Political Science, Minor

Program Description

The Political Science minor consists of 18 credits with at least one course in each of the following Political Science areas: American, theory/methodology, comparative, and international relations. Six (6) of these 18 credits must be at the 400 level.

When electing this minor, the student should have junior (fifth-semester) standing. Special attention should be given to the fact that courses used to satisfy general education, degree requirements, electives, and major requirements may also be used to satisfy minor requirements.

What is Political Science?

Political science is one of the social sciences. It is the study of systems of governance and governmental institutions, political activity, political thought, and political behavior. Political science draws from many other academic disciplines, including economics, law, sociology, history, philosophy, geography, psychology, and anthropology. There also are subfields of political science, such as comparative politics, political theory, international relations, international law, public administration, and public policy. Political science students study how American government works (and doesn't work) and what can be done to improve government at the federal, state, and local level. In comparative government and international relations course work, students study the politics and policies of other countries. Political theory courses examine the ideas of famous political philosophers, while courses on law and the legal process provide knowledge about the criminal justice and civil litigation systems.

You Might Like This Program If...

You are in a major where your intended career is increasingly involved with governmental regulation or policy or if you want political or law background. It may lay the ground for better understanding your own field. It will also help you make sense of an increasingly complicated political world that confronts them in their own roles as citizens. A minor in political science is designed for students who want to improve their ability to deal intelligently and critically with issues and ideas about government and politics.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

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Select at least 6 credits at the 400 level.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Altoona

Matt Evans
Associate Professor of Political Science
Smith Building C129I
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5782
mde15@psu.edu

Berks

Randall E. Newnham
Professor of Political Science
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6177
BKPoliticalSci@psu.edu

Harrisburg

Juliette Tolay, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted W160
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6080
jtolay@psu.edu

World Campus

Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu

Career Paths

A minor in political science can add depth to a variety of majors. For example, if students are interested in a career in medicine, public health or business, it can help them understand how the political system shapes regulations that will impact their professional lives. If students are studying philosophy or history, political science can add social science analytical tools to complement what students are learning in their study of the humanities. If a student is interested in becoming a lawyer, studying political science is invaluable in providing a basic grounding for studies in the law.

Careers

The political science minor is excellent supplemental preparation, in addition to a student's major, for a career in law, public service, Foreign Service, non-profit organizations, business and education.

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
202 Pond Lab
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-4597
https://polisci.la.psu.edu/undergraduate/advising/

https://polisci.la.psu.edu/

Altoona

DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Smith Building C129I
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5782
mde15@psu.edu

https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/minor-programs/political-science/request-information

Berks

HASS DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6177
BKPoliticalSci@psu.edu

Harrisburg

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Olmsted Building, W160
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6648
aqk5884@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/public-affairs/political-science-minor

World Campus

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
202 Pond Lab
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7515
ajh38@psu.edu

https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-political-science-minor