Political Science, National Security, BA
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, National Security (370018BA)
More on the Political Science, National Security major
This degree track will prepare students for the study and practice of national security. Thus, the degree track will help educate students for a career in international diplomacy, the Intelligence Community, the military, private intelligence and security contractors, law enforcement, business, as well as others.
The following information has official approval of The Department of Political Science and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 34 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Requirements | 14 | |
| Required Courses | 15 | |
| Track Core Electives | 6 | |
| Core Electives | 9 | |
| Additional Credits for Graduation * | 42 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| * | Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. |
Note: A 2.2 cumulative GPA is required for graduation.
General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete three tiers of General Education coursework. Tiers I and II provide students with foundational skills and breadth of disciplinary knowledge. Tier III courses require students to integrate knowledge, understand diverse perspectives, and think critically about complex issues. Courses tagged for Tier III may also fulfill major or Disciplinary Area requirements. | ||
| Tier I: Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Quantitative Reasoning: 3 credit hours 1 | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
| Tier II: Disciplinary Areas | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
| Tier III: Tagged Courses | ||
Select one class from each of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Systems | ||
Critical Thinking | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
| Total Hours | 34 | |
| 1 | At least three credits must come from one of the courses listed. |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree requirements in Arts & Sciences include the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language. | ||
| Foreign Language | 14 | |
101 Beginning I | ||
102 Beginning II | ||
201 Intermediate I | ||
202 Intermediate II | ||
| Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only) | ||
| Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops | ||
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 3700:100 | Government & Politics in the United States | 3 |
| 3700:150 | World Politics & Government | 3 |
| 3700:300 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| 3700:301 | Introduction to Political Research | 3 |
| 3700:303 | Introduction to Political Thought | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Track Core Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete six credits: | 6 | |
| International Politics & Institutions | ||
| American Foreign Policy Process | ||
| Homeland Security Policy and Process | ||
| Terrorism: Perpetrators, Politics and Response | ||
| National Security Intelligence | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Track Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete nine credits: | 9 | |
| Politics of Developing Nations | ||
| Terrorism and the Constitution | ||
| Weapons of Mass Destruction | ||
| Political Extremism & Violence | ||
| Politics in the Middle East | ||
| International Security Policy | ||
| Global Public Health Threats | ||
| Wealth and Power Among Nations | ||
| Climate Crisis: Global Warming, Renewable Energy, and Related Policy Issues | ||
| Al Qaeda and ISIS | ||
| Counterterrorism | ||
| Intelligence Analysis | ||
| The Supreme Court & Constitutional Law | ||
| Human Rights in World Politics | ||
| Selected Topics in Political Science | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |