Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Concentration in Professional Politics

Program Overview

This Political Science program with a Professional Politics concentration prepares students for careers in politics, public policy, and nonprofit management. The curriculum includes core coursework in political science, as well as specialized courses in campaign management, public opinion, and political institutions. Students also have the opportunity to complete an internship and take elective courses in related fields such as nonprofit management and community development.

Program Outline

Outline:

Curriculum Guide

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

• Modern Language Requirement: 0-9 credits
• Basic Math Requirement: 0-3 credits
• Computer Competency: 0-3 credits
• Total Hours: 42

Major Requirements

Political Science Core Coursework

• POLS 101: American National Government (3 credits)
• POLS 103: International Relations (3 credits)
• POLS 255: Introduction to Public Policy (3 credits)
• POLS 263: Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
• POLS 310: Political Science Research Toolkit (3 credits)
• POLS 444: Applied Political Analysis (3 credits)

Professional Politics Concentration Required Coursework

Required Courses

• POLS 200: State and Local Government (3 credits)
• POLS 301: Organized Political Action (3 credits)
• POLS 328: Assessing Public Opinion (3 credits)
• POLS 372: Campaign Management & Strategy (3 credits)

Political Institutions (3 credits)

• POLS 223: Law and Courts (1 credit)
• POLS 321: The Presidency (1 credit)
• POLS 325: The Congress (1 credit)

Professional Politics-Related Electives (6 credits)

• POLS 303: Seminar in Democracy (1 credit)
• POLS 329: Political Learning (1 credit)
• POLS 450: Internship (1 credit)
• NLPA 120: Civic Engagement and Community Decision-Making (1 credit)
• NLPA 220: Introduction to Nonprofit Management (1 credit)
• NLPA 320: Community Change and Development (1 credit)

Total Hours: 39

Recommended Four-Year Plan

First Year

• Fall (16 hours)
• POLS 101 (3 credits)
• POLS 255 or POLS 263 (3 credits)
• ENGL 102 (3 credits)
• ESAP 101 (1 credit)
• MODL 1XX (3 credits)
• SUBJ 139 (3 credits)
• Spring (15 hours)
• POLS 103 (3 credits)
• MATH 117 (3 credits)
• MODL 1XX (3 credits)
• ENGL 104 (3 credits)
• Select one of the following (3 credits):
• COMM 200
• PHIL 110
• POLS 235

Second Year

• Fall (15 hours)
• POLS 255 or POLS 263 (3 credits)
• POLS XXX (Concentration Requirement) (3 credits)
• MODL 1XX (3 credits)
• Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry (3 credits)
• Social Science Inquiry (3 credits)
• Spring (15 hours)
• POLS XXX (Concentration Requirement) (3 credits)
• POLS XXX (Concentration Requirement) (3 credits)
• Humanities Inquiry (3 credits)
• Thematic Thread Requirement (3 credits)
• Elective/Minor/Certificate/Second Major (3 credits)

Third Year

• Fall (15 hours)
• POLS XXX (Concentration Requirement) (3 credits)
• POLS XXX (Concentration Requirement) (3 credits)
• SCI 101 (3 credits)
• Elective/Minor/Certificate/Second Major (3 credits)
• Thematic Thread Requirement (3 credits)
• Spring (15 hours)
• POLS 310 (3 credits)
• POLS XXX (Concentration Requirement) (3 credits)
• Thematic Thread Requirement (3 credits)
• SCI 102 (3 credits)
• Elective/Minor/Certificate/Second Major (3 credits)

Fourth Year

• Fall (15 hours)
• POLS 444 (3 credits)
• POLS XXX (Concentration Requirement) (3 credits)
• Thematic Thread Requirement (3 credits)
• Free/Minor/Certificate/Second Major (6 credits)
• Spring (15 hours)
• Free/Minor/Certificate/Second Major (12 credits)