The study of political science focuses on what governments do, and how what they do affects everyone.

Courses in political science will help you make sense of the debates, power struggles, laws, policies, and wars that shape our lives. Understanding the political process can help you become a more effective participant in local, state, and national politics, and provide some insights into complex international affairs.

Political science is a versatile area of study for those seeking careers in government, law, and the private sector. Congressional aides, elected officials, lobbyists, and journalists all require knowledge of government and politics. Many political science graduates are employed by federal, state, or local governments.

Political science is one of the most desirable undergraduate majors for law school aspirants. Lawyers are among the nation’s top-paid professionals. Especially needed are specialists in international business, the environment, and labor mediation.

Recent dramatic changes in international affairs will almost certainly expand private sector employment opportunities for people knowledgeable about foreign governments and international politics. Political science courses also provide substantive knowledge for potential social studies teachers.

For more information on career opportunities, see the comprehensive employment assistance and job listings data base of the American Political Science Association and other specialized guides to the job market.

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in political science.

Major in Political Science
The major in political science offers a systematic study of politics, including the way people are governed or govern themselves in a wide variety of settings. The curriculum includes fundamental principles, the enduring issues of politics, forms of government, public policy, public law, and public administration, from both domestic and international perspectives. By enabling students to understand the role of government at local, state and national levels in domestic and foreign settings, the program prepares graduates to become more effective global citizens.

Requirements for the Major
A degree with a major in political science requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Coursework for a major in political science includes the following:

• First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)


LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or MATH 106 or a higher-level math course
Δ GVPT 100 Introduction to Political Science (3)
 

• Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)


• Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)


• Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)


• Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (49)
  (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)



• Detailed Degree Description

Total credits for BS in Political Science: 120

Minor in Political Science
The political science minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing a systematic study of politics and government. It exposes the student to basic concepts, theories, policies, and the role of government at local, state, and national levels in domestic and foreign settings.

Requirements for the Minor
A minor in political science requires the completion of 15 credits of coursework in that field, at least 9 of which must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). If a specific course required for the minor is taken instead to satisfy the requirements for the major, another course in the same discipline should be substituted to fulfill the required minimum number of credits for the minor. Any course used to replace an upper-level course should also be classified as upper level.

Employers and the military recognize a college degree as a major academic achievement. An associate or bachelor's degree from UMUC distinguishes you as a graduate of one of America's leading public universities.

UMUC participates in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Degree Programs for Military Personnel, so you can complete your degree in Asia or at a future duty location.

Your UMUC degree may be closer than you realize. Learning acquired through military experience, examinations, and course work from other schools may be applied to your degree. UMUC may accept as many as 45 credits from these sources toward an associate degree and up to 90 credits toward a B.A. or B.S. degree.

A wide variety of online courses in computer studies and other fields are available through UMUC's distance education (DE) programs, and are helping many students make progress towards UMUC degrees. For lists of courses offered, visit the UMUC Asia DE Web site and click on “Schedule of Classes.”

Contact a UMUC Academic Advisor to arrange for an evaluation of your course work and experience to determine where you stand in your degree program.

1. Begin with GVPT 100 Introduction to Political Science or GVPT 170 American Government. Both courses introduce basic concepts and methods in political science.

 

2. Along with GVPT 100 or GVPT 170, take basic courses in English, history, and in the other social sciences. These courses will provide a foundation for all your subsequent course work in political science. They also help fulfill UMUC’s General Education Requirements.

 

3. Take STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics or another statistics course early in your college career. A statistics course will help you understand the material covered in many GVPT courses, and is sufficiently important that it is required for a major in political science

 

4. Most GVPT courses in UMUC Asia focus on American politics, international relations, and comparative government. Your interests and career ambitions should guide your choices. Some GVPT courses may be applicable to other fields such as Asian Studies.

 

5. To make yourself more marketable, take courses in fields that enhance your study of political science. You could include courses in business and management, history, sociology, economics, and Asian Studies.

 

6. Pay attention to politics. Read newspapers and journals that analyze the events of the day. Employers and law schools often favor those with experience in political organizations or evidence of leadership and analysis skills.

UMUC Asia Academic Advisors are based at Yokota, Kadena, and Yongsan, and also travel frequently to most education centers. They advise students in person, by telephone, and by e-mail, and prepare evaluations of students’ academic progress. Your local UMUC Asia Field Representative can put you in touch with an Academic Advisor.

UMP-104 (4M 9/06)