on topics such as:
- Diversity and equity;
- Undergraduate and graduate student recruitment;
- Faculty hiring;
- Materials to support improvements in teaching and civic education
- External review; and
- Strategies for department leaders
Access the Department Officer Guide here!
Political Science Club Guide
Political science clubs are a great way to get students involved in department activities and campus life. Such clubs offer benefits to students and departments by facilitating greater and more meaningful faculty-student engagement, and by providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and leadership experience. Find out more about how and why to start an undergraduate political science club in the APSA Political Science Club Guide.
Departmental Services Committee
The Department Services Committee is tasked with providing input on APSA’s Departmental Services Program and developing department-related programming at the APSA Annual Meeting.
Click here to learn more.
Department Portal
Access Webinars in the Department Portal
All department webinars can be found in the Department Portal.
Need access to the portal? please contact dsp@apsanet.org
Upcoming Webinars
There are no upcoming webinars at this time.
Interested in having your department join APSA as a departmental member? Learn more here.