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POLITICAL SCIENCE

You can elevate your understanding of the political landscape with a Political Science degree from Oklahoma City University. Our dynamic program blends theory with real-world applications, empowering you to analyze and influence political processes. With a diverse and engaged faculty, OCU fosters an environment where critical thinking and global perspectives thrive. Benefit from small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Whether aspiring to contribute to governance, advocacy, or international relations, OCU's Political Science program equips you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the modern political arena. Join us to shape the future of civic leadership.

As a political science major, you'll choose between five areas of emphasis, four of which will prepare you for specific careers:

  • Liberal Arts
  • Pre-Law
  • International Affairs
  • Pre-Professional
  • Public Management

Credit Hours: 30–42

Political Studies: 30 hours

Field of Political Philosophy - Choose One

  • POLS 3513 Political Philosophy
  • POLS 4313 Contemporary Political Theory

Field of International Relations and Comparative Politics - Choose One

  • POLS 2513 International Relations
  • POLS 3603 International Organization
  • POLS 3613 U.S. Foreign Policy
  • POLS 3913 Politics of the Developing World
  • POLS 4163 International Terrorism
  • POLS 4513 International Law
  • POLS       Any Area Studies Course*

Field of U.S. Politics - Choose One

  • POLS 2413 Legislative Behavior
  • POLS 3003 Public Administration
  • POLS 3213 State and Local Government and Administration
  • POLS 3413 Power and Political Organization
  • POLS 3503 Election Seminar
  • POLS 3713 U.S. Presidency
  • POLS 4703 Public Management and Policy Analysis

Additional Political Studies Requirements: 21 hours

  • SOC 2303 Introduction to Social Science Research
  • POLS 4863 Senior Seminar
  • Departmental electives (15 hours)

*Area Studies Courses

  • POLS 3013 European Politics and Government
  • POLS 3203 Modern Southeast Asia
  • POLS 3263 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
  • POLS 3803 Political Islam

Prelaw: 34-36 Hours

Field of Political Philosophy - Choose One 

  • POLS 3513 Political Philosophy
  • POLS 4313 Contemporary Political Theory

Field of International Relations and Comparative Politics - Choose One

  • POLS 2513 International Relations
  • POLS 3603 International Organization
  • POLS 3613 U.S. Foreign Policy
  • POLS 3913 Politics of the Developing World
  • POLS 4163 International Terrorism
  • POLS 4513 International Law
  • POLS          Any Area Studies course*

Field of U.S. Politics - Choose One

  • POLS 2413 Legislative Behavior
  • POLS 3003 Public Administration
  • POLS 3213 State and Local Government and Administration
  • POLS 3503 Election Seminar
  • POLS 3713 U.S. Presidency
  • POLS 4703 Public Management and Policy Analysis 

Additional Pre-Law Requirements: 25-27 hours

Choose from the following courses: 13-15 hours

  • POLS 1012 Introduction to Legal Studies
  • POLS 3213 State and Local Government and Administration
  • MGMT 2213 Business Law
  • POLS 4114 Constitutional Law
  • POLS 4113 Legal Writing
  • POLS 4513 International Law
  • POLS 4613 The Politics of Law

Required POLS courses for Pre-Law: 6 hours

  • POLS 4863 Senior Seminar
  • Political Science elective (except POLS 1113)

Nondepartmental Electives from the following for Pre-Law: 6 hours

  • CJ 1003 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • ENGL 2303 Critical Reading and Writing
  • PHIL 2163 Moral Issues in Contemporary Culture
  • PHIL 2213 Introduction to Moral and Social Philosophy
  • PHIL 2713 Critical Thinking
  • PHIL 3713 Symbolic Logic

*Area Studies courses

  • POLS 3013 European Politics and Government
  • POLS 3203 Modern Southeast Asia
  • POLS 3263 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
  • POLS 3803 Political Islam

International Relations: 33 hours

Field of Political Philosophy - Choose one

  • POLS 3513 Political Philosophy
  • POLS 4313 Contemporary Political Theory  

Field of International Relations and Comparative Politics - Choose one

  • POLS 2513 International Relations
  • POLS 3603 International Organization
  • POLS 3613 U.S. Foreign Policy
  • POLS 3913 Politics of the Developing World
  • POLS 4163 International Terrorism
  • POLS 4513 International Law
  • POLS Any Area Studies course* 

Field of U.S. Politics - Choose one 3

  • POLS 2413 Legislative Behavior
  • POLS 3003 Public Administration
  • POLS 3213 State and Local Government and Administration
  • POLS 3503 Election Seminar
  • POLS 3713 U.S. Presidency
  • POLS 4703 Public Management and Policy Analysis 

Additional International Relations Requirements

  • CJ 2303 Introduction to Social Science Research
  • POLS 4863 Senior Seminar
  • Advanced foreign language

Five Courses from the Following: 15 hours

  • POLS 2513 International Relations
  • POLS 2713 Regional Geography
  • POLS 3603 International Organization
  • POLS 3613 U.S. Foreign Policy
  • POLS 3913 Politics of the Developing World
  • POLS 4163 International Terrorism
  • POLS 4513 International Law
  • Any Area Studies course* 

*Area Studies Courses

  • POLS 3013 European Politics and Government 
  • POLS 3203 Modern Southeast Asia 
  • POLS 3263 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa 
  • POLS 3803 Political Islam
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