Students enrolled in political science classes may have interests in public service careers at the national, state, and local levels; the legal profession; teaching in high schools and universities; political advocacy; nonprofit organizations related to public policy; elective and appointive office; political campaigns; and the media. Studying political science also contributes to informed and effective citizenship.
Admission into the Major
Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students can declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.
Special Opportunities
The department offers several opportunities to earn advanced-level credit through its own Study Abroad programs: currently in Sweden, Guatemala, Israel, Belgium, and Germany. The department also offers credit for selected students' participation in the UA Mock Trial Team, as well as credit for internships in federal, state, and local politics and government. Outstanding students can apply for the department's Accelerated Masters' Program, which allows students to begin work on a graduate degree while still enrolled as an undergraduate.
Students earning the bachelor of arts (BA) degree with a major in political science must complete all University, College and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following major requirements, all requirements for an approved minor and other sufficient credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
| Code and Title | Hours |
| PSC 101 | Intro American Politics | 3 |
| 6 |
| Political Science Methods | |
| Comparative Politics | |
| International Relations | |
| Political Theory | |
| Public Administration | |
| 9 |
| 9 |
| 9 |
| 12 |
| 12 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Fields
Students must earn a minimum of 3 hours in three of the fields listed below, for a total of 9 hours.
Field 1: American Government
Field 2: Comparative Politics
Field 3: Political Theory
| Code and Title | Hours |
| PSC 205 | Political Theory | 3 |
| PSC 325 | Topics in Political Theory | 3 |
| PSC 353 | Modern Political Thought | 3 |
| PSC 362 | Organization Theory | 3 |
| PSC 452 | American Political Thought | 3 |
Field 4: Public Policy and Public Administration
Field 5: International Relations
Grade Point Average
A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. Please see the Grades and Grade Points section of this catalog for an explanation on grade point average calculations.
Upper-level Residency
A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus. PSC 399 Internship In PSC does not count toward this residency requirement.
Ancillary Courses
The major in political science does not require ancillary courses. However, it is recommended that students considering graduate school study a modern foreign language.
Required Minor
This major requires the completion of a minor.
Additional Major Requirements
Specific sections of topics courses (PSC 320 Special Studies In PSC, PSC 321 Special Topics In PSC, PSC 395 Civil Law & Judicial Advocacy, PSC 396 Crim. Law & Judicial Advocacy, PSC 399 Internship In PSC, PSC 421 Seminar in Political Science and PSC 422 Seminar Political Science) may be appropriate to fulfill the field requirements. Additional credits, earned through transfer credit and/or education abroad, may also fulfill field requirements - please inquire with the department's undergraduate director.
PSC 399 Internship In PSC does not apply to the Department's 12-hour upper-level residency requirement. However, PSC 399 credits do count toward the total of 30 hours toward the major, and toward the College of Arts and Sciences' advanced-level course requirement.
Students should contact the department’s undergraduate director concerning this use of special topics courses. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, College, major and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an adviser in the major department for academic planning and to be approved for registration each semester. College advisers are also available for freshman students and to provide additional assistance with minor, college and University requirements.
Prerequisites
Unless otherwise stated, the prerequisite for enrollment in PSC 318 Con Law: Limits of Gov Power, PSC 319 Con Law Civ Rts and Libs, and PSC 439 UK Politics and Policy is PSC 101 Intro American Politics. PSC 204 International Relations is the prerequisite for PSC 435 War And Peace and PSC 444 International Organizations The prerequisite for enrollment in 300-level political science courses is sophomore standing or permission of the instructor, and the prerequisite for 400-level political science courses is junior standing or higher or permission of the instructor.
Besides preparing students for positions in the fields of public service and politics, law, education, and journalism, the PSC major also provides skills for careers in business. Every year our students are accepted into competitive graduate programs in these fields that enhance and broaden their career prospects.
Types of Jobs Accepted by Recent Graduates
congressional staff member, political party staff member, staff member at nonprofit organization, law enforcement official, military officer, teacher, AmeriCorps member, lobbyist, White House Staffer
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
city manager, diplomat, elected official, lawyer, chief of staff for member of Congress, communications director for member of Congress, lobbyist, judge, civil servant, VP for Government Relations, foreign service officer, military officer, professor, teacher, journalist, business manager
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
