Political Science Major
The political science major focuses on the processes by which community values are translated into public choices. Political scientists use what they know about politics and political behavior to develop normative positions regarding desirable features of political systems. This major is the most flexible degree program that we offer, allowing you to focus on any of the fields of political science as well as all of the methods of inquiry featured in the discipline.
Major requirements will depend on your planned graduation date and/or declaration date. Review the information below to determine the applicable major requirements.
- A minimum of seven courses must be taken at Emory University or Oxford College. Political Science majors may receive credit for up to four courses taken outside of Emory (study abroad programs, Bard Globalization and International Affairs & Washington Semester Programs, transfer, and transient credits) that have been approved by the department.
- Students may not double major in Political Science and International Studies.
- No courses taken pass/fail (S/U) may count toward the major. This means that courses taken abroad in non-Emory approved programs, which receive only S/U grades, cannot count toward the major. The only exceptions are the Washington Semester Program and the Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program. Students may apply up to eight hours (two courses) of Washington Semester or Bard credit as electives to satisfy Political Science major requirements. However, students may not apply both Washington Semester and Bard credit toward the Political Science major.
- One elective course can be satisfied by either a POLS 496: Internship or a POLS 497: Directed Study. In addition, one elective course can be satisfied by either a POLS 387: Directed Research (CLSS) or POLS 399: Directed Research in Political Science.
- Major status does not guarantee enrollment in any particular course. Some classes may require course prerequisites or other requirements for enrollment.
- Courses cross-listed between Political Science and another department or program will count as Political Science courses.
- Courses that are designated as research classes are NOT focused exclusively on research. In most cases the course is quite similar to other Political Science classes, except that it contains a major research paper and discussions, activities, and/or assignments addressing best practices in political science research on a regular basis throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to contact the professor to determine the parameters of the major paper in the research class.
- Students must maintain at least a C (2.0) average to complete the major.
Political Science majors must complete at least 36 semester hours from departmental offerings or from courses of study approved by the department. These courses must include the following:
- Any TWO 100-level introductory courses (POLS 100, 110 & 120)
- QTM 100: Introduction to Statistical Inference*
- POLS 208: Political Science Research Methods**
- Any Research course (POLS 394/494 or “RSCH” in title)***
- Any Political Theory course
- Any five POLS electives:
- POLS 100-400
- POLS 300+
- POLS 300+
- POLS 300+
- POLS 300+ or POLS 200/210/220
*Appropriate substitutes for QTM 100 include: QTM 220, ECON 220, POLS 310, ISOM 350 and MATH_OX 117Q.
** Must complete QTM 100 or approved substitute as a pre-requisite.
*** May carry pre-requisite of POLS 208, review details on OPUS.
Political Science majors must complete at least 36 semester hours from departmental offerings or from courses of study approved by the department. These courses must include the following:
- POLS 111: Principles of Political Science
- QTM 100: Introduction to Statistical Inference*
- POLS 208: Political Science Research Methods**
- A Research course (POLS 394/494 or “RSCH” in title)***
- A Political Theory course (100-400 level)
- Four upper-level electives (300-400)
- Two electives at any level (100-400)
*Appropriate substitutes for QTM 100 include: QTM 220, ECON 220, POLS 310, ISOM 350, BUS 350, and MATH_OX 117Q.
** Must complete QTM 100 or approved substitute as a pre-requisite.
*** May carry pre-requisite of POLS 208, review details on OPUS.