MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Bachelor of Arts)
View the requirements for the BA in Political Science
Learning objectives
Students completing a major in political science need to demonstrate knowledge of the political world both here in the United States, in other countries around the world, and in the realities of politics between states. This includes normative theories of political behavior as well as the actual institutional, cultural, and interpersonal processes and theories explaining how they work. Students also need to demonstrate critical thinking and information acquisition skills, expertise in oral and written communication, quantitative and information literacy, and creative problem solving. Students should emerge from the program ready to engage the world politically, using their own political power to shape the world around them. Each course, and the overall structure of the program, aims to further one or more elements of these objectives.
The Major
The Political Science major consists of 13 courses (39 credits). The curriculum is divided into three general areas:
American Institutions and Politics
Theoretical Approaches to Politics
Foreign and International Politics
While majors may choose to focus their studies on one of these areas, they are required to develop a solid intellectual foundation and understanding that spans all three and to approach the study of Political Science within the broader context of the social sciences. Politcal science majors are highly encouraged strongly to take advantage of opportunities to engage in experiential learning at Rutgers. These opportunities include the Washington Internship Semester, various Study Abroad program, local internships supervised by the department, and 1.5 credit courses offered at the 200 level.
To be eligible to declare the major
A student must complete at least two 100 level Political Science courses with an average grade of C or better. These courses can be counted toward major credits.
Students will then take one 300-400 level course in the following areas
Research Methods
Political Philosophy
American Institutions and Politics
International and Comparative Politics
Students will also pursue 15 credits of Political Science electives
- 12 credits must be 300- of 400- level courses
- Majors are able to enroll in an additional lower level course to fulfill 3 credits of the 15 credit requirement.
- No more than 3 credits may be used from 1.5 credit mini courses
- No more than 6 credits may be used from internship, independent study, or senior honors thesis.
- No more than 12 credits may be used from non-Rutgers New Brunswick courses.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all courses.
As a junior or senior, students enroll in one Political Science Seminar
Open only to Political Science majors, these small classroom seminars delve into analysis, discussion, and research of topics in political science.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all courses.
For Students Declaring The Political Science Major Between And July 2014 And July 2021
To become a Political Science major, a student must complete TWO 100 level Political Science courses with an average of C or better. These courses can be counted toward major credit.
Majors must complete TWELVE 3-credit courses (OR eleven 3-credit courses and two 1.5-credit courses) in Political Science with a grade of C or better, including:
- The introductory course in "Theoretical Approaches to Politics":
- At least one of the following introductory courses in "American Institutions and Politics":
- At least one of the following introductory courses in "Foreign and International Politics":
- At least one 300- or 400-level course in each of these three areas: "Theoretical Approaches to Politics", "American Institutions and Politics" and "Foreign and International Politics". Click here for a complete list.
- 01:790:395 Political Science Seminar* (taken after reaching junior status)
- 5 additional 3-credit courses.
NOTE: No more than one 01:790:395 (Political Science Seminar) may be counted for major credit.
The Political Science courses for the major may include:
- No more than 12 credits of 100 level course work.
- No more than 6 credits of independent study, internships, or thesis work, or any combination of these.
- No more than 3 credits of mini-courses (i.e. 1.5 credit courses).
No more than four Political Science courses (12 credits) taken outside the Rutgers-New Brunswick/Piscataway Department of Political Science may be applied to the major.
For Students Declaring The Political Science Major Between 2005 And June 2014
To become a Political Science major, a student must complete TWO 100 level Political Science courses with an average of C or better. These courses can be counted toward major credit.
Majors must complete ELEVEN 3-credit courses (OR ten 3-credit courses and two 1.5-credit courses) in Political Science with a grade of C or better, including:
- The introductory course in "Theoretical Approaches to Politics":- 01:790:101 (The Nature of Politics)
- At least one of the following introductory courses in "American Institutions and Politics":
- At least one of the following introductory courses in "Foreign and International Politics":
- No more than four 3-credit courses at the 100 level
- At least one 300- or 400-level course in each of these three areas: "Theoretical Approaches to Politics", "American Institutions and Politics" and "Foreign and International Politics". Click here for a complete list.
- 790:395 Political Science Seminar* (taken after reaching junior status)
NOTE: No more than one 790:395 (Political Science Seminar) may be counted for major credit.
- The Political Science courses for the major may include:
- No more than 12 credits of 100 level course work.
- No more than 6 credits of independent study, internships, or thesis work, or any combination of these.
- No more than 3 credits of mini-courses (i.e. 1.5 credit courses).
- In addition, majors must complete with a grade of C or better two 3-credit courses in each of any two of the following cognate departments:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- History
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Religion
- Sociology
- No more than four Political Science courses (12 credits) taken outside the Rutgers-New Brunswick/Piscataway Department of Political Science may be applied to the major. No winter session courses from any Rutgers campus or another university/college may be applied toward the major.
