Political Science
The Political Science Program offers a program of study that leads to the Bachelors of Science or the Bachelor of Arts degree. We additionally offer minors in International Political Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, and Public Administration. The Political Science Program is designed to prepare students for graduate study in law, government, politics, or policy and for careers in federal, state, and local government, including municipal and private planning agencies.
UNA Political Science graduates readily get accepted to law schools and graduate programs in political science, policy, and public administration. Our alums have taken jobs at various levels of government, in the non-profit sector, and are well represented in management positions in the private sector.
The Political Science Program offers students several options to engage their community including legal and public service internships (PS 495). Political science also has active Mock Trials and Model United Nations programs. The Political Science Club and Pi Sigma Alpha have hosted Presidential Debate Viewing Parties, socials, and tailgates at UNA home football games.
The Political Science Major is a thirty-six hour program that has six required courses:
- PS 241 - United States Government and Politics
- PS 244 - Public Policy and Administration
- PS 301 - Political Science Scope and Research
- PS 302 - Comparative Politics
- PS 303 - World Politics
- PS 304 - Political Theory
Students can then choose among a wide array of political science courses to fill out their major. Political science students can also design their curriculum around their interests including American politics and institutions, comparative politics, international relations, public policy and public administration, and political theory.
Program Requirements
- United States Government and Politics (PS 241)
- Public Policy and Administration (PS 244)
- Political Science Scope and Research (PS 301)
- Comparative Politics (PS 302)
- World Politics (PS 303)
- Political Theory (PS 304)
- 18 hours Political Science Electives (any level)
Total = 36 hours
- PS majors must complete an additional minor, second major, or second degree
- United States Government and Politics (PS 241)
- 3 hours Political Science Electives (300 level or higher)
- 12 hours of Political Science Electives (any level)
Total = 18 hours
Note: A maximum of 3 hours of internship credit may be included.
- Global Politics and Society (PS 251)
- Comparative Government and Politics (PS 302)
- World Politics (PS 303)
- Choose one of the following Concentration Minor Groups
- International Relations - Select 6 hours of concentration requirements at the 300/400 level and 3 hours at any level (9 hours total)
- Global Environments and Societies (GE 102)
- World Religions (RE 111)
- Cross-Cultural Interaction (FL 302)
- Geopolitics (GE 402)
- Model United Nations (may be repeated ) (PS 315)
- Cultural Diversity and Social Inequality (SO 421)
- International Organization (PS 435)
- Contemporary United States Foreign Policy (PS 481)
- Special Topics (Protest and Terrorism or War and Peace) (PS 490)
- International Law Enforcement and Emergency Management (SEM/CJ 420)
- Intercultural Experience (IE 499)
- Study Abroad (with approval) (SA 499)
- International Political Economy - Select 6 hours of concentration requirements at the 300/400 level and 3 hours at any level (9 hours total)
- Economic Geography (GE 321)
- Model United Nations (may be repeated) (PS 315)
- History of Economic Thought (EC 428)
- International Law of Commerce (BL 455)
- International Trade and Finance (EC 463)
- International Business (MK 491)
- Study Abroad (with approval) (SA 499)
- Peace and Conflict Studies - Select 6 hours of concentration requirements at the 300/400 level and 3 hours at any level (9 hours total)
- Cross-Cultural Interaction (FL 302)
- Sociology of Culture (SO 350)
- Model United Nations (may be repeated) (PS 315)
- Interagency Cooperation (SEM/CJ/PS 350)
- Global Women's Issues (WS 354)
- Terrorism and Terrorist Operations (SEM/CJ 410)
- Cultural Diversity and Social Inequality (SO 421)
- Contemporary United States Foreign Policy (PS 481)
- Special Topics (Protest and Terrorism or War and Peace) (PS 490)
- International Law Enforcement and Emergency Management (SEM/CJ 420)
- Study Abroad (with approval) (SA 499)
- International Relations - Select 6 hours of concentration requirements at the 300/400 level and 3 hours at any level (9 hours total)
Total = 18 hours
- State and Local Politics (PS 243)
- Public Policy and Administration (PS 244)
- Public Administration (PS 311)
- 9 hours Political Science Electives (choose of any three courses)
- Police Organization and Community Management (CJ 255)
- Professional Ethics and Legal Liabilities (CJ 326)
- Criminal Justice, Public Policy and Administration (CJ 450)
- Interagency Cooperation (SEM 350)
- Religion, Politics, and Public Policy (PS 411)
- Introduction to Public Policy (PS 412)
- Public Organizations and Theory (PS 413)
- Urban Politics (PS 414)
- Ethics in Administrative Leadership (PS 415)
- Regulating Vice in American Cities (PS 418/CJ 418)
- Government Internship Practicum (PS 495)
Total = 18 hours
- U.S. Constitutional History (HI/PS 367)
- Logic (PHL 202)
- Judicial Process and Behavior (PS 344)
- 9 hours Legal Studies Electives (choose any three courses, with at least one 300 level or higher)*
- The Legal Environment of Business (BL 240)
- Business Law for Entrepreneurs (BL 381)
- Criminal Law (CJ 295)
- Criminal Evidence (CJ 430)
- Criminal Procedure (CJ 434)
- Communication Law and Ethics (COM 400W)
- Technical Writing (EN 200W)
- Entertainment Industry Law (ENT 470W)
- Internship (PS 495)
- Law and Society (SO 430)
Total = 18 hours
*Or additional courses with approval of the department chair