Undergraduate Bulletin > Political Science > Major

Political Science Major (PSCI)

The Political Science Major is suitable for students with career interests in law, politics, or governmental service (at local, state, or federal levels), as well as for students who have more general intellectual interests in government, politics, and international relations as part of their effort to obtain a liberal education or to prepare for careers in business or nonprofit work.

Students should take a broad variety of courses in the major to become familiar with the diversity of topics and methods used by contemporary political scientists throughout the world. Majors should consult early with their faculty advisors to plan programs most suitable to their individual interests and needs.

The Prelaw concentration is designed for political science majors with a strong interest in law. The concentration provides majors with a breadth and depth of knowledge of legal issues and legal research, rigorously prepares them for advanced studies in law, and trains them for the legal professions using a broad variety of skills relating to legal institutions and particular subject areas related to law.

Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

Core Category	S.H.
Students may select courses for:
Literature (GLT)	6
Fine Arts (GFA)	3
Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)	3
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)	3
Mathematics (GMT)	3
Natural Sciences (GNS) one must be a laboratory course; each must have a different departmental prefix	6–7
Reasoning and Discourse (GRD) ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course	6
Department specifies courses for:
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB) required: PSC 100 and 240	6

 

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/concentration.

 

III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)

See requirements and approved courses.

Category	S.H.
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture one GPM (Premodern) or GMO (Modern) course, depending on category used to satisfy GHP requirement	3
Natural Sciences any GLS or GPS course	3–4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB) any additional GSB course with a departmental prefix other than PSC	3
Foreign Language (GFL) intermediate-level proficiency in one language, demonstrated by placement test, or completion of course work through course number 204	0–12
Writing Intensive Courses (WI) a total of four WI courses

 

IV Major Requirements

Every political science major must complete the following requirements:
A minimum of 30 semester hours in political science, which includes PSC 1001, 2401, 260, and 301, fifteen (15) additional hours in political science at the 300 level, or higher, and three (3) additional hours in political science at the 200 level or higher.

1PSC 100 and 240 satisfy GSB.

Prelaw Concentration

In partial fulfillment of the major requirement of 18 semester hours at the 300 level or higher, the Prelaw concentration requires:

1. PSC 316
2. Nine (9) s.h. from the following: PSC 3002, 312, 313, 314, 318, 320, 326, 336, 341, 3992, 516

2when approved by the department as an appropriate prelaw-related course

V Related Area Requirements

No specific courses required.

VI Electives

Courses in other social sciences and in history are recommended. Electives sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for the degree must be taken.