A degree in political science provides students with the ability to think critically about challenges facing the world today. Students develop research, writing and analytical skills to prepare them for careers in fields such as:

  • Government
  • Civil service
  • Journalism
  • Business management
  • Legislative analysis
  • Criminology
  • City planning
  • Population studies

Students can combine the major with credentials to teach government, political science and civics in secondary schools. If a student plans to go on to the graduate level, the political science minor is an excellent complement to fields such as law, economics and a number of other social science disciplines.

Career Services offers a number of programs and services designed to help political science students plan their career, including workshops, internships and placement services after graduation.

Requirements

Program Requirements

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below. Total credit hours required in Political Science courses: 42 credit hours, including 24 upper-division credit hours.

No courses for the PSCI major may be taken pass/fail, and a student must have a grade of C- or better in all 42 required credit hours in political science, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in political science courses.

No more than 45 credit hours in political science credit will count toward the Arts and Sciences graduation requirement of 120 credit hours. This may be exceeded by 6 credit hours (for a total of 51 credit hours), provided that the excess credit hours are taken in PSCI 4715 and PSCI 4725 (honors thesis credit).

Required Courses and Credit Hours

PSCI Lower-division Distribution
PSCI 1101Introduction to American Politics3
PSCI 2012Introduction to Comparative Politics3
PSCI 2223Introduction to International Relations3
PSCI 2004Survey of Western Political Thought3
Empirical Theory and Research Methodology
PSCI 2075Quantitative Research Methods3
Choose one of the following:3
Applied Political Science Research
Designing Social Inquiry: An Introduction to Analyzing Political Phenomena
Survey Design and Analysis
Undergraduate Research Experience
Strategy and Politics
PSCI Upper-division Distribution
Select one course in four of the following six primary fields:12
American
Comparative
International Relations
Political Theory
Empirical Theory and Research Methodology 1
Public Policy
Political Science Electives
Three upper-division PSCI elective courses9
One lower or upper-division PSCI elective course3
Total Credit Hours42

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in political science, students should meet the following requirements:

  • By the end of the second semester, declare the major.
  • By the end of the third semester, complete PSCI 1101 and two of the following required courses: PSCI 2012, PSCI 2223, PSCI 2004 or PSCI 2075.
  • By the end of the fourth semester, complete the remaining lower-division political science courses.
  • By the end of the sixth semester, complete 12 upper-division credit hours of political science courses, including at least one course in three of the following fields: American, comparative, international relations, methodology, policy and theory. In addition, complete three upper-division or lower-division political science elective credit hours.
  • During the seventh and eighth semesters, complete 12 credit hours of political science courses, including at least 9 upper-division political science elective credit hours and all remaining upper-division field distribution requirements.

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

Through the required coursework for the major, students will complete all 12 credits of the the Social Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, as well as the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement. Depending on the courses selected in the major, students can also potentially complete the U.S. Perspective component of the Gen Ed Diversity Requirement.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
PSCI 1101 Introduction to American Politics 3
PSCI 2012
Introduction to Comparative Politics
or Introduction to International Relations
3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) 4
Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) 3
Elective or MAPS (If needed) 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
PSCI 2223
Introduction to International Relations
or Introduction to Comparative Politics
3
PSCI 2004 Survey of Western Political Thought 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Elective or MAPS 3
Elective or MAPS 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall Semester
PSCI 2075 Quantitative Research Methods 3
PSCI Required Upper-Division course (Four Area courses required) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Arts & Humanities/US Perspective) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
PSCI 3105
Designing Social Inquiry: An Introduction to Analyzing Political Phenomena
or Applied Political Science Research
or Strategy and Politics
or Survey Design and Analysis
or Undergraduate Research Experience
3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Arts & Humanities/Global Perspective) 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Three
Fall Semester
PSCI Required Upper-Division course (Four Area courses required) 3
PSCI Required Upper-Division course (Four Area courses required) 3
Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) 3
Elective (Upper-Division) 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
PSCI Required Upper-Division course (Four Area courses required) 3
PSCI Required Upper-Division Elective (Twelve elective credits required) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Elective (Upper-Division) 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall Semester
PSCI Upper-Division Elective (Twelve elective credits required) 3
PSCI Upper-Division Elective (Twelve elective credits required) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) 3
Elective (Upper-Division) 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
PSCI Elective Lower or Upper-division (Twelve elective credits required) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Arts & Humanities) 3
Elective (Upper-Division) 3
Elective (Upper-Division) 3
Elective (Upper-Division, if needed) 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours121

Learning Outcomes 

Upon successfully completing the program, students will be able to:

  • Communicate political science concepts clearly, both orally and in writing.
  • Locate the evidence necessary to evaluate arguments in political science research and the current political world.
  • Create well-designed arguments using relevant theories of political science.
  • Answer research questions using logical inference from quantitative and qualitative evidence.
  • Understand political dynamics at the subnational, national and international levels.
  • Develop an appreciation for various ideological perspectives and for the complex political environment around them.
  • Acquire a sense of efficacy for changing the political environment.