Bachelor of Science, Major in Political Science
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science, Major in Political Science | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) 1 | 3 | |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| Natural Sciences | 8 | |
| Math or Natural Science 2 | 3-4 | |
| PHIL 2303 | Critical Thinking (Or MATH) | 3 |
| Major: Foundation | ||
| COMS or THEA | 3 | |
| Computer Science | 3 | |
| POLS 3374 & POLS 3379 | Quantitative Methd for Pol Sci and Research & Writing in Pol Sci | 6 |
| Political Theory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| Ideologies and Democracy | ||
| Survey of Political Theory | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| International Relations/Comparative Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cent & Eastern European Politi | ||
| Intro to Comparative Politics | ||
| Asian Politics | ||
| Religion and Politics | ||
| Western European Politics | ||
| Politics of The Middle East | ||
| Intro International Relations | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| International Law & Org | ||
| International Political Econ | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| International Human Rights | ||
| Conflict Studies | ||
| Political Violence & Terrorism | ||
| American Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Local Political Systems | ||
| State Political Systems | ||
| Judicial Systems | ||
| Pol Ethnic Minorities & Gender | ||
| The Presidency and Executives | ||
| The Congress and Legislatures | ||
| Political Parties-Interest Grp | ||
| Politics and The Media | ||
| Const Law I:Civ Rights& Librts | ||
| Const Law II:Gov Pwr/St-Fed Rl | ||
| Political Attitudes & Behavior | ||
| Major: Prescribed Electives | ||
| POLS Electives (at least 12 hours must be advanced) 3 | 15 | |
| Electives: Advanced | ||
| Advanced Electives | 9 | |
| Minor: Required 4 | ||
| Minor | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
- 2
The Plan of Study suggests 4 credits. Three (3) credits will fulfill the DSR for the degree, but students will need to take an additional course to meet the 120-credit hour minimum.
- 3
POLS 2304 is recommended.
- 4
The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Political Science.
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
Additional Requirements:
- No grade below a C in a Political Science course will count toward the major.
- Students must have 42 advanced hours; at least 15 hours of POLS must be advanced.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area II1 | 3 | Component Area III | 4 |
| Component Area III | 4 | Component Area V | 3 |
| Component Area VII | 3 | Component Area VII | 3 |
| ENGL 13012 | 3 | ENGL 13022 | 3 |
| HIST 13013 | 3 | HIST 13023 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IV | 3 | Component Area IX | 3 |
| Component Area VIII | 3 | Component Area IX | 1 |
| Math or PHIL 2303 | 3 | Math or Natural Science | 4 |
| Natural Sciences | 4 | Natural Sciences | 4 |
| POLS Electives 4 | 3 | POLS 3379 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Advanced Electives | 3 | Computer Science | 3 |
| COMS or THEA | 3 | Minor5 | 3 |
| Minor5 | 3 | Minor5 | 3 |
| POLS 3377, 3378, 3372, or 3373 | 3 | POLS 3374 | 3 |
| POLS (International Relations/Comparative Politics)6 | 3 | POLS (American Politics)7 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Advanced Electives | 3 | Advanced Electives | 3 |
| Minor5 | 3 | Minor5 | 3 |
| Minor5 | 3 | POLS Electives | 3 |
| POLS Electives | 3 | POLS Electives | 3 |
| POLS Electives | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
- 2
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).
- 3
Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).
- 4
POLS 2304 is recommended.
- 5
The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Political Science.
- 6
See International Relations/Comparative Politics course listing below (select one).
- 7
See American Politics course listing below (select one).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations/Comparative Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| POLS 3361 | Cent & Eastern European Politi | 3 |
| POLS 3365 | Intro to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3368 | Asian Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3369 | Religion and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3370 | Western European Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3375 | Politics of The Middle East | 3 |
| POLS 3380 | Intro International Relations | 3 |
| POLS 3381 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLS 3385 | International Law & Org | 3 |
| POLS 3386 | International Political Econ | 3 |
| POLS 3387 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4383 | International Human Rights | 3 |
| POLS 4384 | Conflict Studies | 3 |
| POLS 4385 | Political Violence & Terrorism | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| American Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| POLS 3331 | Local Political Systems | 3 |
| POLS 3332 | State Political Systems | 3 |
| POLS 3334 | Judicial Systems | 3 |
| POLS 3335 | Pol Ethnic Minorities & Gender | 3 |
| POLS 3336 | The Presidency and Executives | 3 |
| POLS 3337 | The Congress and Legislatures | 3 |
| POLS 3360 | Political Parties-Interest Grp | 3 |
| POLS 3364 | Politics and The Media | 3 |
| POLS 4334 | Const Law I:Civ Rights& Librts | 3 |
| POLS 4335 | Const Law II:Gov Pwr/St-Fed Rl | 3 |
| POLS 4372 | Political Attitudes & Behavior | 3 |
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
Additional Requirements:
- No grade below a C in a Political Science course will count toward the major.
- Students must have 42 advanced hours; at least 15 hours of POLS must be advanced.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The BS in Political Science is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Analytical, writing, speaking, interpersonal, and professional skills.
- Work as effective members of a team.
- Utilize technology to solve problems and accomplish goals.
- Prepare students for professional careers in the 21st century.
- Prepare students to make meaningful contributions to local, state, national, and global communities.
