Political Science, B.S. (A, L)

This major fulfills the A and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Through the “A” learning outcome for cultural or behavioral analysis, the Political Science major allows students to study and critically assess political behavior and political institutions in and beyond the United States, and the interactions between these behaviors and institutions that form the nexus of politics. The major also promotes the exploration of professional practice in political science as envisioned in the “L” learning outcome for applied learning, through coursework focused on career development and course activities that encourage students to engage with and reflect upon key issues in political science, considering their application in professional practice. Students need majors and/or minors to fulfill the R and E areas to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Political Science major includes 6 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Political Science major includes 9-18 general education credits.

Bachelor of Science requirements for political science majors consist of six semester hours chosen from the following:

• 9 credits from any level POSC course
• 12 credits from any 300 or 400 level POSC course

To graduate with a major in Political Science, a student must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses taken with a POSC prefix.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Twelve credits of POSC electives must be taken at the 300-400 level. Courses transferred in from community college are not eligible for credit as 300-400 level classes.

Teaching Licensure: Students wishing to teach government at the secondary level should declare a social science major (see Social Science, B.A. (E, A) and/or Social Science, B.S. (E, A)). To strengthen credentials as a government teacher, students should consider a double major in both social science and political science.