Loading...

The Department of Political Science requires its majors to complete a minimum of 11 three-credit courses in political science and the Junior Year Writing requirement, as described below. None of these courses may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. At least six of the eleven courses must be taken within the department.

Introductory Courses: At least two 100-level Political Science courses completed with grades of C or better. At least one of these courses must come from the following: 101 American Politics, 111 Comparative Politics, 121 World Politics, 171 Introduction to Political Theory. A third 100-level course, may be applied to major requirements.

Upper-Level Distribution Courses: One course in each of the subfields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. All courses must be at the 200 level or above. A listing of courses meeting the subfield requirement can be found on the department’s website: http://polsci.umass.edu.

Departmental Electives: Additional upper-level courses to bring the course total to eleven. If two introductory courses have been completed, five departmental electives are required. If three introductory courses have been applied to major requirements, four departmental electives are required. One three-credit, graded internship or independent study course may count as one of the electives. A second three-credit, graded internship or independent study course may be counted with prior approval from the Undergraduate Program Director.

Junior Year Writing: The Junior Year Writing requirement is fulfilled by completion of POLISCI 399J. This should be completed in the junior year; sophomores may enroll on a space-available basis. (Students for whom Political Science is a second major and who have completed the Junior Year Writing requirement in their primary major are not required to take POLISCI 399J.)

Honors Program
The Political Science Honors Program is open to majors who have a grade point average of 3.200 or higher and who are in Commonwealth College. Students are admitted to this program on application and, once accepted, they fulfill part of their departmental and college requirements with honors courses. These requirements include eight honors courses (three in the department) including an Honors Project (paper in a political science senior seminar or special capstone course sequence) or eight honors courses (two in the department) including an independent Honors Thesis. Political Science majors who complete this program as part of their Commonwealth College honors requirements with a GPA of 3.400 or better may graduate with Departmental Honors and Commonwealth College Honors. Further distinctions may be achieved for excellence in the capstone, project or thesis, combined with higher overall GPAs. For detailed information on diploma and transcript recognitions, and for criteria required to graduate with Latin honors, see the “University Graduation Requirements” section of this Guide. Enrollment preference in Honors courses is given to Commonwealth College and Political Science Department Honors students. More information is available from the department’s Honors Coordinator or on the department's website.

Education Abroad and Exchanges
Numerous opportunities are available for study at other institutions, including members of the local Five College Consortium, North American colleges and universities participating in the National Student Exchange, and a variety of foreign universities. The department has a special undergraduate student exchange with the Department of Politics at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England.

Questions about the applicability of exchange credits to the major should be directed to the department’s chief undergraduate adviser. Up to five Political Science courses may be taken in this manner. Students should consult with the department’s counseling office on course selection before starting the exchange.

Related Programs
Many certificate programs are available to undergraduates in fields closely related to Political Science, including the Five College International Relations Certificate, Film Studies Certificate, and certificates in Public Policy, Near East Politics, Latin American Politics, among others. Students also may pursue minor degrees in conjunction with their Political Science major in such areas as Economics, Journalism, Legal Studies, Women’s Studies, and Communication.

Internships
Several types of internships are available to Political Science majors.  Students regularly intern with government institutions at all levels, non-profit advocacy groups, research organizations, and other agencies with public service functions (including law offices).  Internships are designed to enable students to earn graduation credits while employed temporarily in a professional position to gain work experience. More information about internships is available from the department’s internship coordinator.