The Political Science major must complete course work in the four major subfields of the discipline: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory. A major in Political Science requires the completion of GOVT 101, 105, 250, 252, 355, 391, 412 or 413 or 414, 416, GOVT elective, and 18 hours of concentration courses at the 300+ level.
No more than 6 hours of internship credit may be applied toward the requirements for a major in Political Science. A minor from another field of interest is encouraged. Students must select a concentration within the major between Legal Studies and International Politics. Students with interest in Law School are encouraged to select the Legal Studies concentration. All Political Science majors must successfully complete the Political Science capstone examination in order to graduate.
Minor
A minor in Political Science requires the completion of 18 hours to include GOVT 101, and 15 hours of Government electives (12 hours must be at the 300+ level). No more than 6 hours of internship credit may be applied toward the requirements for a minor in Political Science.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science
- International Politics Concentration (POLI)
- Legal Studies Concentration (POLL)
| (GER) General Education Requirement |
| (UR) University Requirement |
Suggested Course Sequence:
| YEAR* | COURSE NAME | COURSE NUMBER | REQUIREMENT | CREDIT HRS |
| 1 | ENGL | 101 | GER | 3 |
| 1 | ENGL | 102 | GER | 3 |
| 1 | GOVT | 101 | 3 | |
| 1 | Freshman Seminar Course | UR | 1 | |
| 1 | HIST | 101 or 150 | GER | 3 |
| 1 | HIST | 102 or 151 | GER | 3 |
| 1 | MATH Elective | GER | 3 | |
| 1 | MATH Elective | GER | 3 | |
| 1 | Natural Sciences Elective | GER | 3 | |
| 1 | GOVT | 105 | 3 | |
| 1 | Foreign Language or Elective | 3 | ||
| 2 | ECON 255 or MATH 214 or SOCI 205 | 3 | ||
| 2 | ENGL Literature Elective | GER | 3 | |
| 2 | GOVT | 250 | GER | 3 |
| 2 | GOVT | 252 | 3 | |
| 2 | HIST | 256 | 3 | |
| 2 | MACO | 101 | 3 | |
| 2 | Natural Sciences Elective | GER | 3 | |
| 2 | Natural Sciences Elective | GER | 3 | |
| 2 | SOCI | 151 | GER | 3 |
| 2 | SPCH | 101 or 104 | 3 | |
| 3 | Fine Arts Elective | GER | 3 | |
| 3 | Computer Literacy Elective(s) | 2 | ||
| 3 | SOCI | 225 | 3 | |
| 3 | GOVT | 416 | 3 | |
| 3 | GOVT | 355 | 3 | |
| 3 | Concentration Course | See below | 3 | |
| 3 | GOVT | 412 or 413 or 414 | 3 | |
| 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 3 | Foreign Language or Elective | 3 | ||
| 4 | GOVT | 391 | 3 | |
| 4 | Concentration Course | See below | 3 | |
| 4 | Concentration Course | See below | 3 | |
| 4 | Concentration Course | See below | 3 | |
| 4 | Concentration Course | See below | 3 | |
| 4 | Elective | 300-level or above | 3 | |
| 4 | Elective | 300-level or above | 3 | |
| 4 | GOVT Elective | 300-level or above | 3 | |
| 4 | Concentration Course | See below | 3 | |
| 4 | Elective | 300-level or above | 3 | |
| TOTAL HOURS | 120 |
*Recommend complete as Freshman (1), Sophomore (2), Junior (3), Senior (4)
Legal Studies Concentration (POLL) 18 semester hours from the following:
| GOVT 399 (3) | |
| GOVT 400 (3) | |
|
Choose 12 hours from the following: |
|
| GOVT 302 (3) | GOVT 457 (3) |
| GOVT 351 (3) | GOVT 458 (3) |
| GOVT 365 (3) | MACO 370 (3) |
| GOVT 387 (3) | CRJU 470 (3) |
International Politics Concentration (POLI) 18 semester hours from the following:
| SOCI 405 (3) | |
| GOVT 421 (3) | |
|
Choose 12 hours from the following: |
|
| GOVT 322 (3) | GOVT 422 (3) |
| GOVT 333 (3) | GOVT 423 (3) |
| GOVT 440 (3) | |
Pre-Law Program
Most law schools require the baccalaureate degree before admission. Although almost any degree is acceptable, the College of Liberal Arts recommends a degree in political science or history. In addition to the course requirements for the major, students should schedule GOVT 399, GOVT 400, BSAD 221, BSAD 324 and MACO 370. In the fall of their senior year prospective law school students should take the Law School Aptitude Test (L.S.A.T.).
