Who Is the Graduate of Political Science? The Structure of Political Science Education: A Case Study of Leading Russian Universities

The article examines the structure of bachelor's political science programs at leading Russian universities and their implications for the formation of graduates’ professional identity. Employing thematic coding methodology, authors analyze curriculum structures of seven top-ranked Russian universities, categorizing academic disciplines into distinct blocks including theory, methods, applied political science, and specialized political science disciplines. The research employed k-means clustering analysis, revealing two primary educational clusters. The study reveals that Russian political science education operates through a dual model responding to both academic community demands for fundamental training and labor market requirements for specialized practical skills. Universities with strong theoretical traditions prioritize research competencies and expert knowledge production, while institutionally specific universities orient toward government service and political consulting careers. As a result, although political scientists possess similar theoretical foundations, their professional competencies differ significantly based on the institutional characteristics of their educational programs. This diversity indicates political science education's adaptability to different labor market demands, from academic to governmental-administrative sectors. The research concludes that current differentiation represents an adaptive response rather than a systemic problem. Thus, the prospects for future development include legitimizing this diversity while upholding theoretical rigor and ensuring practical applicability. These findings enhance the understanding of how educational content shapes professional identity within contemporary Russian political science education.