Political Science Major
Political Science is a popular liberal arts major. We have
approximately 170-200 majors, and we offer a wide range of courses
covering American and Comparative Politics, International Relations,
Public Policy, Political Theory, and Public Law. Our courses
help student develop their critical thinking and analytical skills,
and build competence and confidence in oral and written
communication. Former UWSP Political Science majors can be
found working in a wide range of jobs: as staffers in the U.S.
Senate, environmental lobbyists in Washington D.C., and in
managerial positions in federal, state, and local governments.
We have a few graduates serving in the U.S. military, teaching in
public and private schools, and working in private industry for
banks, insurance companies, and other corporations. We also
have graduates who are now lawyers in private practice, prosecutors,
and defense attorneys, and we have had a few graduates clerk for
federal and state judges as part of their legal training.
For students interested
law school, political science is one of the most
frequently selected majors. In 2006, 25% of our graduates
enrolled in law school. In fact, UWSP had the sixth largest
cohort of students enrolled in law school at UW-Madison, the most of
any of the UW comprehensives. The Political Science Department
provides much of the pre-law advising on campus. Interested
students should contact Professors John Blakeman or David Williams
for more information. Students should also consult the
Law School Admissions Council
Website AND the American Bar Association's resources on
preparing for a legal education.
A
major in
Political Science consists of at least 36 credits,
including Poli Sci 101 (American Politics) and 160 (Comparative
Politics) or 180 (International Politics); Poli Sci 203 (Research
Methods); 18 or more credits in courses numbered
300 and above; and at least 3 credits in 4 of the 5 fields:
American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations,
Political Theory, and Public Policy.
Students must have a 2.5 GPA among political science courses in
order to graduate with a Political Science Major.
It is
recommended that students take Poli Sci 101
(American Politics), 160 (Comparative Politics), 180 (International
Relations), 203 (Research Methods) and 270 (Political Theory)
prior
to taking 300 and 400 level courses in the major.
Political Science Minor
A
minor in Political Science consists of at least
21 credits, including PS101 and 160 or 180; 9 or more credits in
courses numbered 300 and above; and at least 3 credits in 4 of the 5
fields.