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Department Requirements

Requirements for the Major in Political Science

Political science majors must successfully complete ten 3-credit courses in political science, which must include the following five courses:

  1. POLN 101 American Politics
  2. POLN 102 Comparative Politics
  3. POLN 103 International Relations
  4. POLN 201 Introduction to Political Theory
    or
    POLN 202 American Political Theory
  5. POLN 493 Advanced Topics in Social Science

In addition, majors must complete five 3-credit electives, excluding POLN 485, POLN 486, and POLN 487

Requirements for the Honors Major in Political Science

Political science honors majors must successfully complete 36 total credits in political science, comprised of:

  1. seven required courses (21 credits )
    1. POLN 101 American Politics
    2. POLN 102 Comparative Politics
    3. POLN 103 International Relations
    4. POLN 201 Introduction to Political Theory
      or
      POLN 202 American Political Theory
    5. POLN 493 Advanced Topics in Social Science
    6. POLN 495H Senior Honors Thesis I
    7. POLN 496H Senior Honors Thesis II
  2. five elective courses, excluding POLN 485, POLN 486, and POLN 487 (15 credits).
  3. At least 21 credits must be in courses designated as Honors courses (as indicated by the letter ‘H’ after the course number). These courses are designated as Honors by the department on a semester-by-semester basis. In addition, a student must have accrued at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA in Political Science courses to graduate as an Honors Major.

Requirements for a Minor in Political Science

Political science minors must successfully complete six 3-credit courses, including:

POLN 101 American Politics

- AND -

EITHER two of the following four courses:

  1. POLN 102 Comparative Politics
  2. POLN 103 International Relations
  3. POLN 201 Introduction to Political Theory
  4. POLN 202 American Political Theory

AND three additional political science electives (may not include MATN 261 or POLN 485, 486, or 487).
- OR -
three of the following courses:

  1. POLN 102 Comparative Politics
  2. POLN 103 International Relations
  3. POLN 201 Introduction to Political Theory
  4. POLN 202 American Political Theory

AND two additional political science electives (may not include MATN 261 or POLN 485, 486, or 487).