Undergraduate: BA, Minor Concentrations: Advanced, American Politics and Public Affairs, Comparative, General, International, and Public Law Graduate: MA, MA/JD, PhD, PhD/JD
Advisement
After acceptance into the major or minor, students may consult with a departmental advisor for assistance in understanding departmental and university requirements for the degree. Advisor office hours are posted at the department office, 520 Park Hall.
Acceptance Information
Students should apply for admission to the major in political science no later than the beginning of their junior year. To become eligible, students must have completed two political science courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0, and have a minimum UB GPA
of 2.0. Applicants should bring a copy of their current UB DARS report directly to the Department of Political Science. Prospective majors are encouraged to complete the department's required courses:
PSC 101 during their first semester, and PSC 200 or PSC 393 or PSC 408 during their second semester.
Academic Requirements
Please note that a minimum GPA of 2.0 in both the major and overall is required for graduation.
Transfer Policy
Credit for political science courses completed with a passing grade at other colleges or universities may be granted in instances where comparable courses exist within the department at UB. The department gives transfer credit for a maximum of five political
science courses. Where applicable, transfer courses may be used to meet specific departmental requirements.
SUNY Seamless Transfer Path
SUNY Seamless Transfer is a SUNY-wide program intended to make transferring to UB and other SUNY Schools simple and efficient for SUNY students. SUNY has defined
courses that SUNY students can take before transferring which will apply to the major at UB and ensure timely graduation.
Information about the Transfer Path for this major can be found on the SUNY Website.
Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor or department to discuss how their coursework will apply to their degree.
Political Science - B.A.
General And Advanced Concentrations And Concentrations In Public Law, American Politics And Public Affairs, International Politics, Comparative Politics
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the prerequisite courses.
Advising Note
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major required for graduation. Minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and in the major is required for all internships.
Prerequisite Courses
Any two political science courses.
Required Courses
Twelve PSC courses, distributed as follows: PSC 101 Introduction to American Politics A second required course, choose from one of the following: PSC 100,
PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 104. Seven 300/400-level PSC courses,
up to two of which may be from: PSC 496 Washington Semester Internship, PSC 496 Community Internship Program,
PSC 496 New York State Senate and Assembly Internship, PSC 497 Honors Thesis, PSC 499 Independent Study One methods of inquiry course: PSC 200 Empirical Political Science, PSC 393 Game Theory and
Politics, or PSC 408 Basic Statistics for Social Science. Acceptable substitutions: SOC 294, ECO 480,
PSY 207,
STA 119, SSC 225, MGQ 301, and GEO 410. At least one course in any three of the following four fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, public law.
Note: Some concentrations have additional required courses.
Undergraduate Credit Requirements Chart
Credits Required for Major
37
Additional Credits Required for UB Curriculum
35
Additional Credits Required for Electives
48
Total Credits Required for Degree
120
Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements & Learning Outcomes
View the Finish in Four Curricular Plan which is a recommended sequence of courses to help achieve this degree in four years. Each concentration is listed below
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:
Scholarship in three of the following four fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public law a. Be able to identify and discuss important scholarly debates and research
questions in their chosen fields b. Demonstrate the ability to recognize and apply key concepts and major theories in their chosen fields
Developing writing skills to intellectually communicate their ideas and research findings about political topics a. Develop the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in writing b. Develop
the ability to effectively take a position and defend an argument against criticism c. Be able to write an essay or paper presenting a clear thesis supported by relevant research
Develop the analytical skills necessary to think critically about political, social, and economic behavior a. Be able to identify and critically evaluate the arguments of scholarly research in political science. b. Engage in conceptual analysis and theoretical interpretation of political ideas and phenomena c. Develop the ability to analyze a scholarly question in political science by drawing logical inferences
from qualitative and/or quantitative data
Develop an understanding of their role as an engaged citizen in a democratic political system a. Be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of government policies b. Develop an awareness of the
global dynamics that influence the context of domestic and international politics c. Develop the ability to apply social scientific reasoning in the analysis of a wide range of political issues and problems
Electives and Course Groupings
Public Law List PSC 215 Law and the Political Process PSC 225 Equality and Justice in the United States PSC 301 Cases in Civil Liberties PSC 302 Protecting Civil Liberties PSC 303 Constitutional Law PSC 305 Judicial Politics PSC 401 Advanced Civil Liberties PSC 430 Human Rights PSC 470 Legal Political Theory PSC 480 Advanced Constitutional Law PSC 492 Pre-law Honors Seminar
Political Science - Minor
Required Courses
PSC 101 Introduction to American Politics and one course from the following list: PSC 100, PSC 102,
PSC 103 or PSC 104. One methods of inquiry course: PSC 200 Empirical Political Science, PSC 393 Game Theory and Politics, or PSC 408 Basic Statistics for Social Science. Acceptable
substitutes: SOC 294, ECO 480, PSY 207, STA 119,
SSC 225, MGQ 301, and GEO 410. Three 300/400-level PSC courses;
at least one must be in comparative politics, international relations, or public law. One additional political science courses in any field at any level.
Minor Credit Requirements Chart
Total Credits Required for Minor/Certificate
12
Minors and certificates must be completed in conjunction with a major and all university degree requirements must be met.
Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.