Political Science B.A.
Students may choose between four major tracks: The Politics and Government track is the traditional liberal arts political science major. The Public Administration track prepares students for public service in national, state, or local governments. Students may also choose to do a dual major in Social Science and Education with a Political Science Emphasis. See the Social Studies section of the catalog.
Students must also be aware of the University-wide requirements in this catalog.
Note: Students majoring in Political Science may not accumulate more than 15 credit hours, total, of internship credit toward graduation. The department does not accept transfer credit in upper division coursework (i.e., 300 or 400 level courses) for political science courses completed at community colleges, junior colleges, trade schools, etc.
Track II - Public Administration –39 to 40 semester hours.
Students must maintain a 2.00 QPA for courses in this track.
Required POLS courses (27 credits):
| POLS 201 | GE: Elements of Public Administration | 3 credits |
| POLS 211 | GE: American Government | 3 credits |
| POLS 293 | GE: Public Policy and Administration | 3 credits |
| POLS 314 | GE: State and Local Government | 3 credits |
| POLS 416 | Administrative Law | 3 credits |
| POLS 466 | Budgeting & Finance | 3 credits |
| POLS 467 | Public Personnel Administration | 3 credits |
| POLS 468 | Strategies for Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
| POLS 486 | Field Experiences and Internships | 1 - 12 credits |
choose one (3 credits):
| POLS 313 | GE: Courts and the Judicial Process | 3 credits |
| POLS 435 | The Presidency | 3 credits |
| POLS 454 | Legislative Process | 3 credits |
choose one (3 credits):
| POLS 315 | Legal Research | 3 credits |
| POLS 317 | Exploring Politics: Methods and Techniques | 3 credits |
| POLS 413 | Amer Constitutionl Law | 3 credits |
| POLS 414 | Constit Civil Liberties | 3 credits |
| POLS 445 | International Law and Organization | 3 credits |
Additional Requirements:
Track III - Pre-Law – 57 semester hours with co-requisites
Students must maintain a 2.50 QPA in this track to graduate.
Required POLS courses (12 credits):
| POLS 111 | GE: Principles of Political Science | 3 credits |
| POLS 211 | GE: American Government | 3 credits |
| POLS 317 | Exploring Politics: Methods and Techniques | 3 credits |
| POLS 495 | Seminar | 3 credits |
choose one (3 credits):
| POLS 222 | GE: Contemporary Political Ideologies | 3 credits |
| POLS 352 | GE: History of Political Theory | 3 credits |
| POLS 452 | American Political Ideas | 3 credits |
| POLS 453 | European Political Ideas | 3 credits |
| POLS 468 | Strategies for Policy Analysis | 3 credits |
choose three (9 credits):
| POLS 313 | GE: Courts and the Judicial Process | 3 credits |
| POLS 315 | Legal Research | 3 credits |
| POLS 413 | Amer Constitutionl Law | 3 credits |
| POLS 414 | Constit Civil Liberties | 3 credits |
| POLS 416 | Administrative Law | 3 credits |
| POLS 445 | International Law and Organization | 3 credits |
12 additional POLS credits at the 300 or 400 level with at least one course in comparative politics (12 credits)
Total POLS credits 36.
Co-requisites:
choose one (3 credits)
| MATH 100 | GE: Numbers Sets & Structures | 3 credits |
| MATH 101 | GE: Excursions in Mathematics | 3 credits |
| MATH 110 | GE: General Statistics | 3 credits |
| MATH 130 | GE: Applied Algebraic Methods | 3 credits |
choose one (3 credits):
choose one (3 credits):
choose one (3 credits):
| PHIL 235 | GE: Human Rights and Freedom | 3 credits |
| PHIL 238 | GE: Philosophy Of Law | 3 credits |
| MGT 225 | Business Law I | 3 credits |
choose one (3 credits):
| HIST 141 | GE: Foundations of the US | 3 credits |
| HIST 142 | GE: 19th Century United States | 3 credits |
| HIST 143 | GE: 20th Century US History | 3 credits |
| HIST 144 | GE: 20C Amer II-Sn 1941 | 3 credits |
Total co-requisite credits: 21.
Additional Requirements:
Track IV - Accelerated Law Program with Widener University - 27-40 semester hours
Students must complete all the requirements for Track I - Politics and Government.
This is a six-year cooperative program with Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg that allows students to complete their undergraduate and law school degrees in six years.
Students who successfully complete the program will spend three academic years at East Stroudsburg University leading to a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Before or during the first semester of their junior year students must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Students must score at or above the 50th percentile on the LSAT and have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher by their first semester junior year.
Students must also submit a completed application and meet all other Widener University School of Law admission requirements. The first year at Widener will fulfill students’ remaining requirements to earn the appropriate bachelor’s degree. Students must also meet the following requirements:
Declare Participation
Students wishing to participate in this program must have the approval of their adviser and declare their intention to participate in the program with the Pre-Law Adviser prior to the start of their sophomore year. Students must complete a plan of study in conjunction with their academic adviser and the University Pre-Law Adviser.
University Requirements
Students must complete all university requirements, except for the following:
- Students will reach the 120-credit requirement by transferring credits earned during the first year at Widener University School of Law. However, students must obtain prior approval for the transfer of these credits.
- Students must apply for a waiver of the university requirement that their last 32 credits be taken at East Stroudsburg University.
First year at Widener: Students must attend on a full-time basis for the first year or until they receive their bachelor’s degree.