Department: School of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Science (GISSA)
Study your environment through Geospatial Science at UW-Stevens Point. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is one of today’s more pervasive high-growth employment sectors and sees a clear need for people with a solid education and robust skills in GIS. Employment numbers are growing nationally at a rate of 15% per year and are anticipated to accelerate (U.S. Department of Labor).
GEOG 341 – Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3
GEOG 343 – Geographic Information Systems II Credits: 3
GEOG 377 – Remote Sensing I Credits: 3
GEOG 477 – Remote Sensing II Credits: 3
Electives- 6 Credits:
Choose from:
GEOG 260 – Introduction to Cartography: Map Conceptualization and Development Credits: 3
GEOG 342 – GIS Database Design and Data Modeling Credits: 3
GEOG 433 – GIS and Geodesign for Sustainability and Resiliency Credits: 3
GEOG 480 – Internship in Geography Credits: 1-12 (may only apply 3 credits)
WATR 391 – GIS Applications in Natural Resources Credits: 3
Law and Policy
The Law and Policy Minor prepares students for a range of careers in law oriented fields. The minor is excellent preparation for law school, and the course selection provides you with some of the skills and knowledge recommended by the American Bar Association for law school preparation. If you’re not interested in law school, the minor will also prepare you for many other careers in which an understanding of law, regulation, and public policy are crucial. Careers in public policy and administration, local, state, and federal government, or in the private sector in consulting firms that focus on public problems, environmental affairs and regulation, or human resources, are some of the possibilities.
This interdisciplinary minor draws on the study of law and legal institutions to prepare students to make an impact in society. Students will learn to analyze law and public policy from the perspective of different disciplines including political science, business and economics, sociology, philosophy, and psychology. The Law and Policy Minor is recommended for students who are interested in law school.
The minor is fulfilled with 24 credits as outlined below. Visit UW-Stevens Point course catalog for more.
Internships in law-related fields are also possible and strongly encouraged.
Required Courses, 9-10 credits:
POLI 212 – Law and Legal Systems Credits: 3
Take 3 credits from:
POLI 330 – Constitutional Law Credits: 3
POLI 335 – Law and Society Credits: 3
Take 3-4 credits from:
ECON 110 – Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 **
POLI 301 – Methods of Policy Analysis Credits: 3 **
PSYC 300 – Statistics for Psychologists Credits: 4 **
SOC 351 – Social Statistics Credits: 4 **
Elective Courses, 15 credits
Choose 9 credits from the following:
POLI 320 – Legislative Process Credits: 3
POLI 330 – Constitutional Law Credits: 3
POLI 331 – Constitutional Law: Special Topics Credits: 3
POLI 335 – Law and Society Credits: 3
POLI 338 – Environmental Law and Regulation Credits: 3
POLI 385 – International Organizations and Law Credits: 3
POLI 388 – International Law and Human Rights Credits: 3
POLI 450 – Law, Policy, and Regulation Credits: 3
Choose 6 credits from the following:
BUS 340 – Business Law and Ethics Credits: 3
BUS 341 – Advanced Business Law Credits: 3
BUS 342 – International Business Law Credits: 3
ECON 317 – Economic Analysis of the Law Credits: 3
PHIL 315 – Philosophy of Law Credits: 3
PHIL 336 – Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3
Urban Planning and Geodesign
This minor administered by the Department of Geography and Geology studies the use of geospatial technologies to plan built and natural environments. Students have access to facilities including spatial analysis computer laboratories, the Maurice E. Perrett Map Center, the Earth Materials Testing Laboratory, and various field equipment.
GEOG 230 – Introduction to Regional Planning and Geodesign Credits: 3
GEOG 330 – Urban and Regional Planning Analysis Credits: 3
GEOG 341 – Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3
GEOG 377 – Remote Sensing I Credits: 3
GEOG 433 – GIS and Geodesign for Sustainability and Resiliency Credits: 3
Planning Electives, 3 credits
Selected from:
GEOG 141 – The Geospatial Revolution Credits: 3
GEOG 331 – Planning Theory and Ethics Credits: 3
NRES 488 – Land Use Plan Implementation Credits: 3
POLI 341 – Urban Politics Credits: 3
SOC 360 – Population Problems Credits: 3
Geospatial Technology Electives, 3 credits
Selected from:
GEOG 342 – GIS Database Design and Data Modeling Credits: 3
GEOG 343 – Geographic Information Systems II Credits: 3
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
The GIS Professional Certificate is awarded upon successful culmination of a series of courses that focus on professional competency and proficiency in using GIS. Valued by both private and public employers, it substantiates your expertise in using GIS to address a broad range of geographic-based issues and problems. Program participants will acquire abilities to communicate effectively with maps, represent earth’s cultural and physical features with GIS data, analyze geospatial patterns, trends, and relationships, and design geospatial models and scenarios for critical decision-making.
