School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Political Science (B.A.)

Political Science involves the study of interesting and important topics about citizenship, government and politics. These topics include the influence of citizens on what government does, the scope, responsibilities and effectiveness of government itself, and the activities of both elected and appointed public officials. These topics are important parts of what political scientists know about American government and politics, comparative government and politics, international relations, political behavior, political economy, political institutions, and political theory. Political scientists and public administrators pay particular attention to the design, implementation, and evaluation of laws and public policies that may affect people's well-being.

The Political Science Program at The University of Texas at Dallas provides:

    (1) the foundations for more advanced, graduate study of citizenship, government and politics in Political Science;

    (2) the special core knowledge needed for subsequent professional education in law and public policy analysis;

    (3) the opportunity to acquire useful skills for careers in federal, state, and local government, community service, educational and other nonprofit organizations, and business firms.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Degree Requirements (120 hours)

I. Core Curriculum Requirements1: 42 hours

    A. Communication (6 hours)
    B. Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
    C. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
    D. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
      3 hours Mathematics (at or above level of College Algebra, recommended: MATH 1306 or 1314)
      4 hours Quantitative Reasoning (EPPS 3405)2, 4
    E. Science (9 hours including at least one course with a substantial laboratory component)

    1 Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parentheses are the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
    2 A Core Curriculum Requirement that also fulfills a Major Requirement. Hours are counted in the Core Curriculum.
    4 Three hours are counted under Quantitative Reasoning core, and one hour is counted under Major Preparatory Courses.

II. Major Requirements: 58 hours

    Major Preparatory Courses (4 hours beyond Core Curriculum)2
      GOVT 2301 Constitutional Foundations and Political Behavior in the U.S. and Texas2
      GOVT 2302 Political Institutions in the U.S. and Texas2
      PSCI 3325 American Public Policy2
      EPPS 3405 Introduction to Social Statistics with Lab2, 4
    One of the following:
    Major Core Courses (18 hours)
    One of the following:

    Major Related Courses (36 hours)

    36 hours Major and Related electives3

    2 A Core Curriculum Requirement that also fulfills a Major Requirement. Hours are counted in the Core Curriculum.
    3 Most students take upper-division PSCI courses. However, subject to advisor approval, courses from other disciplines may be used to satisfy this requirement.
    4 Three hours are counted under Quantitative Reasoning core, and one hour is counted under Major Preparatory Courses.

III. Elective Requirements: 20 hours

    Advanced Electives (6 hours)

    All students are required to take at least six hours of advanced electives outside their major field of study. These must be either upper-division classes or lower-division classes that have prerequisites.

    Free Electives (14 hours)

    This requirement may be satisfied with lower- and upper-division courses from any field of study. Students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division credit to qualify for graduation.

Minor in Political Science (18 hours)

For a minor in Political Science, students must take GOVT 2301 and GOVT 2302. In addition students must take four upper-division courses with a PSCI prefix with the exception of PSCI 4V76, PSCI 4V97, PSCI 4V98, and PSCI 4V99.