Political Science, B.S.

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The Bachelor of Science in Political Science prepares students for fulfilling careers as civic leaders and contributors to democratic societies.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe key concepts and concerns in political science and/or public service.
2. Describe the institutional framework of politics at the local, state, national or international levels.
3. Illustrate theoretical foundations of political science and/or public service concepts.
4. Understand political behavior, actions, outcomes, or problems at the local, state, national, or international level.
5. Evaluate and summarize information from varied and reliable sources.
6. Produce a research paper, opinion paper, personal reflection or analytical essay, by bringing research or practical skills to bear on a specific issue related to politics or public administration.

The Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Pathway offers the opportunity to simultaneously satisfy partial degree requirements for a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated program of study. Upon completion of the undergraduate B.S. in Political Science with a satisfactory undergraduate grade point average and a grade of “B” or better in all graduate courses completed, the student may move to full graduate status in the Master’s program in Public Administration (MPA) and the graduate-level courses taken as an undergraduate will be applied toward the graduate degree.

Requirement

Core IMPACTS General Education Requirements: (42 Hours)

Core IMPACTS General Education Requirements

Field of Study: 18 Hours

(Foundations of Social Science)

Learning Outcomes same as Core IMPACTS Area S

Take at least 2 courses from among the following (minimum 6 hours)
POLS 2101 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2201 - State and Local Government 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2401 - Global Issues 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2601 - Introduction to Political Science Inquiry 3 Credit Hours
Take the remaining hours from among the following:
ANTH 1102 - Introduction to Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
BUSA 2106 - Legal and Ethical Environment of Business 3 Credit Hours
MATH 1401 - Elementary Statistics 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 2020 - Critical Thinking 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 2030 - Introduction to Ethics 3 Credit Hours
XIDS 2100 - Arts and Ideas: Special Topics 3 Credit Hours
XIDS 2300 - Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Sciences 3 Credit Hours
XIDS 2301 - Introduction to Global Studies 3 Credit Hours
Any 2000 level POLS class
Any 1000 or 2000 level course in COMM, FREN, GRMN, HIST, PSYC, or SPAN
Any 2000 level course in ACCT, CRIM, ECON, ENGL, GEOG, or SOCI

Major Courses: 42 Hours

Seven 4000 level political science courses: 21 Hours

All majors must complete a capstone experience 3.0-15.0 Hours

A minimum of 21 additional upper division hours in political science.

ABM students can substitute the following graduate courses for the undergraduate course:

POLS 6200 Public Budgeting and Financial Management FOR POLS 4204 Public Finance
POLS 6206 Public Human Resource Management FOR POLS 4219 Public Human Resource Management
POLS 6205 Administrative Law and Procedures FOR POLS 4220 Administrative Law and Government
POLS 6201 Theory of Public Administration and Ethics FOR POLS 4221 Government Organization and Administrative Theory

Note:

No more than 15 hours of directed readings or independent study may count toward the major.

No POLS course in which the student receives a grade lower than a “C” may count toward the major.

*Capstone courses are designated each semester. Each student must successfully complete at least one capstone experience.

Electives: 18 Hours

(at least 3 hours must be upper division courses)

Total: 120 Hours

** PHIL 4115 may be selected to satisfy this requirement.