The discipline of Political Science offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science, as well as minors in Pre-Law, International Relations, International Studies, Terrorism Studies, and Political Science.
The discipline of Political Science provides a comprehensive understanding of the problems and processes of politics. In addition to acquiring critical writing, communications, and analytical skills, political science majors master the political institutions of both Texas and the United States, explore the intricacies of international relations and foreign policy, compare political systems, gain experience with the law, and are challenged by the basic philosophical questions of political existence.
A field of great breadth and diversity, political science is a very popular undergraduate major. Curricula promote critical thinking, ethics, citizenship skills, an understanding of cultural and social diversity within the national and international context and communication and technological skills.
A degree in political science is excellent preparation for a career in law or political analysis. Political science majors qualify for public sector careers in local, state and federal governments, international organizations, and pre-college and college teaching, as well as careers in journalism, finance, political campaigns, and interest groups and organizations. Training in political science further provides outstanding preparation for participation in community organizations, electoral politics, social and political movements, and elected or appointed positions in government.
Degree Requirements - Total Semester Credit Hours=120
FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE: At least four semesters of a single foreign language or a satisfactory grade on a written examination approved by the foreign language faculty.
FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE: Six hours from economics, geography, and/or computer science in addition to those otherwise counted as lower-division preparation.
University Core Curriculum (42 hrs.)
A minimum grade of "C" in all political science courses.
Twelve semester hours of upper division political science courses must be completed at this university.
A minimum of 36 semester hours in political science, of which 30 must be upper division, as follows:
Required
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
| POLS 2306 | Introductory Texas Politics [TCCN: GOVT 2306] | |
Political Theory: (3 hours)
| POLS 3360 | Classical Foundations of Western Political Theory | |
| POLS 3361 | Western Political Theory from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance | |
| POLS 3362 | Western Political Theory from the Enlightenment | |
| POLS 4353 | Contemporary Political Theory | |
| POLS 4360 | American Political Thought | |
| POLS 4361 | Theories of Nonviolence | |
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
American Politics: (6 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Comparative Politics: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
International Politics: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Public Administration and Policy: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Legal Studies: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Methodology: (3 hours)
| POLS 4396 | Political Research and Methodology | |
| or | |
| SOCI 3396 | Social Research Methods | |
| or | |
| Equivalent | |
Upper-division political science electives (6 hours)
A minor of at least 18 hours, chosen in consultation with an advisor in the minor discipline.
Recommended Four-Year Curriculum - Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Freshman Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Creative Arts (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| ENGL 1301 | College Composition I [TCCN: ENGL 1301] | |
| HIST 1301 | United States History I [TCCN: HIST 1301] | |
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
| ENGL 1302 | College Composition II [TCCN: ENGL 1302] | |
| HIST 1302 | United States History II [TCCN: HIST 1302] | |
| POLS 2306 | Introductory Texas Politics [TCCN: GOVT 2306] | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Sophomore Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| Foreign Language (Spanish or French) 6 hours | |
| HIST 2321 | World Civilizations I [TCCN: HIST 2321] | |
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology [TCCN: SOCI 1301] | |
| | Mathematics (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| Foreign Language (Spanish or French) 6 hours | |
| | STEM (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| HIST 2322 | World Civilizations II [TCCN: HIST 2322] | |
| GEOG 1313 | World Regional Geography [TCCN: GEOG 1303] | |
Junior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| Political Theory (3 hours) | |
| American Politics (3 hours) | |
| Comparative Politics (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| International Politics (3 hours) | |
| Public Administration and Policy (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Senior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| American Politics (3 hours) | |
| Methodology (3 hours) | |
