Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Program Description

A political science degree is a pathway to law school, graduate school, or employment with government agencies or private sector organizations. While not specific undergraduate major is required for for law school, the political science program addresses the communication skills, critical understanding of institutions, behaviors and values, and analytical thinking for the study of law.

Philosophy can be described as thinking about thinking. Plato in the Apology, has Socrates say "an unexamined life is not worthy of a human being." In essence the philosopher must examine both on which beliefs we act and how we come to form our belief. This discipline is a perfect complement to political science study.

Career Opportunities

• Teaching
• Government Service
• Legal Career
• Public Policy
• Public Relations

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the discipline of political science in terms of its history, content, purpose and methodologies
• Demonstrate knowledge of the sub-fields of political science (American politics, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, political behavior/policy, and law)
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze materials (e.g. data, texts), and to think critically
• Demonstrate the effective ability to communicate orally
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to intellectual and social skills be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to governmental employment, private employment, graduate and/or professional school

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
Foreign Language 1002
Foreign Language 2001
PHIL 2020 Critical Thinking
STAT 1127 Introductory Statistics
Select two 1000/2000-level courses from the following group, no more than one from each discipline:
ECON/GEOG/HIST/PHIL/PSYC/SOCI

Area G Required Hours: 30
("C" or better required in each course)

Area H Required Hours: 21
("C" or better required in each course)
Select 21 hours from the following:
Any POLS courses listed but not applied in Area G

Area I Required Hours: 9
Non-POLS electives, 1000-4000 level.

Total Hours Required: 123