Political Science (B.A., B.S.)

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33 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

Departmental Requirements (33 hours)

POLS 100 - American Government (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
POLS 205 - Information Literacy in the Discipline
POLS 263 - Introduction to Political Theory (or any upper-division Political Theory course)
POLS 489 - Capstone
POLS 141 - Governments of the World (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
Or
POLS 250 - Introduction to International Relations (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
POLS 210 - State & Local Government (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
Or
POLS 320 - Public Administration (C)
POLS Electives 15cr

-Any POLS course not required above may serve as an elective, with a maximum of six internship hours permitted. Students can take 6 credits of internship and should consider the following: 1) two internships (3 cr. hrs each) must be significantly different internships and 2) only 3 credits count toward the major. The other 3 count toward the degree.

Political Science/Criminal Justice Double Major

Students double-majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science take either CJUS 205 or POLS 205 (but not both) and either CJUS 489 or POLS 489 (but not both), for a combined major totaling 60 credit hours.

Secondary Education/Political Science Education (B.A./B.S.)

See Political Science (B.A./B.S.) with Secondary Education Certification for program requirements for degree along with the appropriate teaching certification courses.

Students must have a CGPA of 2.6 to co-register for EDFN 338 and SEED 296 and to be admitted to Teacher Education. Beginning Summer 2015, students must have a CGPA of 2.7 to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.