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General Department Information

The Department of Politics and Government provides students with a program that offers a broad liberal education and at the same time provides opportunities to begin a specialized concentration in one area of the discipline. The study of political science leads into careers in law and paralegal services; local, state, and federal governments and not-for-profit agencies; international public and private organizations; teaching and research; and in the private sector-especially government-related activities of business. Career information, including career-related courses offered by other departments, is available from the Department’s undergraduate and pre-law advisors. Teacher Education students fulfill Professional Education requirements through the Social Sciences program.

Interdisciplinary Minors

The Department of Politics and Government participates in a number of interdisciplinary program at the University. Coursework offered by the Department contributes to the Major in European Studies and the following minors: African-American Studies, African Studies, Civic Engagement and Responsibility Studies, Ethnic Studies, European Studies, International Studies, Latin American and Latino/a Studies, Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Urban Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. For further information on any of these minors and their advisors, please consult the Interdisciplinary Studies Programs section.

Major in Political Science

Students in the Major in Political Science must choose one of the following sequences.Ìý

Political ScienceÌýGeneral SequenceÌý

The General Sequence allows students the unique opportunity to tailor their electives to complement their career goals. Political Science majors may choose (but are not required) one of the following concentrations.

Concentrations

American Politics

Comparative Politics

International Relations

Public Law

Public Policy

Political Theory

View Political Science General Sequence Course Requirements

Political ScienceÌýAccelerated Sequence

The Accelerated Sequence is available to high-achieving students that are interested in advanced study and the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 5 years. This sequence allows students to take up to 12 hours of approved graduate courses that will count for both the undergraduate and graduate program in Politics and Government. Ìý

View Political Science Accelerated Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in Political Science

18 total credit hours required

Required courses

Take any 15 credit hours in Politics and Government

A maximum of 3 credit hours in and may count toward a Political Science minor

Note: or are not required for the minor

Major in Legal Studies

The Legal Studies curriculum is an American Bar Association approved paralegal educational program. It is designed to prepare students for a career as a paralegal in public and private law offices, corporate law departments, and government agencies. Students learn how to communicate effectively with both lawyers and laymen. When acting under an attorney’s supervision, a trained paralegal can perform many law-related tasks although they do not give legal advice to clients, set fees or represent clients in court. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

Admission to the Legal Studies major is limited and based on space availability and the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to: courses completed, cumulative GPA, hours completed, personal interview or written statement, and samples of work completed. For additional information on minimum requirements for admission, and the application process, visit the Â鶹´«Ã½¼¯ÍÅ website or contact the undergraduate advisor for the intended major.

ÌýIn order to gain admission into the Legal Studies minor, a student must have completed at least two (2) Legal Studies courses (one of which must be ); and must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 in those two Legal Studies courses. For further information contact the Department of Politics and Government.

Students in the Legal Studies major must complete one of the following sequences.Ìý

General Legal Studies Sequence

View General Legal Studies Sequence Course Requirements

Language Integration SequenceÌý

This sequence is focused on paralegal education with an emphasis on developing an awareness and sensibility to the language, culture, and issues of legal clients from targeted ethnic groups withinÌýthe community.Ìý

View Language Integration Sequence Course Requirements

Minor in Legal Studies

24 total hours required

Required courses

6 credit hours selected from the following Legal Studies specialty courses

Note: Only Legal Studies courses with a grade of C or better can count toward the minor

A maximum of 6 credits of internship can be counted toward fulfilling the Legal Studies requirements. Additional hours of internship may be taken for credit as University electives.

Students should consult the Department advisor to learn which selected studies courses may satisfy major requirements; this would include Politics and Government Senior Seminar, which counts toward fulfilling the 300-level hours requirement.