This certificate requires a minimum completion of 12 credits. This certificate is also available at the graduate level. View course catalog
Core Courses, 6 credits
GEOG 341 – Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3
GEOG 343 – Geographic Information Systems II Credits: 3
Elective Courses, 6 credits
GEOG 260 – Introduction to Cartography: Map Conceptualization and Development Credits: 3
GEOG 342 – GIS Database Design and Data Modeling Credits: 3
GEOG 377 – Remote Sensing I Credits: 3
GEOG 433 – GIS and Geodesign for Sustainability and Resiliency Credits: 3
GEOG 477 – Remote Sensing II Credits: 3
GEOG 480 – Internship in Geography Credits: 1-12 or
Psychology is a minor that complements many disciplines and majors at UWSP such as business, health sciences, natural sciences, education, and the arts. The minor provides students with a strong core of psychology classes while also allowing students the flexibility to choose psychology classes which match their interests. After completing the Introduction to Psychology course, students have substantial freedom to explore the many areas of psychology. For more information visit the UW-Stevens Point course catalog.
The Psychology Minor consists of at least 18 credits, including:
Required Courses: Take all of the following: PSYC 110: Introduction to Psychology PSYC 200: Research Methods in Psychology
Core Content: Choose at least one course from each of the following two groups Social Science Core: PSYC 260: Introduction to Developmental Psychology PSYC 320: Social Psychology PSYC 301: Personality Psychology PSYC 351: Abnormal Psychology
Elective Courses: Take six additional elective Psychology credits, which may include courses listed above, not already used. [No more than 6 credits of 200-level courses will count toward these electives.]
Environmental Geography
The Department of Geography and Geology administers the environmental geography minor. Students have access to facilities including spatial analysis computer laboratories, the Maurice E. Perrett Map Center, the Earth Materials Testing Laboratory, and various field equipment.
GEOG 100 – Human Impacts on the Physical Environment Credits: 3 or
GEOG 105 – The Dynamic Earth Credits: 3 or
GEOL 104 – Physical Geology Credits: 4
GEOG 115 – World Regional Geography Credits: 3 or
GEOG 120 – Human Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 141 – The Geospatial Revolution Credits: 3 or
GEOG 341 – Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3
Physical Geography and Geospatial Science, 6-7 credits
Choose from:
GEOG 170 – Disasters – Living on the Edge Credits: 4
GEOG 208 – Weather and Climate Credits: 3 or
GEOG 308 – Climate: Past, Present, and Future Credits: 3 or
GEOL 308 – Climate: Past, Present, and Future Credits: 3
GEOG 230 – Introduction to Regional Planning and Geodesign Credits: 3
GEOG 303 – Processes of Environmental Degradation Credits: 3
GEOG 341 – Geographic Information Systems I Credits: 3
GEOG 377 – Remote Sensing I Credits: 3
GEOL 230 – Environmental Geology Credits: 3
Social and Human Perspectives, 6 credits
Choose from:
FN 357 – Ecology of Foods Credits: 3
GEOG 230 – Introduction to Regional Planning and Geodesign Credits: 3 (if not taken above)
GEOG 303 – Processes of Environmental Degradation Credits: 3 (if not taken above)
HIST 204 – Modern Global Environmental History Credits: 3 or
HIST 280 – American Environmental History Credits: 3 or
HIST 306 – The Human Age Credits: 3
NRES 200 – Introduction to Sustainable Communities Credits: 3
NRES 220 – Global Climate Change and Water Resources, 10th Century to Present Credits: 3 or
WATR 220 – Global Climate Change and Water Resources, 10th Century to Present Credits: 3
NRES 341 – Introduction to Sustainable Energy Policy Credits: 3 or
NRES 365 – Environmental Policy Credits: 3
PHIL 380 – Environmental Ethics Credits: 3
POLI 304 – Environmental Politics and Policy Credits: 3 or
POLI 305 – Climate Change Politics and Policy Credits: 3
PSYC 321 – Environmental Psychology Credits: 3
REL 345 – Religion and Ecology Credits: 3
SOC 355 – Environmental Sociology Credits: 3
Earth Science Minor
The Earth Science minor offered through the Department of Geography and Geology is designed to offer a concentration of studies in earth and atmospheric science. The Earth Science provides a broad-based program and satisfies the basic framework required by the Department of Public Instruction, which has certified the minor for education majors. Courses for the minor are taught by the Department of Geography and Geology and the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
The program offers students a cutting-edge learning environment in which teaching excellence is of prime importance. Faculty members work closely with students enrolled in the minor, helping design a course of study oriented to the students’ interests, special abilities and career objectives. Small upper-level class size, active academic advising and superb laboratory facilities promote academic success. Students are also encouraged to participate in field trip courses to gain a better understanding of our natural environment throughout the world
In addition to K-12 education, the Earth Science minor prepares students for employment in government agencies such as the United States Geological Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and state natural resource and geological agencies as well as private consulting companies.
