Nov 04, 2025

2024-2025 General Catalog

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2024-2025 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, B.A.

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General Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements (124 Cr.)

Major Requirements (Minimum 30 Cr.)

POLS 120 - The Government of the United States Credits: 3
POLS 130 - Comparative Politics Credits: 3
POLS 240 - Political Theory Credits: 3
POLS 493 - Senior Seminar in Political Science Credits: 3

One concentration from the following options:

General Political Science: 18 Cr.

18 additional credits of Political Science courses

Legal Studies Concentration: 18 Cr.

At least fifteen of the remaining eighteen Political Science credits from the following options:

POLS 170 - The Field of Law Credits: 1
POLS 261 - State and Local Politics in the United, States Credits: 3
POLS 271 - The Judicial Process Credits: 3
POLS 290 - Topics in Political Science Credits: 3 (when topic is appropriate)
POLS 352 - Model United Nations Credits: 3
POLS 371 - Constitutional Law: Separation of Powers and Federalism Credits: 3
POLS 372 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Credits: 3
POLS 386 - Internship in Political Science Credits: 1
POLS 390 - Adv Topics in Poli Sci I Credits: 3 (when topic is appropriate)
POLS 450 - Intl Regimes and Global Governance Credits: 3
POLS 490 - Adv Top: Poli Sci II Credits: 1 (when topic is appropriate)

Public Policy and Administration Concentration: 18 Cr.

POLS 290 - Topics in Political Science Credits: 3 (when topic is appropriate)
POLS 360 - Public Administration Credits: 3
POLS 361 - Public Policy Credits: 3

At least nine credits from the following options:

POLS 210 - Research Methods in Political Science Credits: 3
POLS 221 - Political Behavior Credits: 3
POLS 261 - State and Local Politics in the United, States Credits: 3
POLS 271 - The Judicial Process Credits: 3
POLS 320 - Politics of Urban and Metropolitan Areas Credits: 3
POLS 326 - The Presidency Credits: 3
POLS 327 - Congress Credits: 3
POLS 386 - Internship in Political Science Credits: 1 (when topic is appropriate)
POLS 390 - Adv Topics in Poli Sci I Credits: 3 (when topic is appropriate)
POLS 437 - Comparative Public Policy Credits: 3
POLS 438 - Gender & Public Policy in Global Perspec Credits: 3
POLS 490 - Adv Top: Poli Sci II Credits: 1 (when topic is appropriate)

Degree Map

Freshman Year

Fall: Semester 1

VUE 101 - Valparaiso University Experience: Exploring Values Credits: 4
World Language General Education Course Credits: 4
Humanities General Education Course Credits: 3
POLS 120 - The Government of the United States Credits: 3

Total Credits: 14

Spring: Semester 2

VUE 102 - Valparaiso University Experience: Finding Your Voice Credits: 4
World Language General Education Course Credits: 4
Natural Science (+Lab) General Education Course Credits: 4
POLS 130 - Comparative Politics Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Sophomore Year

Fall: Semester 3

POLS 240 - Political Theory Credits: 3
Writing Intensive Course (WIC) Credits: 3
Minor Course Credits: 3
THEO 100 - The Christian Tradition Credits: 3
Natural Science (+Lab) General Education Course Credits: 4

Total Credits: 16

Spring: Semester 4

POLS Elective Credits: 3
POLS Elective Credits: 3
Social Science General Education Course Credits: 3
Humanities General Education Course Credits: 3
Minor Course Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Junior Year

Fall: Semester 5

POLS Elective Credits: 3
Minor Course Credits: 3
Minor Course Credits: 3
THEO (upper level) Credits: 3
XS 101 - Wellness and Stress Credits: 1
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16

Spring: Semester 6

POLS Elective Credits: 3
Minor Course Credits: 3
Minor Course Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 18

Senior Year

Fall: Semester 7

POLS 210 - Research Methods in Political Science Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Spring: Semester 8

POLS 493 - Senior Seminar in Political Science Credits: 3
POLS Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Additional courses:

Total Credits: 124

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