Political Science, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Outcomes

1. Students can apply knowledge of American institutions to contemporary issues

2. Students can compare governments and demonstrate strengths and weaknesses in governmental forms.

3. Students can evaluate international activities, events and institutions including legal problems

4. Students can demonstrate familiarity with qualitative and quantitative methods

5. Students can theorize and conceptualize in a search for solutions to contemporary problems

6. Students can engage in risk assessment and information sharing through a capstone experience.

Students in the B.A. political science program must complete 121 credits. These courses must include the University Core Curriculum and 48 credits of political science courses, including those listed below.

University Core Curriculum

Tier 1:

C1T1 - ENGL 1112 or ENGL 1113
C2T1 - COMM 1130
C3T1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Literacy - choose any course with this attribute
C4T1 - Scientific Exploration - choose any course with this attribute
C5T1 - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - choose any course with this attribute
C6T1 - Historical Perspectives - choose any course with this attribute
C7T1 - The Individual and Society - choose any course with this attribute
C8T1 - Global and Intercultural Awareness - choose any course with this attribute
C9T1 - Perspective on Creative Arts - choose any course with this attribute

Tier 2:

To fulfill the 12 credits of core curriculum tier 2 requirements, political science majors may choose courses from any competency.

Note: Political science majors can take a maximum of 6 total credits of political science courses to satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements.

Required Courses

Plus one of the following Political Theory restricted electives:

Plus one of the following Comparative Politics restricted electives:

Plus one of the following American Politics restricted electives:

Plus one of the following Experiential Learning restricted electives:

Plus

Plus 15 credits of PSCI electives to be chosen with the student's departmental advisor.
Plus 39 credits of free electives to be chosen with the student's departmental advisor.

Direct Entry B.A. Political Science/M.B.A. Business Administration

The direct entry B.A. Political Science and M.B.A. Business Administration degree program is available to any qualified incoming Political Science major. To qualify, students must have at least a 3.25 high school GPA and a score of 1100 on the SAT. Students in the program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to continue into the graduate portion of the program. Students in this program will complete their B.A. Political Science in the first four years. In the fourth year, students will begin their M.B.A. coursework, which they will complete in year five or six, depending on the accelerated track chosen.

Direct Entry B.A. Political Science/M.P.A. Public Administration

The direct entry B.A. Political Science and M.P.A. Public Administration degree program is available to any qualified incoming Political Science major. To qualify, students must have at least a 3.25 high school GPA and a score of 1100 on the SAT. Students in the program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to continue into the graduate portion of the program. Students in this program will complete their B.A. Political Science in the first four years. In the fourth year, students will begin their M.P.A. coursework, which they will complete in year five, semester two.