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.
43 credits
Required Courses for all Concentrations (19 credits)
| POLS 100 | Introduction to Political Science | 1 |
| POLS 130 | American National Government | 3 |
| POLS 210 | Political Science Research Methods | 3 |
| POLS 260 | Introduction to Public & Non-Profit Administration | 3 |
| POLS 270 | Political Theory | 3 |
| POLS 280 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
| POLS 293 | International Relations | 3 |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (3 credits)
Students must have at least one course from the following, this course can double-count as a concentration requirement for students with a concentration in: American Government or Politics or Global Politics and International Affairs Concentration. Students with a concentration in Public Administration and Policy Concentration must take one of the following courses and can double-count within the 6 credit hours of electives required for the major .
Capstone (3 credits)
Students must select a senior capstone option upon completion of 60 total credits.
| POLS 404 | Senior Thesis in Government and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 478 | Practical Experience in Government, Politics, or Public Service | 3 TO 6 |
Additional Senior Capstone Options for Global Politics and International Affairs Concentration:
Electives (6 credits; 300/400-level)
Students must take 6 additional hours of POLS courses at the 300/400 level.
*Students with a concentration in Public Administration and Policy Concentration must take one of the following courses: POLS 394, POLS 450, POLS 474, POLS 475, or POLS 486.
Students wishing to pursue foreign language proficiency should discuss the BA option with an advisor.
Concentration 1: American Government and Politics (15 credits)
Three courses from institutions and processes, at least one course from each area, 9 credits:
Institutions (3-6 credits)
Processes (3-6 credits)
Non-federal (3 credits)
Theory (3 credits)
| POLS 312 | Early Western Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 313 | Modern Western Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 411 | American Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 450 | Masculinity and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 475 | Identity Politics, Security, and the Law | 3 |
*POLS 403 (Issues in Political Science), POLS 405 (Reading and Special Study), POLS 407 (Workshop in Political Science) can replace required courses, if they cover American government and politics.
Concentration 2: Global Politics and International Affairs Concentration (15 credits)
Five courses from International Relations and Comparative Politics, at least two courses from each area (15 credits):
International Relations (6-9 credits)
Comparative Politics (6-9 credits)
| POLS 312 | Early Western Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 313 | Modern Western Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 347 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| POLS 385 | Politics of the European Union | 3 |
| POLS 394 | Politics of Asia | 3 |
| POLS 450 | Masculinity and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 475 | Identity Politics, Security, and the Law | 3 |
| POLS 482 | Government and Politics of Western Europe | 3 |
| POLS 486 | Politics of Russia and the Successor States | 3 |
*
POLS 403 (Issues in Political Science),
POLS 405 (Reading and Special Study),
POLS 407 (Workshop in Political Science) can replace required courses, if they cover global politics and international affairs.
Concentration 3: Public Administration and Policy Concentration (15 credits)
Five courses (15 credits)
| POLS 237 | State and Local Politics | 3 |
| | or | |
| POLS 238 | Urban Government in the United States | 3 |
| | | |
| POLS 342 | Problems in Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS 351 | Management in the Public & Non-Profit Sector | 3 |
| POLS 453 | Public and Non-Profit Personnel Administration | 3 |
| POLS 454 | Politics and Administration of Government Budgets | 3 |
*
POLS 403 (Issues in Political Science),
POLS 405 (Reading and Special Study),
POLS 407 (Workshop in Political Science) can replace required courses, if they cover public administration and policy.