Current Bachelor Degree in Political Science Student Information

Our program, in the heart of downtown Denver, is the perfect place for students who are curious about why systems are the way they are, who possesses power and why, and what can be done to impact and change power structures.听We prepare students for informed and creative activism by providing hands-on opportunities to supplement high-quality instruction in political science subfields. Our undergraduate students are connected with opportunities for legislative internships, professional networking, research, publication, and study abroad programs in Germany and South Korea.听听

Our graduates go on to make a difference in their communities and the world as organizers, attorneys, legislators, educators, public relations specialists, consultants, lobbyists, and more. Take a look at our amazing alumni! With mentorship from exceptional faculty, students are supported in all areas of their academic journey, from application to the start of their career.

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Studying political science offers a thorough understanding of governmental structures, political leadership, and public policy. It helps you develop critical thinking abilities听required to analyze complicated political situations and understand听motivation听behind political decisions and actions.听

Political听science is about curiosity. We explore听what we don't know about political institutions and ideologies, and challenge our thinking to develop broader perspectives. You'll learn how to use scientific methods to investigate political events, allowing you to add new insights and perspectives to the field.听

The Political Science Department听creates diversity and invites students from various backgrounds to attend and study in our program. We recognize the importance of differing view points, and the value of engaging in dialogue when view points differ.听This dialogue generates听well-rounded students able to address the interests and concerns of many communities.听

Our undergraduate advisor, Karen Breslin, is available to help students navigate their academic and career options in the subjects of political science. Whether you're looking for advice on course options, internship possibilities, or graduate school preparation, our advisor is here to help you on your journey at CU Denver.

Pi Sigma Alpha inductees posing for group photo

Forming connections within听the Political Science Department is important for your academic and professional development. Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Honor Society for Political Science, and provides a great deal of professional development opportunities for students. Connections formed in Pi Sigma Alpha听extend beyond the classroom, allowing for cooperation and networking with classmates, teachers, and advisors.听

General Requirements

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PSCI Program Requirements

39 credit hours
21 credit hours of upper division (3000 and up) courses
Minimum grade of a C- (1.7) in all courses
Minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.0
15 PSCI credit hours with CU Denver Faculty

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Majoring in Political Science

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science听gives you an extensive background in all subfields of Political Science, including comparative politics, American politics, international relations, and political theory, with a special emphasis on experiential learning.听

Earning a BA in Political Science will provide you a great deal of professional choise in career upon graduation. With related occupations (political scientists, public relations specialists, compliance officers) growing between 6 and 18% from 2018-2022, our program will set you up for success.听Many courses are offered online.听

Course topics听include:

Human Rights
Legal Studies
Gender Politics
Race and Ethnic Politics
Middle East Politics
International Relations
American Politics
Urban Politics
European Politics

Electives and/or foreign language proficiency听

Foreign language courses may be satisfied if you鈥檝e taken a certain number of classes in high school. These electives give you the freedom to dive deeper into topics or courses that interest you.

Planning your graduate experience as an undergrad

Driven and dedicated undergraduates will likely consider graduate study following the completion of their undergraduate degree. We encourage interested political science students to consider our 4+1 program, which allows undergrads to begin completing masters level coursework and overlaps up to 15 credits. It is wise to begin building relationships with faculty, exploring extracurricular programs, and connecting with other students to form community and make professional connections during this time.听

Find your next Political Science Course

Go to the听

Select "CU Denver" for Institution
Enter the semester and year
Select "Denver Campus"
NOTE: Online courses are listed under "Denver Campus"; New Directions courses are listed under "Extended Studies."
Enter "PSCI" in the Subject field
Hit search

Political science has many possibilities and can be linked with other degrees. In many circumstances, there will be a crossover with another degree, so ask an advisor before pursuing a dual degree.

The BS in poltical science is well suited for those going into fields, including:

Government
Law
Nonprofit Organization
Journalism

Learn more about the political science major听

Undergraduate Options:

Political Science Courses
Professional听Certificates听
"4 + 1" Dual BA/MA Degree Plan
CU Succeed Dual Enrollment

Political Science Minor听

Do you want to add political science to your degree but aren't ready to take a dual degree? You can add a political science minor. Topics include:

Gender and Politics听
Media and Politics听
Political Economy听
International Relations听
Global Governance听
Public Administration听

Learn more about the political science minor

Declare a PSCI Major or Minor:
1. Meet with听 to declare their major or minor.

