Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Politics, Policy, and Public Service)

Website: https://twu.edu/political-science/undergraduate-programs/bachelors-degrees-in-political-science//

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (Politics, Policy, and Public Service track) provides an excellent foundation for proceeding to graduate programs in the field (M.A. and Ph.D.), to law school admission, or to careers in the public sector. Specifically, this degree provides a background for professional preparation in the following fields: library science, teaching at middle school, secondary school, or college level; work with archives; journalism; criminal justice administration; legal assistance; law school; foreign service, non-profit organizations; and administrative, federal and state civil service.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Employers want employees who can work collaboratively in groups. The B.A. in Political Science develops these skills by requiring students to work on group projects (presented in front of the instructor and peers), identify clear roles within the group (e.g., spokespersons/team leaders), and present the findings of the group in a public forum.
  2. ​Employers want employees who have solid writing and compositional skills. The B.A. in Political Science develops this skill by requiring students to engage in clear, persuasive, and grammatically and stylistically correct writing projects (research papers, policy briefs, reaction papers, memos, position papers, etc.).
  3. ​Employers want employees who have solid oral communication stills. The B.A. in Political Science develops these skills by requiring students to present their research in a public forum (that is, in front of a class of peers and the instructor) using visual aids (slides, charts, graphs, etc.) and/or to role-play in a public forum requiring extensive research on that role. 

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120   

Major: 36 SCH

Program Code: POLSCIENCE.BA  CIP Code: 45.1001.00

(The student may choose from two separate emphases. Each requires thirty semester credit hours of government.)

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major 

POLS 3173Introduction to Comparative Politics3
POLS 3303The American Legislative Process3
POLS 3723Modern Political Thought3
POLS 4533International Relations3
POLS 4813Seminar in Public Policy3
POLS 4933Senior Seminar3
Plus 18 more semester credit hours from the following courses18
Community Conversation in Sustainability
The American Presidency
Women in Politics
Law, Politics, and Public Policy
Media and Politics
Police, Policies, and Practices
Japanese Culture and Politics
The Politics of Food in America
Constitutional Law: Governmental Structure
Public Administration
Women in Leadership
Women, Elections, and Strategy
American Foreign Policy
Modern Nationalism
Global Law and Legal Systems
Comparative Government: Europe
Comparative Government: Africa and Asia
German Politics Since 1945 Through Film
Government Internship
Government Internship
*can take POLS 4803 twice for credit, but POLS 4806 only once
Political Science: Scope and Methods
Special Topics
Total SCHs36

Departmental Requirements

English Literature (2000 level or higher if not already completed)3
Foreign Language (12 SCH of the same language)12
Global Perspectives (if not already completed)3
Electives (select with academic advisor)24
Total SCHs42

Recommended Plan of Study

*The example below is only a suggestion. It is recommended to see an advisor for a personalized Plan of Study.

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: First-Year Seminar EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
Creative Arts Core3
CAO: Wellness or Mathematics Core2
Elective3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
Mathematics Core3
Elective (Global Perspectives course)3
Elective 3
 SCHs 15
Second Year
FallTCCN
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
English Literature3
Foreign Language3
Life & Physical Science Core3
Social & Behavioral Science Core3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Foreign Language3
Language, Philosophy, & Culture Core3
Life & Physical Science Core3
CAO: Women's Studies Core3
 SCHs 15
Third Year
FallTCCN
POLS 3173Introduction to Comparative Politics 3
Foreign Language3
Elective3
Elective3
POLS 4533International Relations 3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
POLS 3723Modern Political Thought 3
Foreign Language3
POLS 4813Seminar in Public Policy 3
Elective3
Elective3
 SCHs 15
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
POLS 3303The American Legislative Process 3
Political Science Elective 3
Political Science Elective3
Elective 3
Elective3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
POLS 4933Senior Seminar 3
Political Science Elective3
Political Science Elective 3
Political Science Elective3
Political Science Elective3
 SCHs 15
 Total SCHs:  120