Political Science, BS

University Core Curriculum Requirements

College Requirements

Political Science Major

A major in political science requires 36 hours of political science coursework, including PSCI 3300  and PSCI 4399 . GOVT 2305  and GOVT 2306  do not count toward the major.

Required Courses

• PSCI 3300 - Political Science Methods Credit(s): 3
• PSCI 4399 - Senior Seminar Credit(s): 3

Political Science Lower-Division Elective Courses

Zero to six hours from:

• GOVT 2300 - Introduction to Politics Credit(s): 3
• PSCI 2311 - Introduction to Pre-Law Credit(s): 3
• PSCI 2340 - Money and Power in World Politics Credit(s): 3

Political Science Upper-Division Elective Courses

Twenty-four to 30 hours of 3000- to 4000-level PSCI courses. Zero to six hours of 3000- to 4000-level PADM courses may be used toward the political science upper-division elective courses. GOVT 2305  and GOVT 2306  are required prerequisites for the political science upper-division elective courses.

Minor

An academic minor of at least 18 semester hours, but no more than 24 semester hours, is required with at least six advanced hours at SFA.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete general elective hours to complete the degree. Universitiy Core Curriculum co-requisite lab hours will be applied to this area of the degree.

Total Hours: 120

Double-dipping Rule

Double-dipping is using the same course to fulfill two different requirements in a degree plan. Courses can be double-dipped between the core or college requirement courses with major or minor courses. Double dipping cannot occur between major courses and minor courses. Anything beyond this must be approved by the college’s associate dean.

Writing Requirement

All students completing a degree program in the College of Liberal and Applied Arts must meet the standards for writing in the discipline set by their major. Students should see their departmental advisor for those standards.

College Advanced Hours

A minimum of 33 hours of advanced coursework (courses numbered 3000-4999) is required.

Grade Requirements

• A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
• A C average in work completed in the major field
• A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (Degree Works). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information  catalog page.