BGS in Political Science

Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BGS in Political Science. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.

Freshman
FallHoursSpringHours
ENGL 101 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication (1 of 2))3ENGL 102 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication (2 of 2))3
Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking3Goal 2.2 Communication3
Goal 1.2 Quantitative Literacy3POLS 102 (Recommended for Majors)1
POLS 110 (Goal 3 Social Science, Major Requirement))3Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
 Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours12
 15 15
Sophomore
FallHoursSpringHours
Goal 3 Arts and Humanities3Goal 3 Natural Science3
Goal 4.1 US Diversity3POLS 301 (Major Requirement)3
POLS 150 or 170 (Goal 4.2 Global Awareness, Major Requirement)3Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
 15 15
Junior
FallHoursSpringHours
POLS Elective from Unique Sub-Field 300+ (Major Requirement)23Goal 5 Social Responsibility & Ethics3
POLS Elective 100+ (Major Requirement)33POLS Elective from Unique Sub-Field 300+ (Major Requirement)23
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13POLS 306 (Major Requirement)3
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
 15 15
Senior
FallHoursSpringHours
POLS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)33POLS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)33
POLS Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)33Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
Goal 6 Integration and Creativity3,43Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
BGS Career Course (BGSC - may be met by POLS 494, 495, 496, 497, 600, or 640)3Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours13
 15 15
Total Hours 120
1

 Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through KU core, 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.

2

 For a list of sub-fields and courses used to fulfill the sub-field requirements, and POLS 300+ 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

POLS 493, POLS 494, POLS 495, POLS 496, POLS 497, and POLS 498 are recommended capstone courses for majors.

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.

The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.