Political Science Major & Minor

Political Science explores topics related to political behavior, the law, and governance both in the United States and internationally. Political Science is fundamental to understanding your rights and responsibilities as a citizen and to understanding international politics and law. Undergraduate study of politics includes courses on American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.

These courses introduce you to political concepts, political behavior, policy issues, and structures of government within societies and among nations. Coursework in the major will help develop valuable analytical communication skills. Completion of a curriculum in Political Science provides an individual with a broad background preparatory to a number of careers. Among those are government service, politics, business, teaching, research in political science, and entry into law and other graduate schools. 

While at WKU, we encourage our majors to Learn, Engage, and Lead. The world is their classroom. Many students study abroad, while others present original research at conferences across the United States. We offer opportunities to participate in many student activities including Mock Trial. Many of our students have earned national recognition for their accomplishments. 

 

Interested in majoring in Political Science? Email us now!

Apply to WKU

 

 

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The major in political science requires a minimum of 36 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor or second major is required.

Core Required Courses - 5 courses (15hrs)

• PS 110: American National Government
• PS 250: International Politics
• PS 275: Introduction to Citizenship
• PS 301: Using Statistics in Political Science or PS 302: Research Design in Political Science
• PS 499: Senior Seminar in Government (Students are advised to take all core courses before enrolling in PS 499.)

 

 

At least 18 credit hours in the major must be at the 300-level or higher. No more than 6 hours total can come from PS 403, 405, 407 and 498. PS 324 and 325 can both be repeated once. Three hours of credit from PS 324 and 325 can be used for the major, and three hours from each can be used as general electives.

 

For a full list of Political Science courses, visit WKU's Undergraduate Course Catalog.

 

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The minor in political science requires a minimum of 21 semester hours with at least one-half of the hours to be earned at the 300-level or above. The requirements for a minor include the following:

6 hours of core courses: PS 110 (American National Government) and PS 250 (International Politics) or PS 260 (Introduction to Comparative Politics).

In addition to 6 core hours, students are required to select 15 additional hours to complete the minor. No more than three hours total may come from PS 403, 405, 407 and 498. PS 324 and 325 can both be repeated once. Only 3 hours can be used for the minor and 3 hours as general electives.

 

Declare a Political Science Minor

 

 

 

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The Political Science Department can help match students with internships in local, state, or federal government agencies. The Department offers a number of internship opportunities for its undergraduate majors and minors as well as graduate students. These require close coordination among the student, work supervisor, and the Department's internship coordinator. It is important to discuss a possible internship with the appropriate departmental coordinator prior to enrolling in it. These are usually unpaid positions, requiring 15 hours of work per week. 3 hours of credit are awarded under PS 498/598. 

Recent political science students have interned at organizations such as the Barren River Area Development District, Barren River Area Safe Space, and the Center for Accesable Living. Other examples of past internships include students who have interned in political offices and campaigns within the state and in Washington DC.

 

Kentucky Legislative Intern Program

The Kentucky General Assembly selects about 24 interns statewide for its sessions in the spring of even years. Interns are selected in the winter of odd years. They live and work in Frankfort from mid-December through May while the General Assembly is in session. Interns are paid, and receive 15 hours of credit under PS 490, 491, 492, and 493. 

Note: The Political Science Department does not award academic credit for clerical or "go-fer" job experiences, whether paid or unpaid. Nor does it award academic credit for working as "clerks" in law offices. However, the Department does encourage students interested in legal careers to work for a law firm, and the Department can sometimes assist in finding positions.

 

For more information, contact:

Scott Lasley | Professor & Department Head
Email:scott.lasley@wku.edu   |   Grise Hall - 304   |  270-745-2799

 

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We encourage our students to go beyond a Bachelors degree. Many political science students are interested in going to law school and some want to pursue advanced degrees in the field. We can help you on your quest for any of these goals. Whether you are looking for an academic or research position or career in government, the law, business, journalism and communications, teaching and or a career with a non-profit organization-- in the private or public sector-- we can help.

 

Here are a few useful links:

Office of Personnel Management

U.S. Government Websites

 

 

 

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At 33 hours, Political Science pairs well with almost any major. Here are some of the most popular second Majors our students choose to pair with Political Science: