BA in Political Science
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in Political Science. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill Core 34, please visit the KU Core 34 page.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POLS 110 or 111 (Core 34: Social and Behavioral Science (SGE))050* | 3 | POLS 150, 151, 170, or 171 (Major requirement) | 3 |
| 1st Semester Language (BA Second Language)6 | 5 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | 2nd Semester Language (BA Second Language)6 | 5 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavioral Science (SGE)050 | 3 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POLS 301 | 3 | Political Science Distribution Elective1 | 3 |
| POLS 206 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030* | 3 | Political Science Distribution Elective1 | 3 |
| 3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 3 | 4th Semester Language, or 1st Semester of Another Language, unless req for mjr (BA Second Language)6 | 3 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities(SGE)060 | 3 | Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)040 | 4-5 |
| Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| BA Laboratory/Field Experience (LFE) | 1 | ||
| 15 | 17-18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | Major Elective (300+)1 | 3 |
| Major Elective (300+)1 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | POLS 496 or 497 (Internship elective, Capstone Course)3,4 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | POLS 494 or 495 (Internship seminar, Capstone Course)3,4 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Major Elective (300+)1 | 3 | POLS 498 or 499 (Capstone) | 3-6 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| 15 | 15-18 | ||
| Total Hours 120-124 | |||
- 1
For a current list of elective options, please see the degree requirements tab.
- 2
For a list sub-fields and courses used to fulfill the sub-field requirements, and POLS 400+ elective requirements, review the degree requirements tab in the catalog, or see your advisor.
- 3
A student may count no more than 6 hours toward the major from the following courses combined: POLS 493, POLS 494, POLS 495, POLS 496, POLS 497, or POLS 498.
- 4
For a current list of Capstone Experience courses, please see the Degree Requirements.
- 5
Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
- 6
For students completing the language requirement via the 3+1 language option, note that many first semester languages are 5 credit hours.
Please note:
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.
*Courses with a * designate courses that are degree requirements but can also be taken to fulfill the KU Core 34 requirement. If another course if used to fulfill the Core 34 requirement, the course listed is still required as a degree requirement.
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.