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Political Science

The recommended four-year plan is designed to provide a blueprint for students to complete their degrees within four years. Students must meet with their Major Advisor to develop a more individualized plan to complete their degree. This plan assumes that no developmental courses are required. If developmental courses are needed, students may have additional requirements to fulfill which are not listed in the plan and may extend degree completion. 

 

NOTE: This recommended Four-Year Plan is applicable to students admitted into the major during the 2023-2024 academic year.

First Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Second Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Third Year

Fall Semester

  • Major: POLI 316 - POLITICAL SCIENCE METHODOLOGY  (HRS 4)
  • Major: 300 Level Political Science Elective (HRS 4)
  • Major: 300 Level Political Science Elective (HRS 4)
  • School Core: Language III* (HRS 4)
  • Total: (HRS 16)

Spring Semester

  • Study Abroad/Co-Op/DC Internship*** (HRS 4)
  • Study Abroad/Co-Op/DC Internship (HRS 4)
  • Study Abroad/Co-Op/DC Internship (HRS 4)
  • Study Abroad/Co-Op/DC Internship (HRS 4)
  • Total: (HRS 16)

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

  • Major: 300 Level Political Science Elective (HRS 4)
  • Major: 300 Level Political Science Elective (HRS 4)
  • Major: 200/300 Level Political Science Elective (HRS 4)
  • General Elective: Elective (HRS 4)
  • Total: (HRS 16)

Spring Semester

Total Credits Required: 128 credits

GPA: 2.0

+ May double count in General Education and Major

# Passing any Language class as part of the school core fulfills the General Education Global Awareness requirement. Students testing out of the school core language requirement need to take a class from the General Education Global Awareness list.

* Entering Language courses at the 300 Level indicates fulfillment of the school core Language requirement.

** Students may count up to 2 classes for the major or Unit toward the general education program. POLI 223 American Government is a required class for the major and satisfies the Gen Ed: Systems, Sustainability, and Society distribution category. Students have to take one class in either Gen Ed: Culture & Creativity or Gen Ed: Values and Ethics distribution categories. Students satisfying the Gen Ed: Global Awareness category by completing the school core language requirement are not permitted to double count any courses other than POLI 223 in the general education program. Students who do not use the school core language requirement for the Gen Ed: Global Awareness category may be able to use a second POLI class for the general education program. Please consult with your academic adviser when considering double-counting classes within the major and general education program.

***The Political Science major strongly recommends a Study Abroad but does not require one. Spring Semester of Junior Year is suggested for the Study Abroad.

****Internship Requirement: All students must complete a 120-hour internship/coop for 2 credits (AIID 388) prior to graduation.  Alternatively, students can apply for the Washington Internship Institute WII) for a semester-long internship as well as taking classes in Washington DC.  Students who are interested in WII should consult with their Major Advisor for greater details.  

Writing Intensive Requirement (5 courses):  please note that 2 writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: Critical Reading and Writing and Studies in the Arts and Humanities; Within the major, the 3 courses will be Political Science Methodology, Political Science Seminar, and Modern Comparative Politics or International Politics.