Major in Political Science (BA/BS)
The political science curriculum incorporates a progression of required, core, elective, and capstone courses. Students are expected to have a foundation of required and core courses before taking elective and capstone courses, including internships. It is the personal responsibility of the student to complete the listed prerequisite of any course before registering for it. Please consult with the undergraduate advisor should there be any questions about the curriculum.
The department also has an accelerated BS/BA - MA program option. Please contact the department for more information on this option.
42-50 credits
Required Courses for all Concentrations
| POLS 130 | American National Government | 3 |
| POLS 210 | Political Science Research Methods | 3 |
| | Language requirement | 3-11 |
The major requires intermediate proficiency in a major language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish) or a major classical language (Latin) by earning advanced placement or enrolling in and passing one course at the 201 level or above. Modern language courses taught in English are excluded. To enroll in 201-level language courses, students must achieve appropriate placement scores or complete prerequisite 100-level courses. Students may also satisfy the language requirement by taking American Sign Language (SNLN). Students pursuing this option must receive credit for SNLN 251, SNLN 252, and SNLN 253. Enrollment in SNLN 251 requires the permission of the Chair of the Department of Special Education.
Concentration 1: Political Science, 33 credits
15 credits from the following core courses
3 credits from senior capstone
| POLS 478 | Practical Experience in Government, Politics, or Public Service | 3 TO 6 |
| POLS 404 | Senior Thesis in Government and Politics | 3 |
Students must select a senior capstone option upon completion of 60 total credits.
15 credits from POLS (minimum of 12 credits in 300 and 400-level courses excluding 130, 210, 342, 350, 404, 478)
Students may not receive elective credit for POLS 130 or POLS 210.
Concentration 2: Economics, 33 credits
15 credits from the following core courses
3 credits from senior capstone
| POLS 404 | Senior Thesis in Government and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 478 | Practical Experience in Government, Politics, or Public Service | 3 TO 6 |
Students must select a senior capstone option upon completion of 60 total credits.
9 credits from any 300- and 400-level POLS electives (excluding 342, 350, 404, 478)
6 credits from the following economics courses
ECON 201, Elementary Microeconomics, is the prerequisite for each of the above ECON electives.
Concentration 3: International studies, 33 credits
15 credits from the following core courses
| POLS 280 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
| POLS 281 | Economic and Political Problems of Emerging Nations | 3 |
| POLS 290 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLS 293 | International Relations | 3 |
| POLS 312 | Early Western Political Thought | 3 |
| | or | |
| POLS 313 | Modern Western Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 345 | National Defense Policy | 3 |
3 credits from senior capstone
| POLS 404 | Senior Thesis in Government and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 478 | Practical Experience in Government, Politics, or Public Service | 3 TO 6 |
| | or | |
| EURO 369 | Professional Experience | 3 |
| | or | |
| EURO 479 | Practical Experience | 3 |
Students must select a senior capstone option upon completion of 60 total credits.
15 credits from the following upper-division directed electives
Total Credit Hours: 42-50