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Dec 04, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Political Science BA/MA
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Politics and governments affect your life on a daily basis-from the environment and education to civil rights and wars. That’s why it’s so important to understand (and question!) the political structures all around us, regardless of your personal politics. This program is for students who like thinking about institutions, power, government and law-including how (and why) they work the way they do. If that sounds like you, then you’re the perfect candidate for this major.
Visit the Political Science academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.
Visit the Political Science department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.
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Admissions Criteria
Admission to the Political Science BA/MA will have the same requirements for students that receive provisional acceptance to our MA program from the BA. Specifically, a UB GPA of 3.000 or higher and a B or higher in PSC 408 (or similar-level statistics or math course).
Undergraduate Course Requirements
One Political Science Introductory Courses (3 credits)
One Methods of Inquiry Course (4 credits)
Three Political Science Field Courses (6 credits)
Three courses, at least one from three of the four fields (9 credits)
Six Political Science Electives (18 credits)
- At least four courses (12 credits) must be a the 300/400 level
- A maximum of two courses (6 credits) can be from among: PSC 496 , PSC 497 or PSC 499 .
Graduate Course Requirements
Two Methods Courses (6 credits)
- PSC 500SEM - Introduction to Political Inquiry Credits: 3
- PSC 508SEM - Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Credits: 3
- PSC 531SEM - Intermed Stats for Soc Sc Credits: 3
- PSC 533SEM - Formal Political Theory Credits: 3
Two Field Core Courses (6 credits)
- PSC 503SEM - Comparative Politics Credits: 3
- PSC 504SEM - International Politics Credits: 3
- PSC 505SEM - American Politics Credits: 3
- PSC 561SEM - Constitutional Law Credits: 3
Electives & Culminating Experience (18 credits)
Electives (12 credits):
- Any Political Science (PSC) 500, 600 or 700-level course
- up to 9 cr of coursework from outside departments, with DGS approval.
- Limit of up to 6 credits of PSC 670TUT: Independent Study.
Culminating Experience (3 credits):
- PSC 700TUT - MA Culminating Experience Credits: 3
Total Credits Required for Undergraduate Major: 37
Additional Undergraduate Degree Requirements Include:
- Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
- 26 undergraduate elective credits.
Total Undergraduate Credits Required: 97-99
Total Credits Required for Graduate Degree: 30
Total Credits Required for Graduation: 127-129
Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.
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.
First Year Spring
- Political Science Introductory Course Credits: 3
- Pathway Credits: 3
- Pathway Credits: 3
- Pathway Credits: 3
- Political Science Course - Field 1* Credits: 3
Second Year Fall
- Pathway Credits: 3
- Elective (LAS) Credits: 3
- Scientific Literacy and Inquiry 1 Credits: 3
- Political Science Course - Field 2* Credits: 3
Third Year Fall
- Political Science Elective 300/400 level Credits: 3
- Political Science Elective Credits: 3
- Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
- Political Science Elective Credits: 3
- Elective (300/400 level LAS) Credits: 3
Third Year Spring
- UBC 399MNT - UB Curriculum Capstone Credits: 1
- Political Science Elective 300/400 Level Credits: 3
- Political Science Elective 300/400 Level Credits: 3
- Political Science Elective 300/400 Level Credits: 3
- Elective (300/400 Level LAS) Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 2
Fourth Year Fall
- PSC 500SEM - Introduction to Political Inquiry Credits: 3
- PSC 508SEM - Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Credits: 3
- PSC Graduate Field Core Course Credits: 3
- Elective (300/400 level LAS) Credits: 3
- Elective (300/400 level) Credits: 3
Fourth Year Spring
- PSC Graduate Field Core Course Credits: 3
- Elective (300/400 level) Credits: 3
- Elective (300/400 level LAS) Credits: 3
- PSC Graduate Elective Credits: 3
- PSC Graduate Elective Credits: 3
Fifth Year Fall
- PSC Graduate Elective Credits: 3
- PSC Graduate Elective Credits: 3
- PSC Graduate Elective Credits: 3
- PSC 700TUT - MA Culminating Experience Credits: 3
Total Credits Required: 127-129
Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:
- 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
(HEGIS: 22.07 POLITICAL SCI & GOVERN, CIP: 45.1001 Political Science and Government, General)
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