Political Science - BA
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Political Science offers a strong liberal arts curriculum aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of foreign and domestic politics, along with essential training in social science research methods, strengthening their critical thinking abilities, and enhancing students' written, verbal, and visual communications skills. In addition to requiring four semesters of a college level foreign language, the Bachelor of Arts degree plan encompasses a broad spectrum of coursework from throughout the College of Liberal Arts and Texas A&M University. By allowing for flexibility in courses that can be taken within the core curriculum, as well as for general electives, students can achieve a well-rounded education that can help with their future educational and professional goals.
Within their major area of study, students will be able to further their education in American political institutions and political behavior; international relations; comparative politics; political theory; research methodology; public policy and administration; and race and ethnic politics.
Students who graduate with a degree in Political Science have a wide spectrum of career fields to choose from. Many students will pursue careers in government, law, secondary education, higher education, business, non-profits, journalism and more.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 104 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| American history | 3 | |
| Foreign language 1 | 4 | |
| Mathematics 2 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| American history | 3 | |
| Foreign language 1 | 4 | |
| Mathematics 2 | 3 | |
| Literature directed elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 200 | Foundations of Political Science | 3 |
| Creative arts | 3 | |
| Foreign language 1 | 3 | |
| Life and physical sciences | 3 | |
| Literature directed elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 209 | Introduction to Political Science Research 3 | 3 |
| Communication | 3 | |
| Foreign language 1 | 3 | |
| Life and physical sciences | 3 | |
| Social and behavioral sciences 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to World Politics | ||
| Politics and Policy in the United States | ||
| Language, philosophy and culture | 3 | |
| Life and physical sciences | 3 | |
| Social and behavioral sciences 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to World Politics | ||
| Politics and Policy in the United States | ||
| Language, philosophy and culture or creative arts | 3 | |
| Political Science elective 5 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Political Science elective 5 | 3 | |
| Political Science elective 5 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Political Science elective 5 | 3 | |
| Political Science elective 5 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 3 | |
| General elective 4 | 1 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Complete 14 hours of a foreign language through the intermediate level. If you choose to enroll in a language you have studied previously without receiving college credit, you must first take a placement test. Select in consultation with an academic advisor. |
| 2 | At least 3 hours must be in MATH except MATH 102, MATH 150, MATH 167, STAT 201. Three hours may be PHIL 240. |
| 3 | Students must complete this course before taking more than 6 hours of 300- or 400-level courses in Political Science. |
| 4 | POLS 100-499 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. |
| 5 | Select from POLS 100-499 (except POLS 200, POLS 206, POLS 207, POLS 209, POLS 308, POLS 309). |
No more than 36 credits in political science may be applied to the degree.
A grade of C or better is required for a course to be counted in the major field.
Other courses may qualify for the college and university requirements. Student should consult the approved list of courses in the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts. No course can be counted in more than one category.
Graduation requirements include a requirement for 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. Select in consultation with an academic advisor.