Political Science
ENGAGE AS A GLOBAL CITIZEN; EARN A DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AT UW-STEVENS POINT
The political science major allows students to study the government and politics of the United States and other countries, their foreign affairs and foreign policies, and international relations. Students also have opportunities to explore other areas of interest in the social sciences and humanities. Our courses cover social scientific, theoretical, and philosophical approaches to politics. Students pursuing a political science degree often participate in campus and community politics and receive individual attention from faculty who teach small, dynamic classes. Some students earn internships in local, state, or national government. Many majors choose to study or intern abroad, even with the British Parliament.
If you’re looking for an education that prepares you for a career in politics, public administration, the law, or in the non-governmental and private sectors, political science at UW-Stevens Point is for you.
Many UWSP political science majors attend graduate school in areas such as public administration, public policy, law, and international relations. Others enter the workforce directly upon graduation securing jobs in local and state government, the courts and criminal justice systems, the private sector, and a variety of non-governmental organizations. Political Science graduates work as policy analysts, communicators, teachers, entrepreneurs and business owners, and financial planners, among other professions. Some even hold elected office.
High-achieving students in the Political Science program are eligible for many significant awards and scholarships thanks to generous support from our alumni, friends, and corporate partners. In late March, information and an application form are emailed to all majors and recipients are notified by letter prior to the end of the spring semester. All award and scholarship selections are determined by the Political Science Scholarship Committee.
Our full-time faculty members, all with doctorates from leading universities, are dedicated teachers and active researchers in their respective fields. They teach introductory courses in American politics and global affairs, as well as a wide range of upper-level seminars on subjects such as constitutional law, environmental politics and policy, European politics, Latin American politics, U.S. foreign policy, minority group politics, gender and politics, human rights, public policy analysis, and terrorism and homeland security.
Dr. Blakeman is a specialist with books on the Supreme Court and the role of religion in politics. Dr. Collins’recently published book and articles examine populism and social movements in the Andean region of South America. Dr. Mapes-Martins’ area of expertise is environmental politics and policy including climate change. Dr. Park’s research, which has appeared in several journal articles, focuses on the political behavior and views of Asian Americans within the U.S. political System. On our Wausau campus, Dr. Gunderson’s research and publications have focused on women in the military, war crimes and Ukraine.
Qualified majors can serve in an internship with local or national government or even internationally. Interns have served in a variety of places, from district attorney’s offices, police departments, and mayor’s offices, to government offices at the state and federal level. The department participates in several Washington, D.C., internship programs, as well as international internships supervised by the Office of International Education.
Our Political Science graduates are the single largest group of applicants who are accepted and enroll in law school. UWSP has a 73% acceptance rate in law school applications. Two-thirds of UWSP students who are admitted to law school are Political Science majors! Connect with us about pre-law advising.
The Law and Policy Minor prepares students for a range of careers in law oriented fields. The minor is excellent preparation for law school, and the course selection provides you with some of the skills and knowledge recommended by the American Bar Association for law school preparation. If you’re not interested in law school, the minor will also prepare you for many other careers in which an understanding of law, regulation, and public policy are crucial.
Peace Studies is an opportunity to devote part of your college career to the problems of war, violence, and oppression. Practitioners work for positive social change through non-profit organizations, government agencies, and business firms in jobs such as project coordinators, media specialists, lobbyists, grant writers, and lawyers.
The certificate in international relations provides students with working knowledge of the international governance system including international security, international political economy, international organizations and law, and foreign policy.
“I’ve always been passionate about government and public affairs. My family is really engaged. Political Science is a really expansive field and you can go into a lot of things with it. We covered European and Latin American politics, public administration and policy, environmental policies, and international relations. The degree lays a solid foundation for you to build a career.”
