Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Political Science, B.A.

Location(s): Statesboro, Armstrong-Savannah, Fully Online


A political science major is a social science degree path that requires students to study government in theory and practice. Majors will explore topics related to American politics, political theory, international relations, comparative politics and more. By the time they complete their degrees, students should understand political issues and theories and have the skills to confidently approach research questions.

Degree Requirements: 124 Credit Hours


See Core IMPACTS  for required courses in Core IMPACTS and Additional Course Requirements.

General Requirements (Core IMPACTS): 42 Credit Hours


Additional Requirements: 4 Credit Hours


Field of Study Requirements: 18 Credit Hours


Major Requirements: 27 Credit Hours


Major Subfields: 12 Credit Hours


  1. Students must select one (1) course from each subfield below.
  2. Students may use up to 6 hours of courses in a concentration, emphasis, or certificate to satisfy subfield requirements.

Political Science Electives (No Concentration): 6 Credit Hours


Select two Political Science Electives from courses below. Students also may choose upper division courses from the above subfields, the concentration, or the emphasis. A maximum of 12 hours of Internship may be taken between POLS electives and general electives.

Area of Concentration, Emphasis, or Certificate: 15-18 Credit Hours


In lieu of the general degree, students may choose a concentration, emphasis, and/or certificate in the following areas:

  • Concentration in Global Security Studies (18 Credit Hours)
  • Emphasis in Law and Politics1 (15 Credit Hours)
  • Paralegal Certificate1 (15 Credit Hours)

1The Emphasis in Law and Politics and Paralegal Certificate may be earned concurrently.

See below for requirements.

Required Minor: 15 Credit Hours


General Electives: 0-12 Credit Hours


Students needing to satisfy FORL pre-requisites for 2001 must use general electives if those requirements are not satisfied by Core IMPACTS requirements or other placement equivalents.

Total Credit Hours: 124


Area of Concentration, Emphasis, and Certificate


Concentration in Global Security Studies


Required Courses: 6 credit hours

Homeland Defense & National Security Area: 3-6 Credit Hours


State-centered, focused on demands ascribed to the state, defend states from external aggression, decision-making power centralized in the government, emphasis on national power and military defense.

Select three (3) to six (6) credit hours from below:

International Law and Peace Area: 3-6 credit hours


Focuses on individual and collective responses to Global Security concerns, emphasizing the role of the government, IGOs, NGOs, and individuals.

Select three (3) to six (6) credit hours from below:

Total Credit Hours: 18


Other Program Requirements


Majors must earn a minimum grade of “C” in Introduction to Political Science ( POLS 2101 ), Introduction to Political Analysis (POLS 2130 ), and all upper level POLS courses.

Advisement

Undergraduate Academic Advisement at Georgia Southern is provided to all degree-seeking undergraduate students by professional advisors. Academic Advisors are located on all three Georgia Southern University campuses. Students are required to meet with their assigned Academic Advisor at least once a semester. For more information visit the Academic Advisement  catalog page.