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Nov 10, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Political Science (B.A./B.S.)
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Program Coordinator/Contact
David Wiltse, Professor of Political Science
School of American and Global Studies
Lincoln Hall 327, Box 2212
605-688-6367
Program Information
The study of Political Science examines political processes, governments, and international relations. The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science prepare graduates for a career in government - at state, local and federal levels, private sectors, advocacy organizations including political parties, and non-profit agencies. It is a flexible degree that offers multiple career tracks. Many of our students successfully pursue advanced degree in law school and other graduate programs.
Course Delivery Format
The program provides courses online and face to face on campus and at various off-campus attendance centers.
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Student Learning Outcomes
Students with a major in Political Science will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, theories and methods of political science, political systems beyond the United States, and political issues facing traditionally underrepresented communities.
- Develop critical thinking skills by a) including a disciplined, skeptical outlook on the world; b) assessing multiple - and often countervailing - theoretical perspectives, and c) recognizing the difference between strong and weak arguments based on evidence.
- Understand international perspectives, a necessary prerequisite to becoming active and responsible global citizens.
- Express themselves effectively through oral and written communication. This includes framing scholarly questions and developing discipline appropriate research strategies to address them.
Academic Requirements
No grade below a “C” in political science courses may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements.
Requirements for Political Science Major: 120 Credits
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements
- Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Electives Credits: 6
- Goal #2 Oral Communication:
- Goal #3 Social Sciences:
- Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
- Goal #5 Mathematics:
- Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements
- One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
- Capstone course in the major discipline
- Upper division coursework Credits: 33
Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 6+
- Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
Bachelor of Science Requirements: 10+
- Natural Sciences Credits: 10+
- Any two lab sciences.
- Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
- MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.
System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.
Select from the following
300-400 Level Non-American POLS course. Select one of the following courses. Credits: 3
Electives
Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.
Total Required Credits: 120
Summary of Program Requirements
Bachelor of Arts
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| System General Education Requirements* |
30 Credit Hours |
| College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements** |
6+ Credit Hours |
| Major Requirements |
42 Credit Hours |
| Electives*** |
42 Credit Hours |
Bachelor of Science
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| System General Education Requirements* |
30 Credit Hours |
| College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements** |
10+ Credit Hours |
| Major Requirements |
42 Credit Hours |
| Electives*** |
44 Credit Hours |
*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements, Supporting Coursework, and College Requirements.
**System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
***Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.
Academic Advising Guide Sheet
The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.
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