MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Political Science Requirements

Courses in political science are structured on three levels: introductory (numbered below 200); upper-level intermediate (300-399); and advanced (400-499). Unless otherwise specified, courses above 400 may be counted toward the department’s seminar requirements. There are four introductory courses that assume no prior background in the discipline:

  1. PLSC 111 (Introduction to American Politics),
  2. PLSC 113 (Introduction to Comparative Politics),
  3. PLSC 115 (Introduction to Ideas and Politics) and
  4. PLSC 117 (Introduction to World Politics).

These serve as prerequisites for more advanced courses but may not be required of students who have equivalent prior coursework in political science or related disciplines, including Advanced Placement credit in American Government or Comparative Politics.

Political Science BA Requirements: 

Students must complete 56 credits for the major as follows:

Ten Courses in Political Science

     - Choose three Political science courses from three different subfields’ course lists*:

                        -American Politics Courses

                        - Political Theory Courses

                        - Comparative Politics Courses

                        - International Relations Courses

            - Two 400-level Political Science Seminars taken in residence

            - Four additional upper-level courses in Political Science

            - One elective in Political Science**

Four courses complimenting Political Science in at least three other Social Science Departments

*Students pursuing the SUNY transfer path in Political Science can fulfill this requirement with PLSC 111, PLSC 113, and PLSC 117

**Students pursuing the SUNY transfer path in Political Science can fulfill this requirement with PLSC 115

Political Science: Legal Studies BA Track Requirements:

Students must complete 56 credits for the major as follows: This includes 10 courses (40 credits) in Political Science and 4 courses (16 credits) from outside the department as follows:

Ten Courses in Political Science*

     - Choose three Political science courses from three different subfields’ course lists*:

                        - American Politics Courses

                        - Political Theory Courses

                        - Comparative Politics Courses

                        - International Relations Courses

            - Two 400-level Political Science Seminars taken in residence

            - Four additional upper-level courses in Political Science

            - One elective in Political Science**

Four courses complimenting Political Science in at least three other Social Science Departments

*Seven of the ten courses must be in Legal Studies, of which, three of these must be core courses from the Legal Studies List. This overlaps with the requirements for the ten political science courses. 

Political Science: Global and International Affairs BA Track Requirements:

Students must complete 56 credits for the major as follows: This includes 10 courses (40 credits) in Political Science and 4 courses (16 credits) from outside the department as follows:

       - Choose one Political Science course in American Politics OR Political Theory

       - Four Political Science courses in International Relations, one of which must be a 400-level seminar

            - Four Political Science courses in Comparative Politics, one of which must be a 400-level seminar

            - Four additional upper-level courses in Political Science

Four courses complimenting Political Science in at least three other Social Science Departments

To Declare a Major in Political Science: Please contact the department Administrative Assistant

For more information on degree requirements please visit the University Bulletin.

For More Information