Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, B.A.


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Program Coordinator: Ryan Salzman, Department of Political Science, Criminal Justice and Organizational Leadership 

The major in political science provides a comprehensive understanding of politics. It does so by acquainting students with the literature of the discipline in six different areas (American politics, comparative politics, international politics, law, political theory, and public policy) and by equipping students with methodological tools necessary for sound and critical analysis of political institutions of behavior and of processes by which public policy is formed. The faculty also seek to engage students in a partnership of research and other scholarly endeavors.

There are 36 hours of required classes for the Bachelor of Arts. In addition, students are required to complete 15 hours of political science electives.

Special graduation requirements: Students majoring or minoring in any of the programs offered by the Department of Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership must earn at least a C- in each course counted as part of their program.

Four-Year Plan: Click here  to view the Four-Year Plan for this specific program. To find out more about Four-Year Plans, visit the Policies and Procedures  page.

♦  Indicates prerequisite.

Degree Requirements (45 credits)


Electives (four courses)


12 hours of upper level electives (300/400-level PSC courses), which can include PSC 204  (formerly PSC 304). Students can also count three hours total of elective credit from PSC 392  (directed research), PSC 496  (internship), or PSC 499  (directed readings).

Additional program information


  • The Bachelor of Arts is conferred upon those students completing all requirements for the major or minor in political science and other NKU requirements for the degree, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all major coursework and earning at least a C- in each course counted.
  • Double Dipping: Only two courses meeting these degree requirements may also be used to satisfy general education requirements. As per department policy, students majoring in any programs within the department are permitted to reuse no more than 1 course (3 credit hours), from the major, towards a Focus Area or 2 courses (6 credit hours), from the major, towards a minor (where applicable).
  • PSC 496  and PSC 499  cannot count toward secondary requirements.

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