Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science (BA)

Hours Required

A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the "Requirements for Graduation" section of this catalog.

Requirements

[University Core Curriculum]
Select 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the "Requirements for Graduation"42
Math Elective
MATH 1342Introductory Statistics3
Life & Physical Science Lab
Select 1 SCH compatible with a Life & Physical Science course1
Foreign Language
Select 6 SCH in foreign language coursework (not credit by exam). Students may take 6 SCH in Spanish at the level determined by the Spanish Placement Exam or by satisfying required pre-requisites. Students may take 6 SCH of another foreign language at the introductory level or above. This requirement may also be met by earning 6 SCH in any subject while participating in a TAMIU-approved Study Abroad program while living for at least 4 weeks in another country6
Major
PSCI 2301Intro to Political Leadership3
or PSCI 2304 Intro to Political Science
PSCI/CRIJ/SOCI 3301Research Methods in Social Sci3
PSCI 4351Senior Seminar in PSCI3
American Politics
Select 6 SCH from the following:6
Congress and the Presidency
Intro to Public Administration
Intro: Analysis of Publ Policy
The Constitution and Civil Lib
Constitution and Crim Pro Law
Constitution and Govt Powers
The Political System of U.S
Special Stud in American Pol
Constitutional Law
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
The Constitution and Civil Lib
Constitution and Crim Pro Law
Constitution and Govt Powers
Special Stud in Const Law
Political Philosophy
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Class&Med Political Phil
Modern Political Philosophy
Special Stud in Political Phil
Comparative Politics
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Govt & Politics of Europe
Latin American Pol Systems
Comp Pol Ideologies & Systems
Mexican Politics & Government
Special Stud in Comp Politics
International Politics
Select 6 SCH from the following:6
International Law & Org
Intl Political Economy
The Interamerican System
Drug Trafficking
Special Stud in Int Politics
International Politics
American Foreign Policy
Select 6 SCH at the 3000-4000 level (or higher for BA/MA students) not used for any other requirement6
Minor
Select a minimum of 18 SCH from one discipline at least twelve of which must be at the 3000-4000 level. See Appendix C. Instead of a minor, students may complete 18 SCH of electives, 12 SCH of which must be at the 3000-4000 level, from any discipline, except the major field, outside the College of Nursing and Health Sciences18
General Electives
Select 14 SCH, at least 9 of which must be at the 3000-4000 level. Students who do not elect to have a minor curriculum may use up to 9 hours of the resulting general electives in their major curriculum14
Total Semester Credit Hours120

Following is a suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their advisor each semester for help with program decisions and enrollment; responsible for reviewing the Program of Study Requirements, meeting all course prerequisites, and writing intensive course (WIN) requirements for graduation. See Academic Regulations-Undergraduate online.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 1301 English Composition I 3
GEOG 1303 General World Geography 3
HIST 1301 The US to 1877 3
MATH 1314 College Algebra 3
UNIV 1201 Learn a Global Context I 2
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours17
Spring
ENGL 1302 English Composition II 3
HIST 1302 The US Since 1877 3
MATH 1342 Introductory Statistics 3
UNIV 1302 Signature Course 3
Minor/General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Sophomore
Fall
PSCI 2305 American National Government 3
Creative Arts 3
Foreign Language/Study Abroad 3
Language, Philosophy & Culture 3
Life & Physical Science 3
Life & Physical Science Lab 1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring
PSCI 2301
Intro to Political Leadership
or Intro to Political Science
3
PSCI 2306 American State Government 3
Foreign Language/Study Abroad 3
Minor/General Elective 3
Life & Physical Science 3
Life & Physical Science Lab 1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Junior
Fall
PSCI 3301 Research Methods in Social Sci 3
PSCI - American Politics 3
PSCI - American Politics 3
General Elective 2
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring
PSCI - Constitutional Law 3
PSCI - Political Philosophy 3
PSCI - Advanced PSCI Elective 3
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
Advanced General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Senior
Fall
PSCI - Comparative Politics 3
PSCI - International Politics 3
PSCI - International Politics 3
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
Advanced General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring
PSCI 4351 Senior Seminar in PSCI 3
PSCI - Advanced PSCI Elective 3
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
Advanced General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours120
*

See information on the combined BA/MA in Political Science.

Students who do not elect to have a minor curriculum may use up to 9 hours of their available electives in additional courses in their major curriculum.

Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester.

Some courses may require prerequisites not listed.