Offered in: Chicago

Political Science is the study of government and political thought. Students majoring in Political Science study how the formal and informal institutions of power shape our lives. Course in this major grapple with a range of problems facing governments and their publics: how to best implement democratic institutions;  how to increase turnout in elections; how to foster cooperation between governments to address global crises such as climate change and inequality; how to hold the powerful accountable; and how to safeguard the rights of oppressed and marginalized groups. 

A major in Political Science is appropriate for students considering careers in law, political campaigns and elections, public policy, social justice advocacy, foreign service and diplomacy, non-governmental organizations, intelligence work, civil service, and many more. 

Political Science majors are encouraged to pursue a minor in related and complementary fields, such as Journalism, International Studies, Sustainability Studies, and History. Students who anticipate applying to law school should strongly consider a minor in Legal Studies. Students interested in political theory may want to consider a concentration in Political Philosophy.

Requirements

• Students must complete 11 courses in the major, with at least five courses at the 300 level.
• All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C or higher (minimum GPA of 2.0).
• Transfer students must take at least six Political Science courses at Roosevelt University.
• Students planning to attend law school are strongly encouraged to pursue a minor in Legal Studies. 
• Students planning to pursue graduate study in Political Science should discuss with their advisors appropriate courses of study in languages and statistics.
• The major offers upper-level credit for internships. Please see your advisor for details.

CORE Requirements (General Education)

¹

Higher level of Math may be required by major

²

Coursework must come from outside of students' major discipline

³

A maximum of 9 credits can be applied from a single discipline towards humanities and social science requirements

These quantitative requirements also apply to degrees.

• Students must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours.
• Students may apply no more than 60 credit hours of 100-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must apply no fewer than 60 credit hours of 200- and 300-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must have at least 18 credit hours (of the 60 credit hours above) at the 300 level.
• Students may transfer in no more than 70 credit hours from community colleges.
• Students earning less than 60 total hours in residence must take their final 30 hours at Roosevelt University. Note that some majors have additional requirements for RU hours.
• Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to graduate. Note that some majors have additional GPA requirements.
• Students may apply no more than 51 hours in the major (BA) or 57 hours in the major (BS)

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change; however you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program so always consult your degree audit in Degree Works.

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

¹

Or course towards an optional Minor.

²

Any course at the 200 level within the discipline.

³

Any course at the 300 level within the discipline.

⁴

Experiential Learning class must be 200/300 level. Satisfies CORE Experiential Learning requirement. EXL courses can satisfy major requirements/electives or CORE requirement.

⁵

One Natural Science course must have a lab.