Political Science and Public Administration

 


Political Science Alumni

Internship Opportunities

Program Requirements



Bachelor of Arts
in Political Science

MSU's BA in Political Science degree is one of the best in the country, as reflected in our students winning so many Truman Scholarships. MSU is among an elite group of universities in the nation to have received the Truman Honor Institution Award, granted by this prestigious foundation based in Washington D.C. An objective assessment of our undergraduate program was provided recently by an external reviewer, Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Auburn University, Dr. Robert A. Bernstein, who has studied many universities across the nation. He writes:

"I have never seen a more successful undergraduate major program than at MSU... At MSU, the major is filled with students who are better than those in most other majors. Their students have higher SAT/ACT scores and win more national scholarships than do students elsewhere on campus. The undergraduates I met with were rabidly enthusiastic about the program and the department...While at MSU, students are taught in small classes by superior teachers. They are guided by one of the university's top advisors, Diane Wall. Honors classes are offered and faculty are willing to direct Honors theses. Outstanding students get strong travel support from the Stennis Center. Training is also available for top students interested in pursuing national awards such as Truman, Rhodes, and Madison Fellowships."

All new students are advised by Dr. Rick Travis. They may be reassigned after becoming more established in the department.

 

Political Science majors are pleased to find that most of their Political Science classes are relatively small, some enrolling fewer than 20 students. They have discovered that Political Science offers three different Honors courses every year, more than any other department. Small classes facilitate intense but friendly student-faculty interaction. This Political Science majors are challenged to engage in some serious self-examination, and writing and reasoning skills are be put to the test.

 

Requirements for the B.A. Degree in Political Science

Fall 2005 Curriculum (graduating then or later)
Mississippi State University
New Student
Dr. Rick Travis
(662) 325-7866

The following information provides the basic requirements for graduation. In some instances, exceptions to the policy indicated on this sheet may be granted upon written request to the Undergraduate Committee and the Associate Dean. Advisors should first verify the MSU OASIS Advising Report with the Checksheet (dated 8/03) and then use the Advising Report in conjunction with the following information.

REQUIREMENT: COURSES OR CREDIT HOURS NEEDED:

English Composition EN 1103 or [1163 or Honors] and EN 1113 or [1173 or Honors]
Mathematics/Statistics Two courses, MA 1313 or substitution of MA 1303 and one other, from College list; or one course only if first course is MA 1613 or higher MA. Must have C or better in MA 1313 to take second MA/ST at MSU.
Speech CO 1003 or [1093] or AS 3013 & 3023 for AFROTC students.
Foreign Language FL_2133 is only required. FL_1113, 1123, are not required because each year of high school credit substitutes for one of these college courses respectively if in the same language. Students may take a placement exam with credit awarded when first enrolled at MSU.
Natural Science Three courses from College list, one must be life sciences with lab and another must be physical science with lab. Be sure to watch for overlapping courses.
English/Literature One literature course required from College list. (EN 2203 excluded if had either honors composition).
History One course from College list.
Philosophy One course
Humanities Three courses from EN, HI, PHI, or REL (not all from same discipline)
Economics EC 1033 or EC 2133. For some careers, EC 2113 and EC 2123 are recommended. EC 1033 overlaps both semesters of Principles, so no credit allowed for them.
Social Science Six courses of which two must be on the college list. Only allowed one EC and maximum of two courses in any of the other disciplines. Can double count courses listed to meet our departmental requirements, such as PS 1113 and another PS introductory course, EC 1033 or EC 2113 or EC 2123. The acceptable disciplines are: AN, GR, PSY, or SO (Except GR 1114 which is a natural science). Only CO allowed is CO 1223 and CO 1403.
Fine Arts One course from College list.
Political Science PS 1113 (H01) and three of the four introductory courses: PS 1313 (H01), PS 1513 (H01), PS 2703 (H01), and PS 2403.
PS 4464 (Jr/Sr writing course and computer literacy proficiency class) is required.
Seven upper division (3000+) courses from three of our four areas.
Also note that community college state/local government course is a pure elective, not an intro or upper division course.
Residency At least 31 upper division Arts & Sciences credits must be taken at MSU (EC courses allowed.) 2000 level must have been earned before Spring 1996 semester. Correspondence courses are excluded. The last 31 credits earned must be from MSU unless approved by the Associate Dean (get form in the PS office).
Total Credits Minimum of 124 credits approved for the degree. Some excluded courses are: any MA below 1303, EN below 1103, more than 2 credits of PE activity. Do not rely on the report of total credits earned printed on the grade sheets. To earn 124 credits, you will have about 20 credits pure elective coursework.
Quality Points Must have quality points sufficient to have a 2.0 MSU and cumulative GPA for all courses attempted. This may lead to more than the 124 credits required. (credit hours attempted x 2 QPT = QPT required).

 

 

Page maintained by
Erin Holmes
Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Department Phone:  662.325.2711
Department Fax:  662.325.2716
Mailing Address:  P. O. Box PC
Mississippi State University, MS  39762
Department Office:  105 Bowen Hall

Last Updated:  August 27, 2007