Major in Political Science

Political science is the study of politics and political action in society. It explores how political decisions are made, how institutions function, and how individuals and groups influence public policy—both in the United States and around the world.

The field encompasses a wide range of topics: from international agreements and organizations to grassroots citizen activism and the workings of local, state, and national governments. It examines electoral systems, political parties, and judicial processes across different political systems, offering a comparative perspective on how politics operates in diverse cultural and institutional contexts. Political science also engages with fundamental normative questions about justice, authority, and the purpose of political life. It recognizes that politics is not confined to legislatures or elections—it is woven into every aspect of society, shaping the world we live in and continually evolving through the actions of people and institutions alike.

The department’s curriculum is distributed across five subfields of the discipline: American politics, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy. Course work across the discipline's subfields is complemented by a required support option. Support options include a minor in another department; an interdisciplinary minor; the second language support option; the methods support option, or a second major.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1. Reason through political claims and assertions by political actors.
2. Recognize and respond to diverse ideological perspectives.
3. Locate political issues and controversies within their relevant institutional and historical contexts.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with the institutional processes of politics in numerous global and domestic political arenas.
5. Demonstrate confidence in expressing opinions and presenting analyses of political problems and their solutions.

Accelerated Program

The major in Political Science includes an accelerated program option for students to graduate on a faster schedule. Accelerated Programs typically include 15-16 credits each fall and spring semester for three years, plus 6-9 credits over two to three summer sessions. Students who enter CSU with prior credit (AP, IB, transfer, etc.) may use applicable courses to further accelerate their graduation. Visit the Office of the Provost website for additional information about Accelerated Programs.

Potential Occupations

The Political Science major, like other disciplines within the liberal arts, offers students a versatile and rigorous academic foundation that prepares them for a wide range of careers in both the public and private sectors. Students develop the ability to think independently and critically, to observe and listen with discernment, and to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively. The program emphasizes problem-solving, adaptability, and the capacity to engage effectively in diverse professional environments.

Graduates are well-equipped to navigate a multicultural, global society and to thrive in dynamic and complex settings. The skills gained through the major are applicable across many industries, as demonstrated by the diverse career paths of our alumni. These include roles such as public and nonprofit managers, prosecutors, policy analysts and consultants, federal law enforcement agents, legislators and legislative aides, foreign service officers, attorneys, demographers, criminal investigators, urban planners, environmental analysts, state budget officers, public relations specialists, market researchers, educators, international business professionals, lobbyists, and journalists.

Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in fields such as law, international relations, public administration, public policy, area studies, and business management—further expanding their career opportunities and impact.

Concentrations

Students may complete the general Political Science major or select one of the following concentrations for a more specialized course of study.

• Environmental Politics and Policy Concentration
• Global Politics and Policy Concentration
• Law, Politics, and Government Concentration
• Power, Justice, and Democracy Concentration
• Public Policy and Service Concentration
• U.S. Government, Law, and Policy Concentration (no new students are being admitted into this concentration)

For further information on declaring the Major in Political Science, please schedule an appointment with a College of Liberal Arts Academic Success Coordinator by calling 970-491-3117 or visiting Hartshorn 129.

Change of Major

To change your major to Political Science, you can either call the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center at 970-491-3117, or send them an email. 

Effective Spring 2025

Political science majors must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.000) in each of the political science (POLS) courses counted toward meeting the requirement of the major. Students may enroll in either the standalone major or (at most) one of the concentrations under the Major in Political Science.

Political Science, Upper-Division

At least 24 credits of upper-division political science courses must be completed for the major. The 24 credits include the senior capstone course, POLS 492, at least 3 credits of AUCC 4A and 4B in addition to POLS 492, and at least one upper-division course in each of the following five subfields.

American Politics and Law

Political Theory

International Relations

Comparative Politics

Public Policy and Administration

 Other Possible Elective Courses Under the 24-Credit Requirement

Support Options

Political Science majors must complete one of the following five Support Options.

Minor or Interdisciplinary Minor Support Option

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Select a minor or interdisciplinary minor in consultation with advisor.		21-24

Student-Selected Course Group Support Option

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
A program of courses proposed by student and approved by advisor containing a minimum of 21 credits, of which at least 12 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).		21

 Second Major Support Option

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Select a second major in consultation with advisor. This option may require as much as 36 credits. Credit range shown is approximate, and may require more or less, depending on the second major chosen.		27-36

Foreign Language Support Option

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
A minimum of 5 courses totaling at least 15 credits in a single foreign language, including at least 2 courses of language instruction or in the language at the upper-division level.		15-22

Methods Support Option^​2 

¹

Students may select a 500-level POLS graduate course with approval of advisor and the instructor to fulfill a maximum of 3 credits of the 24-credit upper-division requirement.

²

Students choosing the Methods Support Option must take POLS 320. Credits earned in POLS 495 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

³

Select a minimum of 24 upper-division (300- to 400-level) courses as described above in the Political Science, Upper-Division list.

⁴

In addition to POLS 492 students must select at least one course from among the courses listed in the five subfields (see Political Science, Upper-Division list above), for a minimum of 3 credits, that meets the AUCC 4A/4B requirement for the major.

⁵

Students must have completed at least 12 credits from POLS 300 – 499 classes in order to enroll in POLS 492.

⁶

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

Political science majors must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.000) in each of the political science (POLS) courses counted toward meeting the requirement of the major. Students may enroll in either the standalone major or (at most) one of the concentrations under the Major in Political Science.

At least 24 credits of upper-division political science courses must be completed for the major. The 24 credits include the senior capstone course, POLS 492, at least 3 credits of AUCC 4A and 4B in addition to POLS 492, and at least one upper-division course in each of the following five subfields.