Undergraduate Degrees and Programs
- Bachelor of Arts - or - Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor Degree with Honors
- International Relations Certificate
- Minor in Campaign Management
All students pursuing degrees and certificates through the Political Science Department must also fulfill any University of Utah requirements for graduation. 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).
Requirements for a Major in Political Science:
- 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
Undergraduate Major Requirement Checksheet
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.
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.
International Relations Certificate
The Department of Political Science administers an interdisciplinary academic program in international relations that can be used to structure a program of studies for the political science major, or a minor or outside field work for students majoring in other departments. The certificate program introduces students to the many facets of international politics and provides them with a solid foundation from which to pursue studies in the field at the graduate level, or to show prospective employers in business or government a commitment to international relations. The program consists of nine courses, five required courses which are to be chosen from within political science (plus prerequisite to the core course, POL S 5800) and three from other related departments. The student is also urged to acquire a knowledge of a foreign language. Some students may want to focus on a specific aspect of international relations or a particular geographic region. Study for the certificate usually is undertaken in conjunction with a major such as political science, history, economics, sociology, or geography. Students who wish to work toward the certificate must submit a program of study to the program director at least three semesters prior to graduation, obtain approval for course choices, and report to the director the semester before they intend to graduate. The certificate in international relations is granted to students who meet the University's requirements for graduation with a bachelor's degree, including the curriculum of the International Relations Program. Students must pass all required courses and maintain a 2.8 GPA in program courses. All students who wish to work toward the certificate must submit a Program of Study to the Department of Political Science at least three semesters prior to graduation, and report courses and grades to the director in the semester before they intend to graduate.
International Relations Certificate Application Packet
Minor in Campaign Management
Minor in Campaign Management is offered by the College of Social and Behavioral Science and administered by the Hinckley Institute of Politics. This interdisciplinary program is designed for students from diverse fields of study who have an interest in participatory politics. The degree is open to any and all University of Utah students, regardless of their declared major.
For more information on the Campaign Management Minor, students must apply through the Hinckley Institute of Politics:
