Political Science B.A.

University Admissions - College of Arts and Sciences

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

• Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx

• Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx

• International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

For Admission information specific to the College of Arts and Sciences, see the information at College of Arts and Sciences .

Graduation Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences

Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

• Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
  • The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
• Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
• ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree. 
• When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees.  All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
• Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
• The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
• Complete all major course requirements.
• College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.

Required Courses: (45 credit hours)

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Political Science B.A. (6 credit hours)

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program. 

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

• POS X041 American Government OR POS X000-X999 Political Science OR INR X000-X999 International Relations OR CPO X000-X999 Comparative Politics - 3 credit hours
• POS X000-X999 Political Science OR INR X000-X999 International Relations OR CPO X000-X999 Comparative Politics - 3 credit hours

State Mathematics Pathway – Political Science B.A. (6 Credit Hours)

The Political Science B.A. uses the Mathematical Thinking in Context Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

• MGF 1130 - Mathematical Thinking Credit(s): 3
• STA 2122 - Social Science Statistics Credit(s): 3

Major Core Courses: 4 courses; 12 credit hours*

• CPO 2002 - Introduction to Comparative Politics Credit(s): 3 *

• OR INR 2002 - Introduction to International Relations  Credit(s): 3*

• Note: Either CPO 2002  or INR 2002  must be taken as a core course. The course that counts toward the major core is dependent upon the course the student took to satisfy the common course prerequisites. The other may be taken as a major elective.

• POS 2041 - American National Government Credit(s): 3 *
• POS 3713 - Empirical Political Analysis Credit(s): 3
• POT 3003 - Introduction to Political Theory Credit(s): 3

•  

  * These courses also meet the state common prerequisite requirement and are not additional credits.

Supporting Required Course: 1 course; 3 credit hours

The following course is a supporting course for this major.  The degree will not be awarded if this course has not been taken by the end of the student’s final semester.

• ECO 1000 - Basic Economics Credit(s): 3

• OR ECO 2013 - Economic Principles (Macroeconomics)  Credit(s): 3 

  OR ECO 2023 - Economic Principles (Microeconomics)  Credit(s): 3 

Major (Restricted) Elective Courses: 8 courses; 24 credit hours

Additional Information - Political Science B.A.

Research Opportunities - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914  course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research is able to assist with further inquiries. 

Advising Information - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Advising Information

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Advising Team provides students with support to create timely graduation plans that will integrate both their academic and professional goals.  Each of our undergraduate programs has dedicated professional advisors with specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, undergraduate research, and career opportunities in their field.  Additionally, we have dedicated pre-health and prelaw advisors to help students prepare for admission to professional graduate programs.

CAS Academic Advisor Contact information can be found here: CAS Advisors

To schedule an advising appointment: Advising Appointments

Plans of Study - Political Science B.A.

•  Political Science B.A. - 2 Year Plan of Study 
•  Political Science B.A. - 4 Year Plan of Study