Political Science Degree (B.A), American Politics Concentration

Political Science Degree (B.A), American Politics Concentration

Requirements

Program Description

Students wanting to earn a degree in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics must complete a specific set of requirements for the concentration as defined below, in addition to the required coursework for the Political Science major.

Requirements for the Political Science Major

39 total credits are required to fulfill this major's requirements, as defined below:

  • 12 credits of Political Science Core courses 
  • 12 credits within the chosen concentration
  • 15 credits of additional Political Science electives

Students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Options for  and  concentrations should expect to complete 18 credits within their concentration, and 9 credits of elective coursework.

Students transferring in coursework from other schools must complete a minimum of 18 credits in Political Science at Westfield State University.

The Department of Political Science encourages students to participate in internships. Students may apply up to 6 Internship credits toward the 39 credit major.

  • 3 of these Internship credits may be applied to the concentration.
  • Up to 3 of these Internship credits may be applied toward the 18-credit minor.

For details about Political Science Internship credits, please click here to view the department's Internship manual, or contact the department.

Required Major Core Courses (12 credits)

  • Required Major Courses
  • Students must select one of the following political theory courses:
  • (Additional theory courses may qualify with department chair approval)

Required Electives (9-15 credits)

Students must complete 15 credits of additional Political Science coursework.

Students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Options for  or  concentrations should expect to complete 9 credits in this area.

American Politics Concentration - 12 credits

Courses that examine how American government - local and national - functions and how policies are formulated and implemented in the United States (12 credits: choose four, at least two at the 300-level).

  • * Additional courses may count with department chair approval.
Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the  and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in  or .

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate critical political thinking, reading, writing and speaking skills.
  • Students will identify and articulate an ideological stance.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative political research of others, and conduct their own political research.
Westfield State students in discussion