Political Science and Human Services, BA

The BA Political Science and Human Services program seeks to prepare students with skills and tools to advocate for social issues at all levels of society. Human services program students are well positioned to pursue fields in the social change arena (nongovernment organizations, or NGOS; counseling; and political advocacy). Political science students are also well positioned to change and shape the domestic and international political landscape in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy. Students engage in an integrated educational program that emphasizes experiential approaches to learning through service-learning, co-op, internship, and study-abroad opportunities. Upon completion of the degree, students can apply professional skills in counseling roles, nonprofit management, political advocacy, or organizational and community development. The program is designed to prepare students to pursue admission to law school, admission to graduate school, or careers in government and the nonprofit sector, as well as careers in teaching, journalism, legislative or lobbying positions, public relations activities, and work in international corporations and NGOs.

• Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality. 
• Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality. 

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.

Universitywide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.

BA Language Requirements

All BA students are required to complete the BA degree language requirements, for a total of 12 semester hours of language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency, as described in Additional Requirements for BA students. Successful demonstration of proficiency does not reduce total minimum semester hours of study required to earn the BA degree.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Political Science Requirements

Political Science Concentrations (Optional)

If you are working toward one of the following concentrations, declare it with your advisor so that it may be added to your record. 

• American Political Institutions
• Campaigns and Elections
• Comparative Politics
• Identity, Culture, and Politics
• International Relations and Diplomacy
• Law and Legal Studies
• Public Policy
• Security Studies

Supporting Course for Political Science

Human Services Requirements

Integrative Requirements

Political Science and Human Services Combined Major Credit Requirement

Complete 86 semester hours in the major.

Experiential Liberal Arts

All students in this College of Social Sciences and Humanities program are required to complete the Experiential Liberal Arts Requirement.

Program Requirement

128 total semester hours required

Concentrations

Concentration in American Political Institutions

Concentration in Campaigns and Elections

Concentration in Comparative Politics

Concentration in Identity, Culture, and Politics 

Concentration in International Relations and Diplomacy

Concentration in Law and Legal Studies

Concentration in Public Policy

Concentration in Security Studies

Sample Plan of Study