BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

    The political science major requires thirty hours of political science including Political Science 100, 102 and at least six hours from each of the three fields (Theory and Methodology, American Government, and Global Studies) listed below. In addition to the thirty hours of political science, Criminal Justice 101 is required. The political science minor requires twenty-one semester hours including Political Science 100, 102, and at least three hours from each of the three fields listed below.

    Theory and Methodology: PSC 301, 451, 452, and 454. (It is strongly recommended that majors considering graduate study take PSC 301.)

    American Government: PSC 100, 101, 102, 203, 342, 352, 402, 412, 443, 444, 445, 447, 450, 481, 493, 498, and 499.

    Global Studies: PSC 305, 375, 376, 377, 421, 423, 432, 433, 435, and 463.

    Pre-Law: There is no specific major in pre-law; however, a large percentage of students planning to attend law school select Political Science as a major. Beyond the requirements of the major, it is recommended that pre-law students take courses in logic, economics, accounting, real estate, and advanced composition. Regardless of major, pre-law students should take PSC 443 and 444 (Constitutional Law). The Political Science Department sponsors the Law Club, maintains relations with regional law schools, and provides application and informational materials for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).

    Minor in International Studies: Students whose interest and/or career plans have an international orientation may wish to pursue a minor in International Studies. While the International Studies minor is administered by the Political Science Department, any major offered by the University (including Political Science) is acceptable. Twenty-four semester hours, distributed as follows, are required for the International Studies minor.

    Political Science: (twelve hours*)

    PSC 100* (Political Science Majors must take an additional course from the Global Studies Field.)

    PSC 421 or 423

    PSC 432 Three hours selected from PSC 305, 375, 376, 377, 421, 433, and 435.

     
    Geography: (six hours*)
    GY 320
              Three hours selected from GY 351, AN 345 and 347**
     
    Electives: (six hours*)
    Two courses selected from any of the following:
                Foreign Languages--by advisement**
                History--HY 302, 331, 332, 333, 404, 409, 410, 411, 465, 470, 471, 473, 480, and 481**
                Sociology--SY 366
                College of Commerce and Business Administration-- EC 305, 450; FIN 434; MGT 496

    * Courses counted toward the major may not be counted toward the International Studies minor.

    ** Where possible, all area specific courses should focus on the same area: Western Europe, the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the Far East, Latin America, the Middle East, and so on.

     

 

Master Degree:

The Political Science and Public Administration Department offers core courses and an area concentration in political science within the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree program and supporting courses for the Master of Arts with a major in liberal studies. For students majoring in secondary education with a teaching field in social science, supporting courses are offered for the Master of Science in Education and the Educational Specialist degrees.

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree is designed to meet the professional development needs of individuals employed by or planning a career in local, state, or federal government, or non-profit associations and organizations. Applicants who meet the general admission requirements to the College of Graduate Studies are eligible for admission to the M.P.A. program. A particular undergraduate major is not specified for admission to this program.

Admission Requirements for the M.P.A. Degree

A total of 36 semester hours is required. The student must complete 15 semester hours in required public administration courses and 15 semester hours in a concentration from one of the following fields: business administration and economics, criminal justice, emergency management, environmental science management, political science, or spatial analysis and management.

    Required Public Administration Courses:
     
     
    PSC 481G  Public Administration (3)
    PSC 502 Research Methods in Public Administration (3)
    PSC 531 Public Personnel Administration (3)
    PSC 532 Public Finance Administration (3)
    and
    PSC 521 Administrative Law (3)
    or
    PSC 545 Seminar in Public Administration (3)

     

    Note: If a student completed PSC 481 Public Administration or equivalent at the undergraduate level, PSC 481G may not be repeated and the student will be required to take both PSC 521 Administrative Law and PSC 545 Seminar in Public Administration.

     
    Concentration in one of the Following Fields of Study:
     

    Business Administration: 15 Semester hours by advisement

              or

    Criminal Justice: 15 semester hours by advisement

              or

    Emergency Management: 15 required semester hours

              or

    Environmental Science Management: 15 required semester hours

              or

    Political Science: 15 semester hours by advisement

              or

    Spatial Analysis and Management: 15 required semester hours

     

    The remaining six hours are electives in a field appropriate to the student's interest and career objectives. Students concentrating in business administration and economics may not elect these six hours in business or economic courses.

     

     

     
     

     

     

 
 
Degrees Offered
in Political Science.

 
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