Nov 13, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Political Science Minor


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University General Education Requirements 

Department: Criminal Justice, Philosophy and Political Science

Chairperson: April Bernard

The Department of Criminal Justice, Philosophy, and Political Science offers a minor sequence and honors options in Political Science for students majoring in other disciplines.

Political science as a discipline seeks to explain the development of political attitudes and behavior, the nature and function of contemporary political institutions, the development and implementation of public policies, and the limits and possibilities of government, both at the national and international levels. Students will learn to critically evaluate public policies and institutions and are encouraged to become actively involved in the community through internships in government and public law. A minor in political science helps prepare students for careers in government, law, campaign management, business, international organizations, and research.

Areas of emphasis within political science are American politics and public law, international relations and comparative politics, public administration and public policy, and political theory and methodology. Students will learn to critically evaluate public policies and institutions and are encouraged to become actively involved in the community through internships in government and public law.

Internships

The department prepares students for careers in government and industry through internship opportunities. Political science students have completed internships in national, state, and local government agencies, state and federal legislators’ offices, campaign organizations, and law firms.

Pre-Law Studies

Although no specific major or minor is required for law school, political science courses are strongly recommended for students with an interest in attending law school.

Minor in Political Science (21 credit hours)


The requirements for minors must be completed prior to graduation in order for the minor to appear on the transcript. The department will accept only courses with grades of C or above for completion of the minor. For more information about the Political Science minor, see the chairperson of the department.

Required Courses for Minor in Political Science (6 credit hours)


Elective Political Science Courses (15 credit hours)


Select at least one course from each of the following four fields (required):

International Relations/Comparative Politics:


Public Administration/Public Policy:


Students may also elect to complete one or both of the following courses (optional):

Honors in Political Science


Students approved for the honors program in political science must:

  • complete two designated political science classes or independent studies at the 3000-4000 level as honors classes (6 credit hours).
  • complete a two-semester honors thesis project with a faculty mentor (6 credit hours), taking POL 4750  and POL 4850 .
  • earn a B or better in each honors course.
  • maintain a major GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Qualified students interested in beginning honors-level work in their freshman or sophomore years are encouraged to apply to the Honors College for advanced study in general education. See the Honors College section of this catalog for further details.

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