Political Science, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Description

The programs in the Department of Political Science are designed to teach students the fundamentals of contemporary public policy, the importance of politics and democracy, and the means by which government can be influenced to respond to collective needs.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

A major in Political Science offers a strong foundation in the Liberal Arts. Building on the foundation opens the way to many career opportunities in the Private, Non-Profit and Public sectors. The choice to continue your education in graduate school can lead to diverse careers in new and exciting areas, including Attorney at Law, Professor and City Manager, Journalist, Public Relations, Communications, Legal Research, Consulting, Public Policy Advocate, Director of Development, City Council Member, Law Enforcement Officer, Legislative Director, Public Relations Officer, School District Administrator.

What skills are developed within this major?

Political Science majors learn how to: Carefully and accurately analyze texts and ideas; apply qualitative and quantitative methods to real world problems, think critically about complex issues; research, digest, and utilize data from a variety of sources; communicate ideas clearly and effectively in writing and speech; engage with other viewpoints in a balanced and nuanced manner.

Admission to Major

Prospective majors are encouraged to take PSC 111 in their freshman year as part of their university General Education requirement. Then, early in the sophomore year, students should arrange a meeting with the department chair to discuss declaring a major. Transfer students from community colleges and other four-year institutions should declare their political science major as soon as possible after arriving on campus.

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 120

Minimum Hours Required for Major: 36

Major-Field Requirements

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major is required. The program is divided into three parts: Required Courses, Field Distribution Requirements, and Seminar.

1. Required Core (9 hours)

9 hours are required in the following:

2. Field Distribution Requirements (24 hours at the 300- to 400-level)

A. One Course in Theory (3 hours)

Choose 1 of the following:

B. Two courses in American Politics (6 hours)

American Politics Courses:

C. Two courses in the Comparative/International Politics field (6 hours)

Comparative/International Politics Courses:

D. Additional 300- or 400- level electives (9 hours)

A minimum of three additional 300- or 400-level Political Science courses.

3. One PSC 400-level seminar in any field (3 hours)

Prerequisite: Completion of PSC 111 , PSC 221 or PSC 231 , PSC 251 , and at least one 300- or 400- level course in the field, or permission of the instructor.

Public Service Specialization

Students who seek a political science program that is more oriented toward practical politics and government service can take the regular political science degree with a specialization in public service. Requirements of this program are identical to those of the political science major with two exceptions: public-service track majors take an internship (PSC 401 , PSC 402 , PSC 403 or PSC 405 , for 3 hours of credit) instead of the senior seminar, as their capstone course. They also take one course specifically related to their internship, as well as the usual field-distribution requirements for the major.

Admission to Specialization

Students wishing to specialize in the public-service track must meet the same requirements as regular political science majors. When they declare their major they should inform the chair of their intention to specialize in public service. They will then be assigned to the internship adviser for all further advising on their program and on their internship. Students will need a 3.0 in their major or permission of the instructor to enroll in an internship.

Hours Required for Specialization

Minimum hours required for specialization: 36 semester hours

Specialization Requirements

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major is required.

1. Common Core (3 courses)

2. Field Distribution Requirements (5 courses)

A. One course in Political Theory

B. Two courses in American Politics and Institutions

C. Two courses in the Comparative/International Politics field

Tracks in Public Service

Note: To be eligible for the internship, students must complete the common core and the relevant 300 course in preparation. Students must also have a 3.0 grade point average in their major.

A. Urban Politics

B. National Politics

Any course in the American field, excluding PSC 301
PSC 403 - Administrative Internship Program

C. Electoral Politics

D. Electives (2 courses)

Students must take two additional 300 or 400 level courses in Political Science.

Honors Program Requirements

The University Honors Program in Political Science requires the completion of:

An Honors Contract version of the Capstone seminar, in which the student will be expected to do a high-quality paper and present it to a faculty panel
Three (3) additional Honors contract courses in Political Science, chosen by the student in consultation with a departmental advisor

All courses count toward the regular major. No additional credits beyond the regular Political Science major are required.

University Scholars Requirements

The University Scholars Program in Political Science requires the completion of:

Three (3) Honors contract courses in Political Science, chosen by the student in consultation with a departmental advisor
- The Seminar MAY NOT be one of these

All courses count toward the regular major. No additional credits beyond the regular Political Science major are required.

Accelerated 3+3 Degree

The CSU/Cleveland-Marshall College of Law 3+3 program permits a student who has completed three years of undergraduate study to be admitted to the College of Law to begin J.D. studies. The undergraduate degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the first full year of the J.D. curriculum, thus permitting the student to graduate with both an undergraduate and law degrees in six rather than seven years of full-time study (or its equivalent). In effect, the first year of law school completes the fourth year of the undergraduate degree (serving, in effect, as undergraduate elective courses) and serves as the first year of law school. This arrangement saves both time and money for the student.