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BPS Curriculum Overview

Bachelor’s in Political Science (BPS)

Bachelor’s in Political Science
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BPS Requirements

Students can choose one of two degree options, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Political Science. Each offers a strong liberal arts curriculum aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of foreign and domestic politics, along with essential training in social science research methods, strengthening their critical thinking abilities, and enhancing students’ written, verbal, and visual communications skills. 

Core Courses

Students are required to take the following core curriculum courses (42 credit hours), which will help them acquire foundational knowledge and critical skills for a degree in political science:

  • ENGL 104 (3 hours)
  • Communication [KCOM]* (3 hours)
  • ENGL Literature (3 hours)
  • ENGL Literature (3 hours)
  • Physical Science [KLPS]* (3 hours)
  • Physical Science [KLPS]* (3 hours)
  • Physical Science [KLPS]* (3 hours)
  • Creative Arts [KCRA]* (3 hours)
  • Language, Philosophy & Culture [KLPC]* (3 hours)
  • LPC [KLPC] or CA [KCRA]* (3 hours)
  • Social Science [KSOC]* (3 hours)
  • Social Science [KSOC]* (3 hours)
  • American History [KHIS]* (3 hours)
  • American History [KHIS]* (3 hours)

*Course options may be found in Undergraduate Core Curriculum Catalog.

Political Science Major

All political science majors, both B.A. and B.S., are required to take the following courses (36 hours):

  • Foundations (12 hours total)
    • POLS 206 (3 hours)
    • POLS 207 (3 hours)
    • POLS 200 [UWRT] (3 hours)
    • POLS 209 [UWRT] (3 hours)
  • Introductory Courses (choose 3 courses)
    • POLS 203 (3 hours)
    • POLS 229 (3 hours)
    • POLS 231 (3 hours)
    • POLS 233 (3 hours)
  • Major Electives (15 hours total)
    • POLS (3 hours)
    • POLS (3 hours)
    • POLS (3 hours)
    • POLS (3 hours)
    • POLS (3 hours)

Additional B.A. Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science students are required to complete the following additional courses (20 hours).

  • Modern Language (14 hours total)
    (choose from ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, CLAS, ITAL, JAPN, RUSS, or SPAN)
    • Foreign Lang. I (4 hours)
    • Foreign Lang. II (4 hours)
    • Foreign Lang. III (3 hours)
    • Foreign Lang. IV (3 hours)
  • Mathematics (6 hours total)
    • MATH 140 (3 hours)
    • MATH 142 or PHIL 240 (3 hours)

Additional B.S. Requirements

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Political Science students are required to complete the following additional courses (15 hours).

  • Supporting Coursework (6 hours total)
    • POLS 308 (3 hours)
    • POLS 309 [UWRT] (3 hours)
  • Mathematics (9 hours total)
    • MATH 140 (3 hours)
    • MATH 142 (3 hours)
    • PHIL 240 (3 hours)

General Electives

  • B.A. students are required to complete 22 hours of general elective course work.
  • B.S. students are required to complete 27 hours of general elective course work.

Other Requirements

  • Residency: At least 36 credit hours of 300 or 400‐level coursework must be completed at Texas A&M or through an approved study abroad program. A minimum of 12 of these 36 credit hours must be in the major.
  • International & Cultural Diversity: Students must complete 3 hours of approved [KICD] coursework.
  • Cultural Discourse: Students must complete 3 hours of approved [KUCD] coursework.
  • University Foreign Language: Students must complete at least 2 semesters of college‐level foreign language OR 2 years of the same foreign language in high school.
  • Writing‐Intensive Coursework: Students must complete 6 hours of approved [UWRT] coursework.