A bachelor’s degree in political science prepares graduates for a very broad range of educational and career opportunities. Political science graduates have gone on to successful careers in business, public administration, government, teaching, and politics. Others have continued their educations in graduate school and law school. In addition to being knowledgeable in the subject areas of political philosophy, American politics, comparative politics, international relations and foreign policy, and social science research methods; majors in political science develop the ability to think clearly and critically, as well as the ability to engage in effective written and oral communication.
The undergraduate program requires students to select courses from four subcategories: Political Theory and Philosophy, Public Policy, American Government and Politics, and Comparative Politics and International Relations. Each subcategory contains a range of 6-7 courses, from which students must choose two courses (6 semester hours) per subcategory, for a total of eight courses (24 semester credit hours) across all subcategories. In addition, students are required to select 6 semester hours of elective credit (Electives in the Major) from a list of approved courses, along with the Required Courses in the Major.
The Bachelor of Science in Political Science degree also offers an emphasis in Legal Studies, which consists of six specific courses. Please note that some of the Political Science (PSCI) courses that make up the Legal Studies emphasis are also available as electives or as part of the subcategory course listings. Students who choose to complete the Legal Studies emphasis must take the 6 emphasis courses in addition to the required subcategory and elective coursework. Courses cannot be counted toward both the Legal Studies emphasis and the subcategory requirements. In other words, students cannot "double dip" by using Legal Studies emphasis courses to fulfill both subcategory and emphasis requirements.
For students pursuing the Legal Studies emphasis as part of the BS in Political Science degree, it is important to plan accordingly to ensure that these courses are taken beyond the required subcategory and elective coursework.
| Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| See the Core Curriculum Requirements | 42 | |
| Required courses in the major | ||
| PSCI 347 | Intro to Research Methods | 3 |
| PSCI 488 | Contemporary Ideas | 3 |
| Political Theory and Philosophy | ||
| Choose 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Democ & Democratization | ||
| Order, Justice, and Community | ||
| Liberty, the State, and the Person | ||
| The Age of Ideology | ||
| Amer Political Thought | ||
| Rev & Revolutionary Movmt | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Choose 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Political Economy | ||
| Intro to Global Pub Pol | ||
| Intro to Public Policy | ||
| Foreign Policy | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | ||
| American Politics | ||
| Choose 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| American State and Local Government | ||
| American Presidency | ||
| Amer Pol Par/Electoral Po | ||
| Public Opinion | ||
| Congressional Politics | ||
| Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process | ||
| Comparative Politics and International Relations | ||
| Choose 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| European Political System | ||
| Democ & Democratization | ||
| Non-European Polit Systm | ||
| Intro to Global Pub Pol | ||
| Rev & Revolutionary Movmt | ||
| Foreign Policy | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Electives within the major | ||
| Choose 2 courses from the following that were not already used to satisfy a requirement above : | 6 | |
| Democ & Democratization | ||
| Non-European Polit Systm | ||
| Political Economy | ||
| American Presidency | ||
| American State and Local Government | ||
| Intro to Global Pub Pol | ||
| Intro to Public Policy | ||
| Amer Pol Par/Electoral Po | ||
| Public Opinion | ||
| Applied Data Analysis (This course may only be taken as an elective by BA degree candidates) | ||
| Order, Justice, and Community | ||
| Liberty, the State, and the Person | ||
| The Age of Ideology | ||
| Amer Political Thought | ||
| Rev & Revolutionary Movmt | ||
| Foreign Policy | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Congressional Politics | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | ||
| Special Topic | ||
| Choose BA or BS Option (listed below) | 42 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| BS ONLY (Non- Language) | ||
| Must Take | 3 | |
| Applied Data Analysis | ||
| Required Minor | ||
| Minimum 18 hours required in the Minor | 18 | |
| Additional Electives Required | ||
| Minimum 21 hours of electives required | 21 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
| BA | ||
| Language Requirement | ||
| 12 hours of a foreign language* | 12 | |
| Minor Required | ||
| Minimum 18 hours in the Minor | 18 | |
| Additional Electives | ||
| Minimum 12 hours required | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
In addition to fulfilling these requirements, students majoring Political Science must submit a portfolio of their work in Political Science courses and complete a survey on their experiences in the program. Details may be found on the department’s website.
While some courses are included more than once in the list of required courses for the first or second major, a particular course may NOT be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all courses in this Major.
