Law and Constitutional Studies - BA, BS

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

About This Degree

The program is intended to introduce students to the study of law and politics, with an emphasis on the American Constitution. The program focuses on how constitutional rules affect political and economic processes. Students study the theory, history, economics, and development of constitutional thought. They also learn about natural and civil rights, a market economy, a self-governing citizenry, voluntary associations, and the rule of law.

Through an intensive program of constitutional study, this major equips students with the intellectual tools and understanding of constitutional principles necessary to enter graduate study or law school, as well as a variety of other professions.

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

For more information about Law and Constitutional Studies, see the Department of Political Science website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an academic advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is Quantitative Literacy (QL) course of the student’s choice.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree 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 3.0 USU GPA and a 3.0 Career GPA

Additional Information

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 one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent) OR
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.

Note:

Students may count up to 6 credit hours toward the Law and Constitutional Studies major that were also taken in pursuit of another major or minor.
For detailed information about requirements for the Law and Constitutional Studies major, see the major requirement sheet, which can be obtained from the Political Science Department.

Law and Constitutional Studies Pre-Major Requirements

Students who wish to become Law and Constitutional Studies majors must apply for admission after completing the department’s pre-major program. New freshmen in good standing are eligible to declare the pre-major. Continuing students and transfer students with a 3.0 GPA are eligible to declare the pre-major. When the pre-major courses are completed with a GPA of 3.0, the student will be able to declare the Law and Constitutional Studies major. A student must be declared as a Law and Constitutional Studies major in order to apply for graduation.

ENGL 2010 - Research and Argument Across Perspectives (CL2) 3 credit(s)
POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Theory (BHU) 3 credit(s)
Quantitative Literacy (QL) Course (3-4 credits)

Major Requirements (36 credits)

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 3.0 in major courses; 3.0 USU; 3.0 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.

A. Required Courses (21 credits)

POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Theory (BHU) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3120 - Law and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4120 - American Constitutional Law 3 credit(s)
Choose one of the following:
POLS 5130 - Law and Policy 3 credit(s)
POLS 5140 - Law, Politics, and War 3 credit(s)
Choose two of the following:
POLS 3310 - American Political Thought (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3320 - The Foundations of American Constitutionalism 3 credit(s)
POLS 4130 - Constitutional Theory 3 credit(s)
POLS 4140 - Political Organizations 3 credit(s)
POLS 3170 - Law and Economics 3 credit(s)
POLS 4800 - Constitutional Design 3 credit(s)
Note: Advanced Placement U.S. Government is approved for the POLS 1100 requirement.

B. Course Sequencing

Law and Constitutional Studies majors are required to complete POLS 1100 as a prerequisite to all 3000-and 4000-level Political Science courses. It is advised that Law and Constitutional Studies majors take POLS 3120 prior to POLS 4120 , POLS 4130 , POLS 5130 , or POLS 5140 .

C. Area Requirements (6 credits minimum)

Students must take a minimum of six upper-division credits in U.S. Government and Policy in addition to courses required for this major.

D. Electives (9 credits)

Any Political Science upper-division courses can be used to complete the major and fulfill this requirement, with two exceptions:

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

POLS 5900 - Government and Policy Internship Seminar 3 credit(s)
POLS 5910 - Campaign Internship 1-12 credit(s)
POLS 5920 - Washington Internship 1-9 credit(s)
POLS 5930 - State Government Internship 1-9 credit(s)
POLS 5940 - Administrative Internship 1-9 credit(s)
POLS 5950 - International Internship 1-9 credit(s)

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 - Law and Constitutional Studies BA, BS

Law and Constitutional Studies BA, BS - 4 Year Degree Map