A. Complete all of the following (15 credits)

• ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2) 3
• POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 3
• POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Politics 3
• POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Theory 3

•  

• STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) 3 or
• MATH 1030 - Quantitative Reasoning (QL) 3 or
• MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) 4

• Other courses may be applied to the pre-major but only upon approval of the Political Science Department

   

  Notes: Advanced Placement US Government is not used for the POLS 1100  requirement, and Advanced Placement Comparative Politics is not used for the POLS 2200  requirement. Credits taken for Political Science Major or Minor Requirements may not be used to fulfull requirements of other majors and minors without departmental approval.

B. Complete Two additional General Education courses (6 credits) chosen with undergraduate advisor:

In an effort to support essential learning outcomes, it is recommended that the student follow the general education program contained in the Preparing for Degrees, Careers and Lives: Pathways to General Education pamphlet developed by the College of Humanitites and Social Sciences.

Careful selection of general education classes can enhance a student’s undergraduate experience. The following are examples of recommendations to help students enhance their experience in the social sciences and foster critical and creative thinking skills of inquiry, analysis, and evaluation.

For example:

Students who wish to emphasize US Government and policy analysis in their curriculum are encouraged to consider:

• ECN 1500 - Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI) 
• ECN 2010 - Introduction to Microeconomics (BSS) 

Law school candidates:

• PHIL 1250 - Practical Logic (BHU) 
• PHIL 2200 - Deductive Logic (QI) 

Interest in environmental policy issues:

• WATS 1200 - Biodiversity and Sustainability (BLS) 
• WILD 2200 - Ecology of Our Changing World (BLS) 

International relations and Foreign Service:

• CMST 2110 - Interpersonal Communication (BHU/HR) 
• Bachelor of Art-foreign language

Those with an emphasis in political theory:

• HIST 1100 - Foundations of Western Civilization: Ancient and Medieval (BHU) 
• HIST 1110 - Foundations of Western Civilization: Modern (BHU) 
• PHIL 1120 - Social Ethics (BHU) 

Political Science Major Requirements (36 credits)

Completion of Pre-major with a 2.5
Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, USU; 2.5, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.5, USU; 2.5, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: C- in major courses

A. Total credits in Political Science Courses: 36

B. Overall GPA: 2.5

C. Average GPA in Political Science Courses: 2.50

D. Required Courses (15 credits)

• From Pre Major:

• POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 3

•  

• POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Politics 3 or
• POLS 2200 - Comparative Politics (BSS) 3

•  

• POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Theory 3

• For Major:

• POLS 3000 - Introduction to Political Research (QI) 3 ¹
• POLS 4990 - Senior Research Seminar (CI) 3 ¹

E. 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.

F. 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:

• POLS 5900 - Government and Policy Internship Seminar 3 (The P/F credits for POLS 5900  will count toward the major. They are the only exception)
• POLS 5910 - Campaign Internship 1-12
• POLS 5920 - Washington Internship 1-12
• POLS 5930 - State Government Internship 1-12
• POLS 5940 - Administrative Internship 1-12
• POLS 5950 - International Internship 1-12

Note:

¹ POLS 3000  must be taken before POLS 4990 .

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