| | Upper-division Political Science Elective (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| Legal Studies (3 hours) | |
| | Upper-division Political Science Elective (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Political Theory Elective – POLS 3360, POLS 3361, POLS 3362, POLS 4353, POLS 4360, POLS 4361 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
American Politics - POLS 3300, POLS 3330, POLS 3327, POLS 3335, POLS 3356, POLS 4320, POLS 4330, POLS 4340, POLS 4352, POLS 4355, or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Comparative Politics – POLS 3370, POLS 3372, POLS 3375, POLS 3380, POLS 3385, POLS 3388, POLS 3395, POLS 4325, POLS 4388/RELI 3350, or (when applicable) POLS 4365
International Politics – POLS 3310, POLS 3315, POLS 3390, POLS 3391, POLS 4305, POLS 4310, POLS 4315, POLS 4316, POLS 4350 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Public Administration and Policy – POLS 3340, POLS 3345, POLS 4335, POLS 4345, POLS 4393 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Legal Studies – POLS 3300, POLS 3321, POLS 4320, POLS 4321, POLS 4322, POLS 4350 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Methodology – POLS 4396, SOCI 3396, CRIJ 4322 or equivalent
Minor – At least 18 hours in a single discipline or 18 hours of guided electives to be chosen in consultation with an advisor
Recommended Four-Year Curriculum - Bachelor of Science in Political Science
Freshman Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| | Creative Arts (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| ENGL 1301 | College Composition I [TCCN: ENGL 1301] | |
| HIST 1301 | United States History I [TCCN: HIST 1301] | |
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| CMST 1315 | Introduction to Public Speaking [TCCN: SPCH 1315] | |
| ENGL 1302 | College Composition II [TCCN: ENGL 1302] | |
| HIST 1302 | United States History II [TCCN: HIST 1302] | |
| POLS 2306 | Introductory Texas Politics [TCCN: GOVT 2306] | |
| | Life and Physical Sciences (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Sophomore Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| ECON 2301 | Principles of Macroeconomics [TCCN: ECON 2301] | |
| HIST 2321 | World Civilizations I [TCCN: HIST 2321] | |
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology [TCCN: SOCI 1301] | |
| | Mathematics (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| Lower Division Elective (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| ECON 2302 | Principles of Microeconomics [TCCN: ECON 2302] | |
| | STEM (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| HIST 2322 | World Civilizations II [TCCN: HIST 2322] | |
| GEOG 1313 | World Regional Geography [TCCN: GEOG 1303] | |
| Lower Division Elective (3 hours) | |
Junior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| Political Theory (3 hours) | |
| American Politics (3 hours) | |
| Comparative Politics (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| International Politics (3 hours) | |
| Public Administration and Policy (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Senior Year
First Semester (15 hrs.)
| American Politics (3 hours) | |
| Methodology (3 hours) | |
| | Upper-division Political Science Elective (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Second Semester (15 hrs.)
| Legal Studies (3 hours) | |
| | Upper-division Political Science Elective (3 hours) | |
| Minor (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |
Political Theory Elective – POLS 3360, POLS 3361, POLS 3362, POLS 4353, POLS 4360, POLS 4361 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
American Politics - POLS 3300, POLS 3330, POLS 3327, POLS 3335, POLS 3356, POLS 4320, POLS 4330, POLS 4340, POLS 4352, POLS 4355, or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Comparative Politics – POLS 3370, POLS 3372, POLS 3375, POLS 3380, POLS 3385, POLS 3388, POLS 3395, POLS 4325, POLS 4388/RELI 3350, or (when applicable) POLS 4365
International Politics – POLS 3310, POLS 3315, POLS 3390, POLS 3391, POLS 4305, POLS 4310, POLS 4315, POLS 4316, POLS 4350 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Public Administration and Policy – POLS 3340, POLS 3345, POLS 4335, POLS 4345, POLS 4393 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Legal Studies – POLS 3300, POLS 3321, POLS 4320, POLS 4321, POLS 4322, POLS 4350 or (when applicable) POLS 4365
Methodology – POLS 4396, SOCI 3396, CRIJ 4322 or equivalent
Minor – At least 18 hours in a single discipline or 18 hours of guided electives to be chosen in consultation with an advisor
Five-year BA (or BS)/MA 4+1 Program
Undergraduate students in Political Science may choose this program to complete their master’s degree in one additional year. Students may choose thesis or project under this program and they are required to take 9 credits of graduate-level courses (electives) in their senior year. Students interested in this program must obtain department approval to enroll in this program. Students with a minimum GPA of 3.49 will be provisionally admitted to this program in the fall semester of their senior year, and will receive full admission to the graduate program after they complete all BA (or BS) graduation requirements. Students must obtain an average “B” grade in all the graduate-level courses taken during their senior year.