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Political science enjoys a central position among the social sciences. Aristotle characterized politics as the “queen of the sciences.” It is a broad discipline that encompasses philosophical, historical and analytical studies of governments, politics and policies. Political science students learn not only the concepts, theories and methods associated with the discipline, but also gain the cognitive and presentational skills required of tomorrow’s public and private leaders. At its core, politics is about building and maintaining communities at the local, state, national and international levels that enable citizens to live enriching and fulfilling lives. Political science students develop not only an understanding of those communities, but also the ability to influence them.
Total Program Credits: 120
| General Education Requirements: | 35 Credits | ||
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 | |
| or | ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Context (5) | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Writing Academic Writing and Research | 3 | |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
| MAT 1030 | Quantitative Reasoning (3) (recommended) | ||
| MAT 1035 | Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra (6) (recommended) | ||
| STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics (3) | ||
| STAT 1045 | Introduction to Statistics with Algebra (5) | ||
| MATH 1050 | College Algebra (4) (recommended for business, Education, Science, and Health Professions majors) | ||
| MATH 1055 | College Algebra with Preliminaries (5) | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
| HIST 1700 | American Civilization (3) | ||
| HIST 2700 | US History to 1877 (3) | ||
| and | HIST 2710 | US History since 1877 (3) | |
| HIST 1740 | US Economic History (3) | ||
| POLS 1000 | American Heritage (3) | ||
| Complete the following: | |||
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics and Values | 3 | |
| HLTH 1100 | Personal Health and Wellness (2) | ||
| or | EXSC 1097 | Fitness for Life | 2 |
| Distribution Courses: | |||
| Biology | 3 | ||
| Physical Science | 3 | ||
| Additional Biology or Physical Science | 3 | ||
| Humanities | 3 | ||
| Fine Arts | 3 | ||
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
| Discipline Core Requirements: | 30 Credits | ||
| POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 | |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 | |
| POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 | |
| POLS 230G | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 | |
| POLS 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 | |
| POLS 4990 | Senior Seminar WE (3) | ||
| or | POLS 480R | Internship WE | 3 |
| or | PJST 4900 | Peace and Justice Studies Capstone (3) | |
| Quantitative Requirement | |||
| POLS 3010 | Political Analysis II | 3 | |
| Complete 9 credits from the following courses: | 9 | ||
| POLS 3020 | Public Program Analysis (3) | ||
| POLS 3040 | Survey Research and Design Methods (3) | ||
| POLS 3050 | Experimental Methods in Political Science (3) | ||
| POLS 3060 | Qualitative Analysis (3) | ||
| POLS 3070 | Policy Analysis (3) | ||
| Elective Requirements: | 25 Credits | ||
| Any courses numbered 1000 or higher (3 credit hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level courses) | 25 | ||
| Emphasis Requirements: | 30 Credits | ||
| POLS 3300 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 | |
| POLS 3310 | Introduction to Public Policy WE | 3 | |
| Complete 12 credits from the followings courses: | 12 | ||
| AIST 3590 | American Indian Law (3) | ||
| AIST 3600 | American Indian Policy and Tribal Government (3) | ||
| ECON 2010 | Principles of Economics I (3) | ||
| ECON 2020 | Principles of Economics II (3) | ||
| ECON 4150 | Public Finance (3) | ||
| HR 3430 | Introduction to Human Resource Management (3) | ||
| POLS 3020 | Public Program Analysis (3) | ||
| POLS 3030 | State and Local Government (3) | ||
| POLS 3070 | Policy Analysis (3) | ||
| POLS 3320 | Nonprofits and The Public Sector (3) | ||
| POLS 3340 | Public Innovation (3) | ||
| POLS 3350 | Health Politics and Policy (3) | ||
| POLS 3370 | Leading Cities (3) | ||
| POLS 3380 | Local Economic Development (3) | ||
| POLS 3390 | Urban Planning (3) | ||
| POLS 420R | Issues and Topics in Political Science (3) | ||
| POLS 490R | Independent Study (1-4) | ||
| Complete any 12 elective credits (at least 4 credits must be upper division) | 12 | ||
Graduation Requirements:
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
Milestone courses (pre-requisites for a course in one of the subsequent semesters) are marked in red and Italicized.
| Semester 1 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing or Literacies and Composition Across Context | 3 |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 |
| HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 | Personal Health & Wellness or Fitness for Life | 2 |
| Fine Arts | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Writing/Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| MAT 1030 |
Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Humanities | Choose from list | 3 |
| American Institutions | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics & Values | 3 |
| Biological Science | Choose from list | 3 |
| Physical Science | Choose from list | 3 |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 230G | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Biological / Physical Science | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 3310 | Introduction to Public Policy WE | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 5 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| POLS 3250 | Introduction to Law and Politicis | 3 |
| POLS 3300 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| Upper-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| Lower-Div. Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Quantitative Requirements | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 3010 | Politicial Analysis II | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div. Elective | Chooose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 7 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Quantitative Requirements | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Quantitative Requirements | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 480R/4990 | Internship WE or Senior Seminar WE | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 4 |
| Semester total: | 13 | |
| Degree total: | 120 |
The History and Political Science department is in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. To find the most up-to-date information, including Program Learning Outcomes for degree programs offered by the History and Political Science department, visit their website.
