Political Science, B.A.

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 124

Minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum number of credits to complete the major: 44

School: School of Arts and Sciences

Department of Political Science, Policy and History

Learn more about the program

Political Science is a dynamic, exciting major that prepares students for a range of careers. Students in Political Science learn to analyze and research politics from a range of perspectives. Students explore vital and contemporary questions about law, government, and justice and learn about political systems and leaders, policies, and domestic and international conflicts. Students develop their writing, analytical and critical thinking skills across a range of courses and topical areas. Many of our students combine their Political Science major with a double major or minor to further enrich their college experience and training. Students in Political Science have the opportunity for hands-on learning in internships, research projects, service learning, or spending a semester studying abroad or in Washington, D.C. Political Science graduates have gone on to hold a range of jobs in public service, non-profit work, local, state, and federal government, K-12 education, higher education, research, and business. Many students also further their education in graduate or law school.

Major Requirements

Political Science majors are required to take eleven total courses: four required courses and seven elective courses. Elective courses must include at least two courses in US politics and government and at least two courses in global politics. All majors must also take at least one Writing Intensive course in the major.

Core Courses

Complete the following four required courses:

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

Required Electives

Choose seven elective courses from the course categories below.

Political Science Writing Intensive Requirement

Beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year, all Political Science majors are required to take a Writing Intensive course within the discipline. Please note: POL 2000 Political Science Methods is no longer writing intensive. Political Science Writing Intensive courses will rotate among a selection of upper division courses.

United States Politics and Government

Choose at least two courses from the following:

POL 1300 - Public Administration Credits: 4
POL 1400 - Politics of Public Policy Credits: 4
POL 2010 - Political Ethics Credits: 4
POL 2120 - Government, Business and Law 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 3111 - State and Local Politics and the Environment Credits: 4
POL 3112 - Congress and The Legislative Process Credits: 4
POL 3113 - The American Presidency Credits: 4
POL 3122 - Issues in Public Policy Credits: 4
POL 3130 - Campaigns and Elections Credits: 4
POL 3140 - Mass Media and American Politics 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 Credits: 4
POL 3162 - Race, Politics, and Law Credits: 4
POL 3171 - Music and Politics Credits: 4
POL 3600 - Special Topics Credits: 4 (Note: When course pertains to US topic.)

World Outside the United States

Choose at least two courses from the following:

POL 1900 - International Politics Credits: 4
POL 2200 - Global Issues Credits: 4
POL 2581 - Intro to Political Theory Credits: 4
POL 3520 - Modern China Credits: 4
POL 3525 - Politics of the Middle East Credits: 4
POL 3530 - Democracy, Development and Violence Credits: 4
POL 3540 - International Political Economy Credits: 4
POL 3541 - Cyber Security: The Intersection of Technology and Policy Credits: 4
POL 3600 - Special Topics Credits: 4 (Note: When course pertains to International topic.)
POL 4599 - Issues and Cases in United States Foreign Policy Credits: 4

Additional Required 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 the remaining courses from the following:

POL 4700 - Directed Study Credits: Variable (Note: Moot Court may only be taken twice for credit toward a Political Science major, for a maximum of four credits.)
POL 4850 - Public Service Internship Credits: 8
(This Public Service Internship [Fall or Spring] is a two course (eight credit) equivalent, with four credits counting toward Political Science and four credits toward electives.)
POL 4851 - Public Service Summer Internship Credits: 4
POL 4852 - Public Service Fall or Spring Internship Credits: 4
Students can complete up to 12 internship credits: one fall or spring (eight credit) and a fall/spring or summer internship (four credit).

Political Science Major Notes

Only two Political Science courses may be double-counted between a Political Science major and a Pre-law, Public Policy, Cyber Security, or International Studies minor.

Only three Political Science courses may be double-counted between a Political Science major and an International Studies major (POL 1500 Comparative Politics , POL 2000 Political Science Methods , and POL 4800 Senior Seminar ). However, one additional Political Science course must be taken due to the third overlapping course.