Political Science BA - American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration

Course Requirements

Academic Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 2.000 overall and in the major required for graduation.
• Minimum GPA of 3.000 overall and in the major is required for all internships.

Transfer Credit Policy

The department gives transfer credit for a maximum of five political science courses. 

Program Honors and Program Distinction

Students must have at least a 3.250 GPA and complete one of the following courses: PSC 492 , PSC 495 , PSC 497 , or (with the permission of the instructor) any graduate seminar with a grade of B or better. Students must also meet the remaining Program Honors criteria outlined in the Academic Honors policy. 

Majors who do not pursue a thesis but have exceptional grades are eligible for Program Distinction upon degree conferral if the criteria are met.  These criteria are also found in the Academic Honors policy. 

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

• Scholarship in three of the following four fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public law
  • Be able to identify and discuss important scholarly debates and research questions in their chosen fields
  • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and apply key concepts and major theories in their chosen fields
• Developing writing skills to intellectually communicate their ideas and research findings about political topics
  • Develop the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in writing
  • Develop the ability to effectively take a position and defend an argument against criticism
  • Be able to write an essay or paper presenting a clear thesis supported by relevant research
• Develop the analytical skills necessary to think critically about political, social, and economic behavior
  • Be able to identify and critically evaluate the arguments of scholarly research in political science.
  • Engage in conceptual analysis and theoretical interpretation of political ideas and phenomena
  • Develop the ability to analyze a scholarly question in political science by drawing logical inferences from qualitative and/or quantitative data
• Develop an understanding of their role as an engaged citizen in a democratic political system
  • Be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of government policies
  • Develop an awareness of the global dynamics that influence the context of domestic and international politics
  • Develop the ability to apply social scientific reasoning in the analysis of a wide range of political issues and problems