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Degree Requirements

Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree

To ensure you receive a well-balanced education at MSU, PLS majors must satisfy the requirements of three separate units:

  • University
  • College of Social Science
  • Department of Political Science (PLS-General, Pre-Law, World Politics, or Public Policy)

You must meet the graduation requirements of each unit. In addition, you will need to choose elective coursework to achieve the minimum number of 120 credits for a degree.

Specific Degree Requirements

  • University Requirements

    WRITING REQUIREMENT—The Tier I writing requirement is fulfilled by successful completion of WRA 101 or 195H.  The Tier II portion of your writing requirement is fulfilled by the completion of a designated 300-400 level course in your major.  These course titles are followed by a “W”.

     

    MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT— Two of the following courses: MTH 101, 102, 103, 114, 124, 132, 152H, or 201; or STT 200 or 201.  Students may test out of one math course requirement via the Mathematics Placement Exam

     

    INTEGRATIVE STUDIES REQUIREMENT—The Integrative Studies requirement includes the completion of coursework in the Arts & Humanities, the Social Sciences, and the Biological and Physical Sciences. Students must complete 24 credits in the Integrative Studies courses (IAH, ISS, ISB, ISP, and lab). 

     

    Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities—8 credits

    • IAH 201-210
    • IAH 211+

     

    Integrative Studies in Social Science—8 credits

    • ISS 2XX
    • ISS 3XX

     

    Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences*—8 credits

    • ISB 2XX
    • ISP 2XX
    • 2 Credits of ISB/ISP Lab

     

    DIVERSITY REQUIREMENT - Must include at least two courses in National, International, and Diversity from the following combinations: N&I; N&D; or I&D.  The letter will be found after the IAH/ISS course title. 

     

  • College of Social Science Requirements

    Breadth Requirement

    The College of Social Science requires each student to complete a breadth requirement.  The requirement can be fulfilled by completing any of the following: (1) any minor in the College of Social Science, with a maximum of two courses from the student’s primary major counting towards requirements of the minor; (2) a second degree or additional major within the College of Social Science; (3) a second degree or additional major in a college other than the College of Social Science; or (4) a minor outside of the College of Social Science. A maximum of two courses from the student’s primary major may count towards requirements of the minor.

    It is encouraged that you meet with your College of Social Science academic advisor to discuss which option is best for your degree plan.

    A list of the minors within the College of Social Science can be found here. A full list of minors available can be found here. 

     

     

    EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING REQUIREMENT

    All students within the College of Social Science must complete an experiential learning requirement.  The experiential learning requirement may be satisfied either within or outside the requirements of the major.  The requirement may be met by completing a 3 or 4-credit experiential learning course, approved by the College of Social Science Committee on Curriculum and Academic Policy or its designee.  A list of approved courses is maintained by the College of Social Science on their website here.  Many students complete this requirement by successfully completing a study abroad, a study away, an internship or by conducting research with a faculty member.

  • Political Science - General

    Complete a minimum of 33 credits in Political Science with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in PLS coursework.

     

    Required:

    • PLS 200 Introduction to Political Science (3 credits)

    Choose two:

    • PLS 100 Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 160 Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
    • PLS 170 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 201 Introduction to methods of Political Analysis (3 credits)
    • PLS 202 Introduction to Data Analytics and the Social Sciences (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 392 Special Topics in Political Science (3-4 credits)
    • PLS 397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 422 Seminar in Political Science (3 credits)
    • PLS 481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (3 credits)

     

    PLS 300-400 level requirement: Complete a minimum of five courses in Political Science at the 300-400 level.

     

    Distribution Requirement: At least one course is required from the three following subfields: 1) American Politics, 2) Comparative Politics and International Relations, and 3) Political Philosophy. These courses may meet the 300-400 level requirement.

    • American Politics: PLS 100, PLS 301-334
    • Comparative Politics: PLS 140, PLS 342-358
    • International Politics: PLS 160, PLS 360-369
    • Political Philosophy: PLS 170, PLS 370-379
  • Political Science Pre-Law

    Complete a minimum of 33 credits in Political Science with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in PLS coursework.

