Degree Requirements

Political Science Major

• Ten courses:
• POL 158 Political Patterns and Processes
• POL 483 Political/Statistics/Methodology
• POL 484 Political Analysis Seminar

Required elective—one of the following:

• POL 121 American Government and Politics
• POL 122 Metropolitan Complex
• POL 160 World Politics
• POL 170 Law in the United States

Also at least five other upper division courses in four out of five political science areas. A seminar in one of the five areas may be counted for that area. Only one internship may count for an upper division area. Also one other political science course in any area, upper or lower division.

The Critical Thinking (CT), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Writing (W) graduation skills are embedded throughout the offered courses and are met by completing the major. The graduation skill in Speaking (S) is met by completing one of the following courses:
S: POL 325, POL 326, or POL 380

Transfer students must consult an adviser about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.

Pre-Law Concentration in Political Science

Major: 11 courses required
Specific Required Courses—six total

• POL 121
• POL 170
• POL 483
• POL 484

Two of the following three courses:

• ENL 223 or 220 (cannot use both ENL 223 and ENL 220)
• PHI 230
• COM 111

Electives—five total
Three courses from the choices below:

• POL 350
• POL 370
• POL 371
• POL 380
• POL 381

Plus two additional upper level courses in Political Science (can come from the list above, or be any other upper level Political Science course).

Public Policy and Political Change Concentration in Political Science

Major
11 courses required:

I. Six Specific Courses

• ECO 112 or 113
• POL 121 or 122
• POL 325 OR 326
• POL 399 (internship must be approved by political science adviser)
• ECO 490, POL 483, or SOC 362 (only one can be used for this requirement)
• POL 484

II. One Course from the Following:

• POL 121
• POL 122
• POL 124
• POL 140
• POL 158
• POL 160
• POL 170

III. Four Courses from the Following:

• POL 241
• POL 325
• POL 326
• POL 342
• POL 370
• POL 371
• POL 381
• POL 421
• POL 461
• ECO 312, 313, 413 (only one of these can be used for this requirement)
• SOC 381

NOTES
1. POL 140 can be substituted for POL 122, with adviser approval.
2. If both POL 121 and 122 are completed, one can count for section I and one for section II. The same course cannot fulfill requirements in both sections.
3. If both POL 325 and 325 are completed, one can count for section I and one for section III. The same course cannot fulfill requirements in both sections.
4. Only one economics course (either 312, 313, or 413) can be counted toward the four courses required in Section III.

Departmental Honors
The honors major in political science includes the requirements listed above, plus the following: The student’s GPA must be 3.50 in the major and 3.00 overall; the student must take an honors independent study and a seminar, and must submit an honors thesis to be defended before a faculty committee. Students may work with any member of the department on their honors thesis. For specific requirements, consult the department chair. Students should apply for the honors major no later than the junior year.

Minor
Five courses, including POL 121 or 122 or 170; POL 158; and at least three upper-division courses in three out of five political science areas. POL 483 may not usually be used for a minor.

Pre-Law Minor
Six courses required:

Four Required Courses:

• POL 121
• POL170

Two of the following three courses:

• ENL 223 or 220 (cannot use both ENL 223 and ENL 220)
• PHI 230
• COM 111

Two elective courses from the choices below:

• POL 350
• POL 370
• POL 371
• POL 380

When necessary, substitutions can be approved by the chair (e.g. if a required course has to be canceled).

Public Policy and Political Change Minor:
6 courses required

I. Three Specific Courses

• POL 121 or 122.
• POL 325 OR 326
• POL 399 (internship must be approved by adviser)

II. Three Courses from the Following:

• POL 241
• POL 325
• POL 326
• POL 342
• POL 381
• POL 421
• POL 461
• ECO 312, 313, or 413
• SOC 381

NOTES
1. POL 140 can be substituted for POL 122, with adviser approval.
2. If both POL 325 and 325 are completed, one can count for section I and one for section II. The same course cannot fulfill requirements in both sections.
3. Only one economics course (either 312, 313, or 413) can be counted toward the three courses required in Section II.

Teaching Major in Political Science and Economics
The major is only for those pursuing teaching licensure. Total of 12 courses required: five courses in economics, five courses in political science, and two courses in education. ECO 112 or 113 and POL 121 also fulfill requirements for the social studies core; education courses also fulfill licensure requirements for secondary education.

Economics Courses:

• ECO 112 Principles of Macroeconomics (elective for social science core)
• ECO 113 Principles of Microeconomics (elective for social science core)
• ECO 312 Intermediate Macroeconomics or ECO 315 Money and Banking
• ECO 313 Intermediate Microeconomics
• One other upper division economics course

Education Courses:

• EDC 200 Orientation to Education (required for licensure)
• ESE 310 5-12 Methods: Social Studies—Capstone course (required for licensure)

Political Science Courses:

• POL 121 American Government (social science core course)
• Two upper-level political science courses (must be in two different areas)
• Two other political science courses

In addition, in order to graduate with this major, a student must have been admitted into the Department of Education. To be licensed in social studies, additional education courses and the social studies core are required.

Political Science Areas
(I) American Government and Politics, (II) Comparative Politics and Analysis, (III) International Politics, (IV) Public Law, and (V) Political Theory and Analysis. Any course listed in more than one area may be counted in only one area toward major or minor requirements.

Note: Students interested in secondary education may take a political science major or the teaching major in economics and political science. Either option requires that the student also take courses required for the social studies core. For more information, see the department chair.