Political Science (BS)
Continue to main contentPolitical Science (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
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$136k
Attorney
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for lawyers is $135,740.
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$48k
Legislators
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for legislators is $ 48,090.
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$128k
Political Scientists
Philosophy majors often work in government and politics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a political scientist is $128,020.
The political science degree curriculum provides knowledge and skills that have immediate practical application, are transferable from one field to another, and are in high demand across a wide variety of careers and professions. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Required Courses:
- PS001 Senior Assessment (0)
- PS240 Introduction to Political Science (3)
Choose one course:
- PS103 U.S. Political Systems (3)
Choose 15 hours:
15 hours of political science courses (3 hours in each of the 5 subfields)Choose 6 hours:
6 additional hours in one specialty subfieldChoose 6 hours:
- 6 additional hours of political science electives
(9 hours of political science courses must be 300-level or above
Additional Requirement:
- MI101 Introduction to Computer Applications (3)
3 hours of statistics:
- MA223 Elementary Probability and Statistics (3)
- QM257 Business Analytics (3)
- PY271 Introduction to Behavioral Statistics (3)
- PY571 Introduction to Behavioral Statistics (3)
- SO242 Statistics for Social Scientists (3)
Additional Math Requirement:
- MXxxx 5 hours MA123 or above (except MA230, 318, 418)
Political Science Subfield Course Choices:
American Government & Politics
- PS310 Government & Politics in American States (3)
- PS331 The American Executive (3)
- PS335 American Foreign Policy (3)
- PS361 Campaigns & Interest Groups (3)
- PS365 Legislative Process (3)
- PS390 American Judicial System (3)
- PS490 Constitutional Law (3)
- UI320 Modern Presidency (3)
Comparative Government & Politics
- IU310 Government & Politics of East Asia (3)
- PS343 Women & Politics (3)
- PS355 Less Developed Nations (3)
- PS460 Government & Politics of Western Europe (3)
- UI350 Middle East Politics (3)
- UI458 Terrorism & Political Violence
International Politics
- PS280 Introduction to Global Issues (3)
- PS335 American Foreign Policy (3)
- PS380 International Organizations (3)
- PS580 International Politics (3)
- PS595 International Law (3)
- UI322 International Political Economy (3)
Public Administration
- PS230 American Public Policy (3)
- PS403 Public Personal Administration (3)
- PS415 Government Budgeting Process (3)
- PS425 Administrative Law & Precedure (3)
- PS502 Fundamentals of Public Administration (3)*
- PS505 Organizational Theory/Behavior (3)*
- PS518 Public Policy ANalysis (3)*
- PS545 Research Methods in Public Administration (3)*
Political Theory
- PS342 Modern Political Thought (3)
- PS357 Early American Political Thought (3)
- PS358 Foundations of Political Thought (3)
- UI361 Contemporary Political Theory (3)
*For accelerated MPA students
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- PS103 or PS104 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- MI101 (3)
- PS240 (3)
- Additional Math (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- American Government (3)
- Statistics (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- Comparative Government (3)
- Additional Math (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- International Politics (3)
- Additional Sub-Field (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- Political Theory (3)
- Additional Sub-Field (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Senior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- Public Administration (3)
- PS Elective (3)
- PS Elective (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)
- PS001 (0)
- PS471 (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Minor Course (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (2)
What will it cost?
Real-World Opportunities
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Jefferson City Legislative Internship
Southeast students are highly sought after by legislators in Missouri’s Capitol for the legislative internship experience. The program, while giving invaluable experience to students, can also lead to a career. Many former interns have gone on to government or campaign employment following their internship experience.
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Preparing for Law School
A philosophy degree from Southeast provides a strong foundation for pursuit of law school. In addition to the critical thinking, analytical, and argumentative skills learned, Southeast has an impressive tradition for preparing students. 100% of our philosophy and political science students who apply are accepted to law school, including some of the most impressive in the country like Harvard, Washington University, and University of Missouri.
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Center for Strategic & International Studies
If you hope to put your reasoning skills to work to make the world a better place, Southeast’s partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) could be the experience you’ve been looking for. SEMO students are immersed at the global Washington, D.C. think tank for a week of problem solving while working with policy makers to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems like hunger, cybersecurity, and climate change. Southeast is the only university in the country to have a week-long program with the CSIS for its students.
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Accelerated Mizzou Law Program
Southeast has an exciting partnership with the University of Missouri School of Law that will save students one year of undergraduate school and tuition to get a head start on their career goals in the legal profession. Students complete their major and general education requirements at Southeast in three years, then enter Mizzou law in their senior year, meaning they can complete their first year of law school while credit hours transfer to Southeast for completion of their bachelor’s degree, meaning you get your undergraduate and law degree in just six years.
"I want to work in my career field because of the ability to hear people’s concerns and be able to do something about it. I know most people seem to have a negative connotation when it comes to anything political, but I think it should be just the opposite. There are so many different career options within the field that it is more diverse than people realize."
Erika Bone ’20
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