Political Science BA
A degree in Political Science is the perfect choice for students who want to change the world. Our students gain knowledge about politics and policy, and develop sought-after skills--such as information-gathering and processing, analysis, research, decision making, and oral and written communication--that are transferable to many career paths after graduation. Areas of concentration include American politics, international and comparative politics, urban politics, public law, public policy and administration, and gender and politics. In addition to formal course work, internships are available in which the student can apply classroom learning and gain practical field experience.
Career Outlook
Our graduates work in a variety of settings, as lawyers in the legal system, staff for government agencies, legislatures, and political campaigns, managers of public, private and nonprofit organizations, and advocates for a wide variety of social, environmental, and economic organizations. The variety of skills students develop, coupled with internship experience, make our graduates strong candidates on the job market. Early and mid-career Political Science graduates enjoy higher average salaries than those in Business Management and other fields. Political Science is also a path to graduate school and the top major of law school applicants
General Education Requirements
Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. Political science courses may be used to satisfy the social sciences requirement. The foreign language requirement for the B.A. degree may be satisfied in any language.
Degree Requirements
All majors must complete at least 36, but no more than 51, hours of political science. All students are required to take the following core curriculum:
| Political Science | ||
| POL SCI 1100 | Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) | 3 |
| POL SCI 1500 | Introduction to Comparative Politics (MOTR POSC 202) | 3 |
| POL SCI 1800 | Introduction to International Politics (MOTR POSC 201) | 3 |
| POL SCI 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| POL SCI 4950 | Senior Seminar in Political Science | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Majors are urged to take POL SCI 1100, POL SCI 1500, and POL SCI 1800 as early as possible since these courses are designed to provide a substantive foundation as well as conceptual and analytical tools for subsequent course work. Because the seminar topics in POL SCI 4950 change from semester to semester, the course can be repeated as an elective. All majors must take at least one Seminar in Political Science.
Students also must complete at least one course in four of the following political science areas:
- Public Law (chosen from among courses listed in bulletin at the 1000, 2000, or 3000 or 4000 level)
- American Politics (chosen from among courses listed in bulletin at the 1000, 2000, or 3000 or 4000 level).
- Public Policy and Administration (chosen from among courses listed in bulletin at the 1000, 2000, or 3000 or 4000 level).
- Comparative Politics (chosen from among courses listed in bulletin at the 1000, 2000, or 3000 or 4000 level).
- International Relations (chosen from among courses listed in bulletin at the 1000, 2000, or 3000 or 4000 level).
At least 15 hours of political science course work must be at the 3000 or 4000 level, including POL SCI 4950 Senior Seminar. B.A. degree students may take a maximum of 3 hours of political science on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis; this can include any course except the required courses in the core curriculum.
Note: As early as possible, students should determine their educational objectives and consult with an adviser regarding a plan of study. Those students who are uncertain of their future plans are urged to include in their 36-45 hours of political science a broad set of courses in American politics, public policy and administration, public law, comparative politics, international politics, political theory, and methodology. In addition to this general course of study in political science, the department offers B.A. degree students several specialized programs of study in political science geared to various student academic and career interests.
Departmental Honors
The department awards honors to students having a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 in the major, an overall GPA of 3.2 (except in extraordinary circumstances), and successfully completed an honors thesis, project, or report.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Explain the history, characteristics, and impact of legal, economic, and political institutions and systems, including international, national, state, and local governance.
- Apply various methods, tools, and sources applicable to the discipline of political science to answer important policy and political questions.
- Compare and contrast different ideologies, theories, and interpretations of politics.
- Assess political issues, formulate evidence-based recommendations, and communicate them with clarity and coherence.
- Plan, execute, and defend a major research project.
Sample Four Year Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| INTDSC 10031 | 1 | POL SCI 1500 | 3 |
| POL SCI 1100 | 3 | CORE - Communication Proficiency | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | 3 | EXPLORE - Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
| CORE - Math Proficiency | 3 | EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POL SCI 1800 | 3 | POL SCI XXXX Political Science Course | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | POL SCI XXXX Political Science Course | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics & Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | Foreign Language 1002 | 5 |
| Foreign Language 1001 | 5 | Cultural Diversity Requirement | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 1 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POL SCI 3000 | 3 | POL SCI XXXX Political Science Course | 3 |
| POL SCI XXXX Political Science Course | 3 | POL SCI 3000+ level course | 3 |
| Foreign Language 2101 | 3 | ENGL 3100 | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POL SCI 3000+ level course | 3 | POL SCI 4950 | 3 |
| POL SCI XXXX Political Science Course | 3 | POL SCI 3000+ level course | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
Please Note: This plan is an example of what a four year plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester. All requirements are subject to change.
B.S. Ed. in Secondary Education with Emphasis in Social Studies
The B.S. Ed. is a professional education degree designed for students who wish to pursue a teaching career in secondary schools. Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the B.A. degree in the discipline; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification. Therefore, students interested in the B.S. Ed. should contact the advising office (OASIS) 314-516-5937 in the College of Education for discipline-specific requirements. Note: To obtain teaching certification, DESE requires a 3.0 GPA in the discipline and professional education coursework, as well as a 2.75 GPA overall.
B.A. in Political Science with Master’s Level Coursework for Secondary Teacher Certification
In addition to the B.S. Ed., students may opt to complete a B.A. degree in their discipline as an undergraduate, followed by admission to the Graduate School for Master’s level teaching certification. The College of Education has a one-year accelerated program for post-graduate certification called Teach in 12, or students can choose a traditional path to certification. Graduate coursework for certification can apply towards a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education, with additional coursework. Students interested in Master’s Level teacher certification should contact the advising office (OASIS) 314-516-5937 in the College of Education. Note: To obtain teaching certification, DESE requires a 3.0 GPA in the discipline and professional education coursework, as well as a 2.75 GPA overall.