BA    Political Science (50 hours*)

The Discipline

See general description of the discipline.

Career Opportunities

Career choices open to graduates in political science include careers in law, teaching, business, journalism, the media, and libraries, as well as with interest groups and associations. In addition, majors are also placed with federal, state, and local governments and are found in elective politics. A number of these options do require additional graduate training.

Major Requirements

1. At least 27 hours of political science courses must be taken in residency at BYU (BYU Independent Study courses do not meet this requirement).

2. Pl Sc 101, 102, and 297 do not count toward the major or minor.

3. Only 6 hours of 298R and 399R combined may count toward the major.

4. No cooperative education (internship) credit from other universities or colleges will be accepted toward the major.

5. Majors are strongly encouraged to take Phil 150 to complete the GE First-Year Writing requirement.

6. Pl Sc 200 is prerequisite to all upper-division courses and must be taken no later than the sophomore year.

7. Complete the following:
   Econ 110.

   Complete two of the following foundation courses before higher-numbered courses (they do not need to be taken in order):

   Pl Sc 110, 150, 170.

   Note: Students who do not take one of these three foundation courses must take a corresponding upper-division elective course. If you do not take Pl Sc 110, you must take one course selected from Pl Sc 310–319R, 320, 321, 322, or 410. If you do not take Pl Sc 150, you must take one course selected from Pl Sc 341–349R, 350–359R, 444, or 450–458. If you do not take Pl Sc 170, you must take one course selected from Pl Sc 370–379R, 380–388, or 470–474.

   Complete one of the following foundation courses before higher-numbered courses:

   Pl Sc 202.

   Phil 202.

   Note: If students do not take Pl Sc 201 or Phil 201, they must take an upper-division elective course selected from Pl Sc 300–309, 400–409, or 322, 334, 336, 364, 374, 473.

   Complete the following methodology courses:

   Pl Sc 200, 328.

   Note: Pl Sc 200, along with a capstone seminar, fulfills the University Core Advanced Written and Oral Communication requirement.

   Complete one of the following theory courses during the junior year (note prerequisites in course descriptions):

   Pl Sc 300, 310, 330, 350, 370.

   Complete 24 additional hours of political science electives, except 400, 410, 430, 450, 470. Only one 100-level course and one 200-level course may be counted.

   Complete one of the following capstone seminars during the senior year. A completed capstone paper with at least a C– grade is required to receive a final grade in all capstone classes and fulfill the University Core Advanced Written and Oral Communication requirement (note prerequisites in course descriptions):

   Pl Sc 400, 410, 430, 450, 470.

   All students are strongly encouraged to complete an internship with one of the department's programs, such as the Washington Seminar, Utah State Legislature, or local government. Up to 6 hours of credit earned from an internship (399R) may be counted toward the major.

   Students who plan no formal education beyond the bachelor's degree should take a double major or develop adequate skills through other courses that will enhance their employment opportunities. Consult the college advisement center or department Web site.

   Students who plan to seek MA or PhD degrees are strongly encouraged to strengthen their quantitative and analytical skills. These students should consult with faculty about other skills that specific graduate programs might require.

   Students scoring a 5 on the American Government and/or Comparative Government AP exams may substitute AP credit for Pl Sc 110 or Pl Sc 150, respectively. However, they are required to take at least one upper-division elective in each subfield in which they substitute AP credit for American Government and Politics or Comparative Government and Politics.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.

Expected Learning Outcomes