The author concerns the history and conditions of organization of politological education at Irkutsk State University (ISU). Traditions of studying political processes in the country and the world were developed at Historical Faculty of ISU, the oldest university in Siberia. A great number of teachers, involved into research in political history and international relations, worked at the faculty. Historical Faculty trained specialists in international relations. Academic administration of the university became aware of the need to open a new specialization “Politology” at ISU. The new specialization was opened due to objective processes, which were developing in the country and the university, but under conditions of unwillingness of the authorities of Historical Faculty to deal with that work. The Department of Politology formed part of the University-Wide Department of History that evoked certain difficulties, which had to be overcome by its staff. A successful project development resulted in that the University-Wide Department of History and Politology was moved up to Historical Faculty. It allowed to enhance the quality of education, to introduce two modes of attendance, and to increase the number of students. In the consequence of an eight-year work period, at the Department there were formed highly qualified teaching staff, there was organized an effective system of enrollment, training and internship of the students, there was developed a system of students’ scientific research. For the past period there were five graduations of degreed specialists, who mostly work within their specialty.