2. Meet with your PSCI Advisor, Karen Breslin.听

3. Meet with your CLAS Academic Advisor.听

Running a Degree Audit:听

1. Log into your UCD Access

2. Scroll to quick links and select "Degree Audit"

3. Select your audit and click "Run Audit"听

4. Select "Political Science Major: General Requirements"

Lawyer

Journalist

Political Scientist

Foreign Service Officer

Policy Analyst

Legislator

Public Relations Specialist

Lobbyist

Social Media Manager

Educator

Learning Goals & Objectives for Undergraduates

In their introductory classes, and continuing at successively higher levels across their departmental studies, Political Science students will consistently improve their:

1. Knowledge of the role of political action and political systems in shaping human cultures and socio-economic patterns, including:

Knowledge of the American Political System Knowledge of political systems across history and world region Knowledge of theoretical foundations of political systems and political values Ability to compare political systems in their differing abilities to deliver public welfare Knowledge of the processes, institutions and actors involved in globalization This knowledge will be focused by engagement with the fundamental questions of political life, both contemporary and enduring.听听 Students will place themselves in conversation with multiple political and moral perspectives, including those outside of the traditional Western canon, by developing their own positions and by seeing how their positions build from and contribute to these perspectives.

2. Intellectual and Practical Skills, including:

Inquiry and analysis 鈥� Critical thinking 鈥� Creative thinking 鈥� Written communication 鈥� Oral communication 鈥� Reading Ability 鈥� Quantitative literacy 鈥� Information literacy 鈥� Teamwork 鈥� Problem solving These skills will be applied to evaluate conflicting arguments, assemble and present empirical evidence using appropriate methods of research and data analysis, make reasoned conclusions from the evidence available, and prepare professional and persuasive presentations regarding those conclusions.

3. Personal and Social Responsibility, including:

Civic knowledge and engagement鈥攍ocal and global Intercultural knowledge and competence Ethical reasoning and action Foundations and skills for lifelong learning This responsibility will be anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges (including internships, service-learning and other experiential learning opportunities) that allow students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.听 In these experiences, students will apply critical thinking skills to solve collective problems in a manner that improves the public good.

4. Integrative/Holistic and Applied Learning, including:

Completion of department course work across a range of political science subfields Application of insights from other programs of study to enhance their political understanding and practical skills This learning will be demonstrated through the application of integrative and holistic knowledge and skills to foster purposeful civic commitments, to produce effective oral and written presentations, and to develop practical skills for continual personal and professional development.

Assessing Learning Objectives

The Department of Political Science conducts annual assessments of student progress towards departmental learning objectives. Assessments are typically targeted towards different categories of courses in different years. For example, one year the department might assess all 鈥渆xperiential learning鈥� courses, while another year we might assess our 鈥渃ore curriculum鈥� courses, and in another year we might assess our study abroad courses. In some years, the department conducts a broader assessment of department-wide progress towards learning objectives across many different courses. The specific strategies typically utilized in our annual assessment process are a mixture of the following: 鈥� Direct Assessment of Course-Based Learning. The Political Science Department reviews student exams, written papers, oral presentations and final portfolios for targeted classes during its assessment 鈥� Student Self-Assessment Surveys. The Political Science Department often embeds a student self-assessment survey into its assessment process. The survey collects students鈥� self-assessment of their own intellectual growth, knowledge gained, and level of change in political aptitudes, skills, attitudes and engagement level during their time in our classes and department. Informal assessments include a review of student FCQ comments and other informal verbal feedback from students. 鈥� Master鈥檚 Capstone Assessment. The Political Science Department periodically assembles a team of faculty to review all master鈥檚 theses or projects submitted for oral defense in an academic year, to conduct an assessment of progress towards learning objectives among our master鈥檚 students.

The听听for the BA in Political Science is different for in-state and out-of-state students. See the link for the current table of rates.

Department Scholarships

Each year, the Political Science Department awards a听variety of scholarships ranging from $500-$1500. The scholarship cycle runs each October.听

University Scholarships

Each year, CU Denver students are awarded over $30 million in scholarships from institutional, local, state, and听national sources.听听

Student Employment Opportunities

Student work opportunities are available via听听to offset the cost of enrollment.听

Admission requirements听

You can apply at CU Denver using either the Common Application or the Milo Application, no matter whether you are an in-state or international applicant. Transfer students are needed to submit the Milo Application.

Incoming first-year students听

CU Denver requires that students complete the 黑料网官网 Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR). You will not have to meet all Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) for admission, but you will need to听complete CU Denver coursework by graduation.听

Transfer Students听

We have strong connections with other four-year and community colleges.听If you have completed more than 24 hours of transferable coursework, you will be evaluated for admission on the basis of your college GPA without regard to your high school performance. If you have fewer than 24 hours, you will be evaluated based on both your high school and college GPAs. For more information and to plan your transfer, see听听in the admissions office.听

International Students听

You will need to begin your application through the听.听They will help you manage your application process.听

Fall

Domestic Application:听August 1
International Applications:听Priority is听March 15, and Final is听May 15

Spring

Domestic Applications:听January 1听
International Applications:听Priority is September听15, and 鈥‵inal is听October 15听

Summer

Domestic Applications:听May 15
International Applications:听Priority is听January 15, and鈥� Final is听March 15

PSCI 1001 鈥� Introduction to Political Science: The Quest for Freedom and Justice听

Section E01: 听Harvey Bishop, online