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Northwest Missouri State University


Political Science

Political Science

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science introduce the student to the decision-making processes that guide, direct, and determine a society's behavior. Courses focus on the politics and administration of government and the factors involved in the competition for political power. The Political Science program prepares students for a number of careers as well as advanced study in law, municipal planning, city management, urban affairs, education and public policy analysis. The B.S. degree has more requirements in the sciences, while the B.A. has more requirements in the liberal arts. Both majors require a minor of study.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Administration prepares the student for a career in local, state, or national governments as well as nonprofit organizations. Like the political science major, Public Administration requires a minor. Majors are required to intern at a government agency on the local, state, or national level or at a nonprofit organization.

Advanced Standing Requirement

All political science majors wishing to apply for advanced standing must have completed the General Education requirement for political science (PolS 34-102).

Participation in the Assessment Program

Graduating seniors are expected to take the ACAT, Political Science exam as part of the University's exit assessment program. Students interested in Graduate School should take the GRE exam; those interested in law school should take the LSAT. (A practice LSAT is available within the department.)

Core Requirement Courses Hours
Core A - American Government and Politics
PolS 34-301 Parties and Interest Groups 3
PolS 34-302 The American Presidency 3
PolS 34-303 The American Congress 3
PolS 34-401 Public Opinion, the News Media and Politics 3
PolS 34-438 Civil Liberties 3
Core B - Comparative Politics and International Relations
PolS 34-310 Comparative Government 3
PolS 34-421 International Relations 3
PolS 34-510 Comparative Political Systems 3
PolS 34-525 Transnational Politic 3
Core C - Public Administration and Urban Affairs
PolS 34-203 State and Local Government 3
PolS 34-332 Principles of Public Administration 3
PolS 34-434 Modern Organizational Theory 3
PolS 34-439 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations 3
PolS 34-502 Public Policy 3
Core D - Normative and Empirical Theory
PolS 34-436 Constitutional Law 3
PolS 34-440 Early Western Political Thought 3
PolS 34-441 Modern Western Political Thought 3

Major in Political Science

31 hours: B.A. Degree (minor required)

Required Courses Hours
Two courses from each of Core A, B, C, D 24
PolS 34-490 Senior Seminar 1
Political Science Electives 12

Major in Political Science

37 hours: B.S. Degree (minor required)

 

Required Courses Hours
Two courses from each of Core A, B, C, D 24
PolS 34-490 Senior Seminar 1
Political Science Electives 3


Major in Public Administration

37 hours: B.S. Degree (minor required)

 

Required Courses Hours
PolS 34-203 State and Local Government 3
PolS 34-439 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations 3
PolS 34-502 Public Policy 3
PolS 34-332 Principles of Public Administration 3
PolS 34-434 Modern Organizational Theory 3
PolS 34-490 Senior Seminar 1
PolS 34-495
Field Problem in Public Administration
(Credit depending upon nature of problem undertaken)		 3-8
Political Science Electives 9
Electives 4-9


Minors

Minor in Political Science, 24 hours

 

Required Courses Hours
One course from each of Core A, B, C, D 12
Political Science Electives 12


Minor in Public Administration, 24 hours

Required Courses Hours
PolS 34-203 State and Local Government 3
PolS 34-439 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations 3
PolS 34-502 Public Policy
PolS 34-332 Principles of Public Administration 3
PolS 34-434 Modern Organizational Theory 3
Political Science Electives 6
Approved Electives 3

Minor in Criminal Justice, 24 hours

 

Required Courses Hours
PolS 34-205 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
PolS 34-315 Juvenile Justice System in America 3
PolS 34-438 Civil Liberties 3
Soc 35-320 Delinquency OR 3
Soc 35-421 Criminology
PolS 34-325 American Legal System 3
Psych 08-223 Abnormal Psychology OR 3
Psych 08-333 Developmental Psychology
Approved Electives 6


Minor in Economic Development, 24 hours

 

Required Courses Hours
PolS 34-203 State and Local Government 3
PolS 34-439 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations 3
PolS 34-502 Public Policy 3
PolS 34-355 Economic Development 3
Econ 52-151 General Economics II 3
Geog 32-221 Economic Geography 3
Choose 6 hours of electives from the following: 6
Soc 35-316 Urban Sociology 3
Econ 52-351 Macroeconomic Theory 3
PolS 34-332 Principles of Public Administration 3
Mkt 55-330 Principles of Marketing 3
Geog 32-522 Urban Geography 3
Geog 27-515 Environmental Regulation 2
PolS 34-311 Practicum in Political Science 1
Note: Up to four Internship hours can be used as electives with advisor approval.


Minor in International Studies, 24 hours

 

Required Courses Hours
Modern Language
(Minimum of 3 hours must be 200-level or above; all 6 ours must be in the same language)		 6
**Regional Geography Course
Choose two courses from the following:
Geog 32-340 Geography of North America 3
Geog 32-441 Geography of Europe 3
Geog 32-442 Geography of Asia 3
Geog 32-444 Geography of Africa 3
Geog 32-445 Geography of Latin America 3
PolS 34-310 Comparative Government 3
**Non-Western History Course
Choose two courses from the following:
Hist 33-370 History of the Near and Middle East 3
Hist 33-375 History of Latin America 3
Hist 33-385 Modern Japan: Rise, Disaster and Rebirth 3
Hist 33-580 Modern China: The Road to Revolution 3
*PolS 34-103 Introduction to Political Economy OR 3
Econ 52-103 Introduction to Political Economy
Electives
Choose two courses from the following:		 6
Art 13-399 International Studies in Studio 3
Geog 32-521 Political Geography 3
PolS 34-421 International Relations 3
PolS 34-525 Transnational Politics 3
Econ 52-355 Economic Development 3
Econ 52-450 International Economics 3
Mkt 55-438 International Business 3
Advisor approved courses

*Cannot be used to fulfill any General Education requirement.

**Elective sequences should be chosen in consultation with the International Studies advisor.