The Bachelor of Science in Political Science provides a set of introductory courses to the discipline, followed by methodology courses, electives, and a capstone course. Students explore and analyze the many facets of American government, comparative politics, international relations, and political philosophy. With elective courses, students may choose from among a number of concentrations or follow their own curricular path.
Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.
University-Wide Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.
NUpath Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.
Introduction to College
Complete “Introduction to College” for your major.
Political Science Major Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 1150 | American Government | 4 |
| POLS 1155 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 1160 | International Relations | 4 |
| POLS 2399 | Research Methods in Political Science | 4 |
| POLS 2400 | Quantitative Techniques | 4 |
| 4 |
| Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | |
| American Political Thought | |
| Modern Political Thought | |
| Contemporary Political Thought | |
| POLS 4701 | Political Science Senior Capstone | 4 |
| or POLS 4703 | Senior Thesis |
Political Science Experiential Learning Requirement
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 4 |
| Model United Nations | |
| Model Arab League | |
| Model NATO | |
| Internship in Politics | |
| 4 |
Political Science Electives
Note: You may use four courses from the elective area to fulfill a concentration.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 32 |
Political Science Concentrations (Optional)
If you are working toward one of the following concentrations, declare it with your adviser so that it may be added to your record. Requirements for the concentrations are listed below.
Political Science Major Credit Requirement
Complete 60 semester hours in the major.
Upper-Division Electives
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 12 |
Experiential Liberal Arts
All undergraduate students in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities are required to complete the Experiential Liberal Arts Requirement.
Program Requirements
128 total semester hours required
Concentrations
Concentration in American Political Institutions
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| State and Local Politics | |
| The U.S. Congress | |
| Judicial Process and Behavior | |
| Public Policy and Administration | |
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | |
| Campaign Strategy | |
Concentration in Campaigns and Elections
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3160 | Campaign Strategy | 4 |
| POLS 3302 | Judicial Process and Behavior | 4 |
| |
| 8 |
| Urban Policies and Politics | |
| State and Local Politics | |
| Intergovernmental Relations | |
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | |
| Politics and Mass Media | |
| Presidential Nominating Process | |
Concentration in Comparative Politics
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 4 |
| Religion and Politics | |
| Nationalism | |
| Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection | |
| Politics of Developing Nations | |
| 8 |
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | |
| Government and Politics in the Middle East | |
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | |
| 4 |
| Model Arab League | |
| Model NATO | |
| Dialogue of Civilizations: Government and Politics Abroad | |
Concentration in Identity, Culture, and Politics
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3418 | Nationalism | 4 |
| 12 |
| Music and Politics in America and Abroad | |
| Religion and Politics | |
| Gender and Politics | |
| Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Public Policy | |
| Law and Society | |
Concentration in International Relations and Diplomacy
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 4 |
| Model United Nations | |
| Model Arab League | |
| Dialogue of Civilizations: International Politics Abroad | |
| 12 |
| International Political Economy | |
| International Law | |
| International Security | |
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | |
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | |
Concentration in Law and Legal Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| American Political Thought | |
| The U.S. Congress | |
| Judicial Process and Behavior | |
| Law and Society | |
| International Law | |
| Global Governance | |
| U.S. Constitutional Law | |
| U.S. Civil Liberties | |
Concentration in Public Policy
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3307 | Public Policy and Administration | 4 |
| 12 |
| Budgeting and Taxation | |
| Business and Government | |
| Urban Policies and Politics | |
| State and Local Politics | |
| Growth and Decline of Cities and Suburbs | |
| Science, Technology, and Public Policy | |
| Environmental Politics and Policy | |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | |
Concentration in Security Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| International Security | |
| U.S. National Security Policy | |
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | |
| Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection | |
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | |
| Politics of Developing Nations | |
