Bachelor's Degree
For questions specific to the Political Science Department Undergraduate Programs, contact the Academic Advisor: Jessica Taverna |
All students pursuing degrees and certificates through the Political Science Department must also fulfill any University of Utah requirements for graduation.
For complete information concerning the Undergraduate Program at the University of Utah, consult the Student Handbook.
To complete either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science, students must first delcare a major in Political Science. The Political Science Department at the University of Utah does not offer a Minor in Political Science, however the International Relations Certificate and the Minor in Campaign Management open to any degree-seeking majors, regardless of field.
Bachelor Degree Requirements
| Major Requirements Checksheet |
In each required course, the student must earn a C- or better and all courses must be taken for a grade . In addition, the student must maintain an overall GPA of C or above in the major (excluding allied hours).
- 34 Credit Hours - Political Science (POLS) Courses (must be taken for a grade)
Overall cumulative GPA must be a minimum of 2.00- 13 Credit Hours - Required Courses (grade must be C- or better)
- 21 Credit Hours - Upper-Division Level (3000-5999), with a minimum of 9 credit hours completed from courses listed between 5000 and 5999
- 12 Credit Hours - Allied Department Courses (must be taken for a grade)
Four Required Courses:
POLS 1100 U.S. National Government (3)
Core Classes (two of three):
POLS 2100 Introduction to International Relations (3)
POLS 2200 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 2300 Political Ideologies (3)
POLS 5810 Senior Seminar (4)
Upper-division Classes in Political Science 21 hours at 3000- to 5999-level, including at least 9 of the 21 hours at 5000- to 5999-level. The Senior Seminar, POLS 5810, may not be included in the 21 elective hours at the 5000-5999 level.
A maximum of five (5) internship hours may be counted toward a degree.
Allied Course Work
At least 12 hours in related departments: Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Family and Consumer Studies, Gender Studies, Geography, History, Middle East Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and Urban Planning.
Transfer students majoring in political science must take a minimum of 15 political science credit hours at the University of Utah to fulfill graduation requirements. (No internship hours may be included in the required 15 hours.)
Bachelor of Arts
- Requirements for the Political Science Major
- GPA 2.00 minimum
- University of Utah Language Requirement
Bachelor of Science
- Requirements for the Political Science Major
- GPA 2.00 minimum
- Two Upper-Division Quantitative Intensive Courses
Completing an Honors Degree within Political Science
If you are interested in completing an Honors thesis as part of either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, you should first contact the department's Academic Advisor for complete details of the Honors process. You must be admitted by the University of Utah Honors Program to participate.
A political science major who wants to graduate with an honor's degree must complete an Honors thesis within the political science department. The department Honors Advisor and the Honors Supervisor (chosen from eligible faculty) oversee this process and grant final approval of the thesis for the department. The department chair's signature is also required.
| Honors Degree Requirements |
A Serious Undertaking
An Honors thesis must meet the highest standards for quality research and writing, so students must be prepared to invest considerable time and effort in producing their thesis. If the time investment is not feasible, a student can graduate with the Honors Certificate.
Required Orientation
| Sign up for Orientation |
As a new University of Utah student, you are required to attend an orientation before registering for your first semester. At orientation, you will receive a comprehensive explanation of everything you should do to make your undergraduate experience complete.
The Office of Orientation offers many different types of orientation programs to meet the needs of all incoming students. The type of program you should attend will depend on which semester you are starting and if you are a Freshman or a Transfer student.
Declaring Your Major
| Political Science Major Requirements Checksheet |
Students are required to declare a major by the end of their sophomore year (when you have reached 60 cumulative credit hours).
You must meet with the Academic Advisor in order to have your major declared, so it is to your advantage to declare Political Science as early as possible in order to get the best advising and guidance from the department.
Your Academic advisor can also assist you in choosing classes that will fit best with your goals for the future, including the courses that are required from allied departments.
You will want to have a copy of both the Political Science Major Requirement Checksheet and the University Graduation Requirement Worksheet when you meet with the Academic Advisor in order to plan your courses.
| University Graduation Requirement Worksheet |
Graduation Information
To graduate from the University of Utah, you need to apply in advance. Failure to apply on time may delay your graduation.
| TERM | DEADLINE TO APPLY |
| Spring Graduation (May): | November 1 |
| Summer Graduation (August): | February 1 |
| Fall Graduation (December): | June 1 |
*If a graduation deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted without a fee through the next business day.
**Applications will not be accepted more than one year in advance.
| Applying for Graduation |