As a field, political science examines how societies are governed and to what ends, teaching students how to analyze and better understand the causes and effects of political behavior.
Beyond the general education requirements, students who wish to major in Political Science must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 with a minimum grade of "C" in each course (with a minimum 2.0 GPA for all POLS courses). Students can choose between a general political science degree or choose a specialization in pre-Law, Global Politics, or Practical Politics (Campaigning, Lobbying and Policymaking). Each option is described below.
Political Science, BA or BS
Students who plan to work in government, business, public administration, or those considering graduate study are encouraged to pursue our general political science degree.
This degree offers the greatest flexibility, allowing our majors to chose the courses that most appeal to them or personalize their degree with a related minor. Students interested in campaign work, for instance, might use these electives to complete our minor in Campaigns and Lobbying, while those who want to focus on international law might add a Law and Legal Studies minor. Finally, those interested in international security, foreign policy, or intelligence work might benefit from a minor in Intelligence and Security Analysis.
Required courses:
POLS 2013: Intro to International Relations (S) - or - POLS 2113: Intro to Comparative Politics (IS)
POLS 2213: Fundamentals of Political Science
POLS 3103: Intro to Political Inquiry
POLS 4903: Senior Capstone Seminar
Electives:
18 additional hours of upper-division Political Science courses (click here for a full list of political science courses). These electives can include courses from ECON, ENGL, ENVR, FLL, FPST, GEOG, HIST, MGMT, PHIL, PSYC, REL, SOC. With approval from the adviser and department head, a maximum of 30 hours from an accredited doctoral health program may also be used for up to 15 hours of upper-division related courses and 15 hours of electives.
For a complete requirements list for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, consult the current Oklahoma State Academic Catalog.
Political Science: Global Politics, BA or BS
Ideal for students interested in careers in intelligence, security, diplomacy, or those who intend to go to law school and focus on international law, the political science - Global Politics focus provides students with a broad overview of international relations theories and exposure to different countries, regions, and political systems.
Required courses:
POLS 2013: Introduction to International Relations (S)
POLS 2213: Introduction to Comparative Politics (IS)
POLS 2213: Fundamentals of Political Science
POLS 3103: Intro to Political Inquiry
POLS 4043: Global Political Economy
POLS 4903: Senior Capstone Seminar
Electives (select 12 hours from):
POLS 2010: Topics in International Relations (I)
POLS 2110: Topics in Comparative Politics (I)
POLS 3033: International Law
POLS 3053: Introduction to Central Asia Studies (IS)
POLS 3123: Russian & Eurasian Politics (I)
POLS 3143: European Politics (I)
POLS 3163: African Politics (I)
POLS 3193: Latin American Politics
POLS 3223: Asian Politics
POLS 3313: Middle Eastern Politics
POLS 3893: Terrorism & Counterterrorism
POLS 4010: Advanced Topics in International Relations
POLS 4013: American Foreign Policy
POLS 4020: Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics
POLS 4023: Security Analysis and Briefing
POLS 4033: Civil Wars (I)
POLS 4053: War and World Politics (I)
POLS 4113: International Organization
Other courses that may count towards these 12 electives hours with the approval of the advisor and department head:
POLS 2313: Social Justice Politics
POLS 3100: Political Science Internship
POLS 3953: Minorities in the American Political System
POLS 4223: Social Movements
POLS 4693: Gender and Politics
POLS 4990: Independent Study
Credits earned in a study abroad program.
+ 9 hours of any upper-division courses
For a complete requirements list for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the Political Science: Global Politics option, consult the current Oklahoma State Academic Catalog.
Political Science: Practical Politics..., BA or BS
This option (full title: "Practical Politics - Campaigning, Lobbying and Policymaking") is ideal for students interested in running for elective office, working on campaigns, or intending to work for a lobbying group.
Required courses:
POLS 2013: Introduction to International Relations (S)
POLS 2213: Introduction to Comparative Politics (IS)
POLS 2213: Fundamentals of Political Science
POLS 3103: Intro to Political Inquiry
POLS 3443: Pol Campaigns And Candidacy - or - POLS 3533: Lobbying: the Art of Influence and Manipulation
POLS 3493: Public Policy
POLS 3513: Public Opinion and Polling
POLS 4903: Senior Capstone Seminar
Electives (select 12 hours from):
POLS 3100: Political Science Internship
POLS 3353: Political Parties
POLS 3423: Voting and Elections
POLS 3443: Pol Campaigns And Candidacy
POLS 3453: U.S. Congress
POLS 3523: Money, Media and Politics
POLS 3533: Lobbying: the Art of Influence and Manipulation
POLS 4333: Improving Democracy: How to Reform Government by the People (S)br />POLS 3613 State and Local Government
Other courses that may count towards these 12 electives hours with the approval of the advisor and department head:
POLS 4000: Advanced Topics in American Politics (topic must be related to campaigning, lobbying, or policymaking)
+ 9 hours of any upper-division Political Science courses (click here for a full list of political science courses).
For a complete requirements list for a Bachelor of Artsor a Bachelor of Science in the Political Science: Practical Politics - Campaigning, Lobbying and Policymaking option, consult the current Oklahoma State Academic Catalog.
Political Science: Pre-Law, BA or BS
Ideal for students going to law school with a focus on domestic (US) law, the political science - pre-Law focus provides students with an in-depth training on American legal traditions.
Required courses:
POLS 2013: Intro to International Relations (S) - or - POLS 2113: Intro to Comparative Politics (IS)
POLS 2023: The Individual and the Law
POLS 2213: Fundamentals of Political Science
POLS 3103: Intro to Political Inquiry
POLS 3983: Courts and Judicial Process (S)
POLS 3993: Legal Research and Analysis
POLS 4353: Administrative Law - or - POLS 4980: Advanced Topics in Public Law
POLS 4963: US Constitution: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
POLS 4973: US Constitution: Separation of Powers
POLS 4903: Senior Capstone Seminar
15 hours of upper-division pre-Law electives
AGEC 3713: Agricultural Law
AMIS 4013: American Indian Sovereignty (D)
AMST 3333: Crime, Law and American Culture (S)
LSB 3213: Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business
PHIL 3003: Symbolic Logic (A)
PHIL 3413: Ethical Theory (H)
PHIL 3843: Philosophy of Law (H)
POLS 4353: Administrative Law
POLS 4980: Advanced Topics in Public Law
PSYC 4143: Psychology and Law
SOC 4313: Sociology of Law
SPCH 3733: Elements of Persuasion (S)
SPCH 4793: Nonverbal Communication (S)
+ 9 hours of any upper-division Political Science courses (click here for a full list of political science courses).
For a complete requirements list for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the Political Science: Pre-Law option, consult the current Oklahoma State Academic Catalog.
Those matriculating in or before the most recent Academic Year should refer to this website to review their requirements. Contact Vincent Burke, the department's Undergraduate Senior Academic Advisor, at 405-744-5570 or vincent.burke@okstate.edu if you have any additional questions.