This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.

Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.

Northwest Missouri State University


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.

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.)

Major in Political Science, 31 hours: BA – Minor Required
Required Courses Hours
One course from each of Core A,B,C,D 12
An additional course from 3 of the 4 Cores (A,B,C,D) 9
PolS 34-440 Early Western Political Thought OR 3
PolS 34-441       Modern Western Political Thought
PolS 34-490 Senior Seminar 1
Political Science Electives 6
Total Course Hours Required 31

Major in Political Science, 37 hours: BS – Minor Required
Required Courses Hours
One course from each of Core A,B,C,D 12
An additional course from 3 of the 4 Cores (A,B,C,D) 9
PolS 34-440 Early Western Political Thought OR 3
PolS 34-441       Modern Western Political Thought
PolS 34-490 Senior Seminar 1
Political Science Electives 12
Total Course Hours Required 37

Minor in Political Science, 24 hours
Required Courses Hours
One course from each of Core A,B,C,D 12
PolS 34-440 Early Western Political Thought OR 3
PolS 34-441       Modern Western Political Thought
Political Science Electives 9
Total Course Hours Required 24

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 34-338 Courts & the Rights of the Accused 3
Soc 35-375 Police & Society 3
Soc 35-320 Delinquency OR 3
Soc 35-421       Criminology
Psych 08-223 Abnormal Psychology OR 3
Psych 08-333       Developmental Psychology
Approved Electives 6
Total Course Hours Required 24
 
Core Requirement Courses Hours
Core A - AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & 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 News Media & Politics 3
PolS 34-502 Public Policy 3
Core B - COMPARATIVE POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PolS 34-310 Comparative Government 3
PolS 34-421 International Conflict Resolution 3
PolS 34-425 Transnational Politics 3
Core C - PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PolS 34-203 State & Local Politics 3
PolS 34-332 Principles of Public Administration 3
PolS 34-434 Modern Organizational Theory 3
PolS 34-439 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations 3
Core D - LAW & COURTS
PolS 34-340 Law & Politics 3
PolS 34-436 Constitutional Law 3
PolS 34-438 Civil Liberties 3
Other Courses Offered:
PolS 34-305 Global Events & Trends 3
PolS 34-345 Women & American Politics 3
PolS 34-365 Africa in Popular Media 3
PolS 34-511 Special Topics 3