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    Dec 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Political Science, BA


A Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science combines cutting-edge research with award-winning teaching to ensure your academic and career goals are met. Our courses provide a deep understanding of relevant issues in local, national and international governments.


Degree requirements

The following requirements must be satisfied for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science.

Hours required and general/college requirements


A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the University Core Curriculum  in the Academic policies  section of this catalog and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences  requirements.

Major requirements


36 hours in political science


Political science majors must complete 36 hours in political science:

Advanced courses


Advanced courses are offered in six areas of study:

Notes

Courses listed in more than one area of study may be counted toward the requirements of only one area.

*May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Electives


Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements . Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information, see an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Other requirements


Academic requirements for graduation with a BA degree in political science: A student must have a minimum of 2.5 grade point average in all courses counting toward the political science major; the student must have a 2.0 grade point average in all work attempted, including transfer, correspondence, extension and residence work in all courses.

Four-year degree plan (example)


The following four-year plan is one example of a variety of ways in which you can complete your chosen degree in four years, and will serve as a guide for you to design your pathway to degree completion. Variations will depend on whether you need to take prerequisites or have college credit from exams or dual enrollment.

Year 1

Semester 1 Semester 2
PSCI 2306 - US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions   3 hours   PSCI 2305 - US Political Behavior and Policy   3 hours  
Communication core   3 hours  Communication core   3 hours
Component Area Option A core    3 hours Life and Physical Sciences core    3 hours
Mathematics core    3 hours Social and Behavioral Sciences core    3 hours
CLASS Foreign Language-elementary   3 hours CLASS Foreign Language-elementary   3 hours
Total 15 hours Total 15 hours

 

Year 2

Semester 1 Semester 2
HIST 2610 - United States History to 1865   3 hours   HIST 2620 - United States History Since 1865   3 hours  
PSCI 3300 - Political Science Research Methods   3 hours   Component Area Option B core    3 hours
Life and Physical Sciences core   3 hours Creative Arts core    3 hours
Language, Philosophy and Culture core    3 hours CLASS Foreign Language-intermediate   3 hours
CLASS Foreign Language-intermediate   3 hours Elective 3 hours
Total 15 hours Total 15 hours

 

Year 3

Semester 1 Semester 2
CLASS Distribution-Cultural Diversity and Global Issues    3 hours  PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours
PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours  PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours
PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours
PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours Elective 3 hours
Elective 3 hours Elective 3 hours
Total 15 hours Total 15 hours

 

Year 4

Semester 1 Semester 2
CLASS Distribution-Communication and Digital Skills   3 hours  PSCI Capstone 3 hours
PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours  Elective 3 hours
PSCI elective-advanced 3 hours Elective 3 hours
Elective 3 hours Elective-advanced 3 hours
Elective-advanced 3 hours Elective-advanced 3 hours
Total 15 hours Total 15 hours