Political Science Four-Year Academic Plan
120 credit hours are required for Bachelor of Arts degree. The Political Science major consists of courses in all major sub fields of the discipline: U.S. government, international relations, comparative politics, and political philosophy. Detailed information about all Political Science courses can be found in the academic catalog. Students are encouraged to consider internship opportunities sponsored by the department. Students should use Academic Planning on the mySXU portal to schedule courses and track degree progress.
Suggested four year academic plan for the major (courses required in the major are in bold)
Please consult with your academic advisor prior to course selection.
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 120: Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| PHIL 140: The Examined Life | 3 |
| HIST 101: World History to 1500 | 3 |
| POLSC 101: U.S. Government | 3 |
| GE Fine Arts | 3 |
| TS 100: Transitions | 1 |
| Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| COMM 101: Speech Fundamentals | 3 |
| FYS 175: First Year Seminar | 3 |
| HIST 102: World History Since 1500 | 3 |
| POLSC 102: World Politics | 3 |
| MATH 135: Statistics | 4 |
| Semester 3 | Credit Hours |
| POLSC 240: Political Theory | 3 |
| POLSC 103: Intro to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| GE Biological Science with lab* | 3 |
| GE Literature | 3 |
| GE Religious Studies | 3 |
| Semester 4 | Credit Hours |
| POLSC 250: Scope and Methods | 3 |
| POLSC Elective | 3 |
| GE Physical Science with lab* | 3 |
| GE Social Science (different discipline) | 3 |
| GE Philosophy 200 level | 3 |
| Semester 5 | Credit Hours |
| POLSC Elective 300 Level | 3 |
| Diversity course | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Semester 6 | Credit Hours |
| POLSC Elective 300 Level | 3 |
| POLSC Elective | 3 |
| Field Experience or Internship | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Semester 7 | Credit Hours |
| POLSC 350: Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Semester 8 | Credit Hours |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 3 |
| Elective or course for a minor | 1-3 |
*One of the natural science courses must have a lab component.
Political Science Minor
Students must complete 18 credit hours in political science including: POLSC 101, POLSC 102, one course in political theory, and three additional political science courses. Consult the academic catalog for course options.