At which campus can I study this program?
Requirements for a minor may be completed at any campus location offering the specified courses for the minor. Students may not change from a campus that offers their major to a campus that does not offer their major for the purpose of completing a 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
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 18 credits in Political Science, include at least one course in each of the following areas: American, Comparative, International Relations, and Theory 1 | 18 | |
| 1 | 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
http://starfish.psu.edu
http://www.la.psu.edu/current-students/undergraduate-students/education/majors-and-minors
Altoona
Matt Evans
Associate Professor of Political Science
Smith Building C129I
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5782
mde15@psu.edu
Harrisburg
Matthew Woessner, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, W160
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6489
mcw10@psu.edu
World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
301 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3283
advising@outreach.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
http://www.polisci.la.psu.edu/undergraduate/advising
http://www.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
http://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/political-science/request-information
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Olmsted Building, W160
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6648
jzr701@psu.edu
http://harrisburg.psu.edu/public-affairs/political-science-and-public-policy/minor-political-science
World Campus
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
220 Pond Lab
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7515
ajh38@psu.edu
https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/political-science-minor/overview