Political Science Major/Minor Degree Requirements

Effective Fall 2017

The political science curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation and broad understanding of the discipline of political science and to allow them to specialize in areas of particular substantive interest. Political science provides excellent instruction for students interested in politics, law, journalism, teaching, or civil service. Insight into political values, domestic policy issues, and foreign policy are invaluable for students interested in such careers as well as for careers in business.

Students seeking an undergraduate degree in political science must complete 36 hours of coursework within the department. Political science majors are required to take POLS 2361, POLS 2371, POLS 3314, and 27 additional hours of upper-level POLS courses (must include 6 hours of communication literacy courses).

Under state law, all students who receive bachelor's degrees from Texas Tech must have received credit for 6 semester hours in political science, covering the federal and Texas constitutions. Students will fulfill this requirement by completing POLS 1301, which is a prerequisite for all upper-division political science courses, and POLS 2306.

Concentrations

The department offers four concentrations for students: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Policy & Public Administration. Students who do not choose to have a concentration will receive a general B.A. in Political Science.

American Politics Concentration

Students seeking the notation "American Politics Concentration" on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses:

• POLS 3317, 3318, 3319, 3323, 3325, 3327, 3351, 3352, 3353, 3300

Comparative Politics Concentration

Students seeking the notation "Comparative Politics Concentration" on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses:

• POLS 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3376, 3302

International Relations Concentration

Students seeking the notation "International Relations Concentration" on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses:

• POLS 3360, 3363, 3365, 3366, 3367, 3368, 3301

Policy & Public Administration Concentration

Students seeking the notation "Policy & Public Administration Concentration" on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses:

• POLS 3328, 3329, 3334, 3341, 3346, 3303

Minor. The requirement for a minor in Political Science is six 3-hour courses (18 hours), including POLS 1301 and 2306. Political Science minors are also required to take either POLS 2361 or 2371 plus 9 hours of upper-level POLS courses.

Requirements and Prerequisites. POLS 1301 is a prerequisite for all upper-division political science courses. A student must receive at least a C in POLS 1301, POLS 2306, and all courses in political science that apply to major, minor, or teaching field requirements.

Communications Literacy. Students majoring in Political Science are expected to develop proficiency in written, oral, and graphical/mathematical communication. To satisfy this requirement, all majors are required to take three 3-hour courses (9 hours) of Communications Literacy courses in the department. The three courses that satisfy this requirement are:

• 3 hours from 3300 or 3303

• 3 hours from 3301 or 3302

• POLS 3314 Introduction to Political Analysis

Selected Topics Courses. Multiple sections of POLS 3300, 3301, 3302, and 3303 are offered each semester with varying topics of contemporary interest within each field of political science. These courses are repeatable for credit up to four times each (totaling 12 hours). In order to apply to a student's major or minor, these courses must each cover different topics, as indicated by the course title found online each semester. Additionally, for students to grade replace either course, the topics must be the same.

 

For more information, contact the graduate advisor at or visit the department.