May 09, 2024  
2024-2025 General Catalog 
  
2024-2025 General Catalog

Political Science - BA, BS


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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

About This Degree

Political science is the study of government, public policies, political processes, and political behavior. The department is committed to encouraging students to reflect on the political demands that will inevitably fall on them as citizens of the U.S. and as human beings.

As political science majors at USU, students will gain a theoretical and factual understanding of international and national governments, politics and political philosophies. Through discussion-based classroom experiences and research experiences, students will be able to gain hands-on experience interacting with the tenets of government functions and duties. Students will learn to reflect on their role in society and communicate those expectations clearly.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Minimum University Requirements


Admission Requirements For This Program


  • New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
  • Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.5 GPA Overall and 2.5 at USU.

Additional Information


Bachelor of Science Degree

Students desiring a (BS) Bachelor of Science degree must complete all requirements listed in the core requirements below.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

In addition to completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requirements, students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must also complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:

  • Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920 ) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780 ), and by passing an exit interview OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent) OR
  • Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

  • Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students OR TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

Major Requirements (36 credits)


Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.5, USU; 2.5, Career

Minimum Grade Accepted: C- in major courses

Please note that none of the courses can be taken pass/fail; all Political Science courses must be taken for a letter grade. Also, all courses must be attended in their entirety.

Students may count up to 6 credit hours toward the Political Science major that were also taken in pursuit of another major or minor.

Note:


1POLS 3000  must be taken before POLS 4990 .

B. Area Requirements (15 credits minimum)


Select two of the following four areas: U.S. Government and Policy, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory. Complete nine upper-division credits in one of the selected areas and six upper-division credits in the other. Even though a course may be listed under more than one area, it can be applied to only one area. Prior to taking the upper-division courses in a particular area, students must take the introductory course corresponding to that specific area.

4. Political Theory


Note: POLS 1100  and POLS 2300  must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

Note:


2The subject matter of POLS 4890  determines the area to which it applies.

C. Electives (6 credits)


In addition to the 15 credits of required prerequisite courses and the 15 credits of area courses, students must complete six upper-division elective credits. Any upper-division Political Science courses may be used to fulfill this requirement, with two exceptions:

  1. Not more than three credits in Directed Readings courses (POLS 4910) can apply to this requirement.
  2. Not more than three credits in the following courses can apply to this requirement:

Open Electives


Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120


Suggested Degree Map - Political Science BA, BS


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