Political Science Major, B.A.

Major Requirements

This bachelor’s degree program requires a minimum of 124 credits. As part of the overall 124 credit minimum, satisfying the requirements for the major in Political Science includes completing a minimum of 42 credits (11 courses) in the major.

The following courses are required of all Political Science majors:

POL 1100 - Politics of the United States Credits: 4
POL 1500 - Comparative Politics Credits: 4
POL 2000(W) - Political Science Methods Credits: 4
It is recommended that POL 2000(W) - Political Science Methods be completed by the end of the student’s sophomore year.
POL 4800 - Senior Seminar: Politics and the Policy Process Credits: 4

United States Politics and Government

At least two courses are to be in the area of United States politics and government and are to be selected from:

POL 2010 - Political Ethics Credits: 4
POL 2111 - State and Local Politics Credits: 4
POL 2120 - Government, Business and Society Credits: 4
POL 2121 - Intro to Public Administration Credits: 4
POL 2122 - Law and Society Credits: 4
POL 2181 - American Political Thought Credits: 4
POL 2300 - The Politics of Food Credits: 4
POL 3112 - Congress and The Legislative Process Credits: 4
POL 3113 - The American Presidency Credits: 4
POL 3114 - Political Parties and Interest Groups Credits: 4
POL 3122 - Issues in Public Policy Credits: 4
POL 3130 - Campaigns and Elections Credits: 4
POL 3131 - Polling and Public Opinion Credits: 4
POL 3140 - Mass Media and American Politics Credits: 4
POL 3141 - Political Communication Credits: 4
POL 3150 - Criminal Law Credits: 4
POL 3151 - American Constitutional Law Credits: 4
POL 3152 - Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Credits: 4
POL 3160 - United States Foreign Policy Credits: 4
POL 3161 - Politics of Immigration and Human Movement Credits: 4
POL 3171 - Music and Politics Credits: 4
POL 4199 - Women and Politics Credits: 4

World Outside the United States

At least two courses are to deal with the world outside the United States and are to be selected from the following:

POL 2200 - Globalization Credits: 4
POL 2510 - International Politics Credits: 4
POL 2581 - Intro to Political Theory Credits: 4
POL 3520 - Modern China Credits: 4
POL 3521 - Latin American Politics Credits: 4
POL 3523 - Japanese Politics Credits: 4
POL 3524 - Politics of Russia and Post-Soviet States Credits: 4
POL 3525 - Politics of the Middle East Credits: 4
POL 3526 - Politics of the European Union Credits: 4
POL 3530 - Democracy, Development and Violence Credits: 4
POL 3531 - Politics of Developing Nations Credits: 4
POL 3540 - International Political Economy Credits: 4
POL 3541 - Cyber Security: The Intersection of Technology and Policy Credits: 4
POL 4599(W) - Issues and Cases in United States Foreign Policy Credits: 4

Remaining Courses

The remaining three courses may be taken from either of the two areas listed above, or qualified students may take some or all of them from the following:

POL 4700 - Directed Study Credits: Variable
POL4700: Directed Study: Moot Court may only be taken twice for credit toward a Political Science major (4 credits max).
POL 4850(W) - Public Service Internship Credits: 8 (Fall or Spring Session/8 credit) Internship Credits / Units: 8
This Public Service (Fall or Spring) Internship is an 8 credit/2 course equivalent, with four credits (1 course equivalent) counting toward Political Science and four credits (1 course equivalent) toward electives.
POL 4851 - Public Service Summer Internship Credits: 4 (Summer Session/4 credit) Internship
POL 4852 - Public Service Fall or Spring Internship Credits: 4 (Fall or Spring Session/4 credit) Internship
Students can complete up to 12 internship credits; one fall or spring (8 cr.) and a fall/spring or summer internship (4 cr).

Political Science Major Notes

Only two (2) Political Science courses may be double-counted between a Political Science major and a Pre-law minor.
Only two (2) Political Science course may be double-counted between a Political Science major and an International Studies major.

Major GPA

Political Science majors must achieve a final grade point average of 2.00 or better in the major. The GPA for the Political Science major will be calculated by taking the average of courses designated POL.