     

    Required:

    • PLS 100 Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 200 Introduction to Political Science (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 160 Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
    • PLS 170 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 201 Introduction to methods of Political Analysis (3 credits)
    • PLS 202 Introduction to Data Analytics and the Social Sciences (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 392 Special Topics in Political Science (3-4 credits)
    • PLS 397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 320 Judicial Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 321 Constitutional Law (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 422 Seminar in Political Science (3 credits)
    • PLS 481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (3 credits)

    PLS 300-400 level requirement: Complete a minimum of four courses in Political Science at the 300-400 level.

     

    Distribution Requirement: At least one course is required from the two following subfields: 1) Comparative Politics and International Relations, and 2) Political Philosophy. These courses may meet the 300-400 level requirement.

    • Comparative Politics: PLS 140, PLS 342-358
    • International Politics: PLS 160, PLS 360-369
    • Political Philosophy: PLS 170, PLS 370-379
  • Public Policy

    Complete a minimum of 33 credits in Political Science with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in PLS coursework.

     

    Required:

    • PLS 100 Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 200 Introduction to Political Science (3 credits)
    • PLS 494 Field Experience in Political Science (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 201 Introduction to methods of Political Analysis (3 credits)
    • PLS 202 Introduction to Data Analytics and the Social Sciences (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 392 Special Topics in Political Science (3-4 credits)
    • PLS 397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 310 Public Administration and Policy Making (3 credits)
    • PLS 313 American Public Policy (3 credits)

    Choose four:

    • PLS 301 American State Government (3 credits)
    • PLS 302 Urban Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 310 Public Administration and Policy Making (3 credits)
    • PLS 313 American Public Policy (3 credits)
    • PLS 324 Congress (3 credits)
    • PLS 325 The Presidency (3 credits)
    • PLS 332 Political Parties and Interest Groups (3 credits)
    • PLS 342 Comparative Political Economy (3 credits)
    • PLS 362 American Foreign Policy and National Security (3 credits)
    • PLS 363 International and Domestic Political Conflict (3 credits)
    • PLS 364 Politics of the United Nations and International Organizations (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 422 Seminar in Political Science (3 credits)
    • PLS 481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (3 credits)
  • World Politics

    Complete a minimum of 33 credits in Political Science with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in PLS coursework.

     

    Required:

    • PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 160 Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
    • PLS 200 Introduction to Political Science (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 201 Introduction to methods of Political Analysis (3 credits)
    • PLS 202 Introduction to Data Analytics and the Social Sciences (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 392 Special Topics in Political Science (3-4 credits)
    • PLS 397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics (3 credits)

    Choose five:

    • PLS 342 Comparative Political Economy (3 credits)
    • PLS 344 Politics of Developing Areas (3 credits)
    • PLS 345 Religion and World Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 346 Middle East Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 347 Democratic Regimes (3 credits)
    • PLS 351 African Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 352: Latin American Politics (3 credits)
    • PLS 354 Politics of Asia (3 credits)
    • PLS 356 Politics of Europe and the European Union (3 credits)
    • PLS 357 Politics of English-Speaking Democracies (3 credits)
    • PLS 358 Politics of the U.S.S.R. and Its Successor States (3 credits)
    • PLS 362 American Foreign Policy and National Security (3 credits)
    • PLS 363 International and Domestic Political Conflict (3 credits)
    • PLS 364 Politics of the United Nations and International Organizations (3 credits)

    Choose one:

    • PLS 422 Seminar in Political Science (3 credits)
    • PLS 481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (3 credits)

     

  • Major Checklists

    Political Science - General

    Political Science - Pre-law

    Public Policy

    World Politics

  • Sample Four Year Plans

    Political Science General 4 Year Plan

    Political Science Pre-Law 4 Year Plan

    Public Policy 4 Year Plan

    World Politics 4 Year Plan

Handbooks

Political Science Outstanding Senior Lindsey Sullivan receives her degree. Photography by Jackie Belden Hawthorne, College of Social Science.

Undergraduate