Political Science (POLS) Major

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Requirements for Political Science Major

Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Sciences

System General Education Requirements*: 30

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
, and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: (except POLS) 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences Credits: 6

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 8-9

Goal #1 Land and Natural Resource Stewardship Credits: 3
Goal #2 Personal Wellness Credits: 2-3
Goal #3 Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness Credits: (except POLS) 3

College Requirements: 5-16

See the College of Arts and Sciences for additional information.

Modern Language Credits: (proficiency at the 202 level) 3-14
Social Sciences Credits: 2

Major Requirements: 36

Comparative or International Requirement (see note one) Credits: 6
POLS Elective (21 must be Upper Division) Credits: 24

POLS 100 - American Government * ** (COM) Credits: 3
POLS 461 - Early Political Philosophy (COM) (AW) Credits: 3
or
POLS 462 - Modern Political Philosophy (COM) (AW) Credits: 3

Electives: 37-49

POLS 253
(G) , or other globalization requirement Credits: 3
General Elective Credits: 34-46

Total Required Credits: 128

Requirements for Political Science Major

Bachelor of Science in Arts and Sciences

System General Education Requirements*: 30

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
, and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: (except POLS) 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences Credits (see note two): 6

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 8-9

Goal #1 Land and Natural Resource Stewardship Credits: 3
Goal #2 Personal Wellness Credits: 2-3
Goal #3 Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness Credits: (except POLS) 3

College Requirements: 20

See the College of Arts and Sciences for additional information.

Natural Sciences Credits: 8
Humanties Credits: 6
Social Sciences Credits: (except POLS) 6

Major Requirements: 36

Comparative or International Requirement Credits: (see note one) 6
POLS Electives (21 must be Upper Division) Credits: 24

POLS 100 - American Government * ** (COM) Credits: 3
POLS 461 - Early Political Philosophy (COM) (AW) Credits: 3
or
POLS 462 - Modern Political Philosophy (COM) (AW) Credits: 3

Electives: 33-34

POLS 253
(G) , or other globalization requirement Credits: 3
General Electives Credits: 30-31

Total Required Credits: 128

Notes:

Graduate School Emphasis (Students who complete MATH 123 or MATH 121 may apply a total of 6 credits from CSC 205, STAT 281, SOC 307 and 308 toward the required 36 POLS credits.)

Note one: For the Comparative or International Requirement, choose from among POLS 165, 253, 341, 343, 347, 350, 352, 417, 454.

Note two: The B.S. in Arts and Science requires six credits of biological science and eight credits of physical science. Six of the combined 14 credits must be from the SGR, and two credits must be from IGR Goal 1. The B.A. in Arts and Science requires a total of eight credits of natural science. Six credits must be from SGR Natural Science and two credits must be from the IGR Goal 1.

Curriculum Notes:

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.