Ariana Vruwink ’17
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
Political Science students can build their resumes through a variety of activities. The College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Research Symposium gives students the opportunity to present research projects undertaken with a faculty mentor.
Student organizations include the Model UN and Student Legal Society. Pointers Vote Coalition is a nonpartisan student organization that works to increase student civic engagement and voting to ensure that student voices can make a difference in policy across all levels of government. Many of our majors get involved in the Student Government Association, representing the student body of UW-Stevens Point. Pi Sigma Alpha is the honor society for college students in political science and government.
Political Science graduates comprise the single largest group of UWSP students who attend law school and work as attorneys. The Political Science Department houses the pre-law advising on campus and we have a very successful placement record-73% of UWSP seniors who apply to law school are admitted to at least one school. Interested students should contact the Pre-Law Adviser Professor John Blakeman for more information, john.blakeman@uwsp.edu.
The department offers small classes taught by a dedicated faculty, and a lot of individual attention and advising. Our faculty come from some of the best Political Science Ph.D. programs and are engaged in ongoing research projects. The faculty have extensive field experience studying, teaching, working, and pursuing research in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
DEVELOP AND LEAD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY
The Community Sustainability major caters to science-focused students who want to put their knowledge to work in building and developing sustainable organizations or communities. The program complements existing sustainability degrees that center on resource management, food systems and education.
Do you want the skills and knowledge to lead environmental efforts for the 21st century? UW-Stevens Point led the development of a new major to integrate the social, ethical and political dimensions of environmental sciences with the tools to foster community change.
Why Study Community Sustainability at UW-Stevens Point?
Community Sustainability leverages robust skills in urban planning and policy, ethics, justice and organizational leadership. Students get the benefit of an interdisciplinary approach, with courses in environmental science (Geography), social inequality (Sociology), grant writing (English), environmental law (Political Science), and environmental ethics (Philosophy), giving them a thorough understanding of the field and the skills to make an impact in future careers.
The Department of Geography/Geology has established a program of awards to encourage, reward, and recognize student excellence in the department. Each award includes a certificate and cash award.
Students will gain a foundation in environmental science and climate change. In addition to the first 40 required core credits, students will choose an emphasis track of either Resilient Urban Systems and Policy or Environmental Justice and Community Engagement. Community Sustainability leverages robust skills in urban planning and policy, ethics, justice and organizational leadership. View major requirements here.
Several new courses, including Sustainability as a Profession, have been added to the fall course catalog in this key area of study.
“The program is unique offering a wide variety including natural resources courses, geography, political science, social science classes, and more. It mostly focuses on the social side of sustainability and how individual and group perceptions and actions can impact our natural world and our societies. I would say the Community Sustainability program is good for anyone interested in how people and our environment are intertwined.”
Rachel Krouse ’25
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
You might consider volunteering, part-time, summer, internship or co-op experience in the field. Join a student group interested in eco-initiatives:
UWSP Students for Sustainability invites speakers to present on impacts of our daily choices, tour local sustainable farms, and work to foster sustainable lifestyles.
350 Stevens Point is a chapter of an international organization called 350.org, focused on the fight for a fossil-free future and climate resiliency.
Department faculty have training and interests in cartography, geographic information systems, climatology, geomorphology, hydrology, natural hazards, environmental science, and cultural, economic and urban geography.
Chris Diehm
Professor
Chair, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
The International Relations Certificate offered by the Department of Political Science provides students with an opportunity to pursue an interest in international relations as a complement to their majors. The Certificate is comprised of relevant political science courses focusing on concepts and issues in international affairs and the workings of the diplomatic world.
This 15-credit certificate is intended for students who are seeking to …
pursue a career with organizations and agencies involved in international affairs, such as the U.S. State Department and other government agencies, international organizations like the UN, international non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International, or global companies
learn more about foreign affairs and diplomacy, and/or
study global politics and international development.
Why study International Relations at UW-Stevens Point?
The Department of Political Science in UWSP is home to faculty with extensive educational experience in Europe, South America, and Asia. The faculty’s research interests in foreign affairs and international relations include state compliance with international organizations and law, democratization, indigenous political movements in South America, corruption and ethnic discrimination in Europe, international environmental policy and climate change, and American states, federalism, and foreign trade.
The Certificate in International Relations provides students with working knowledge of international governance including the United Nations system, international law, international security, and foreign policy. Students develop research and analytical skills for addressing policy questions in international relations and learn about the political, legal, and constitutional constraints and opportunities faced by governments when engaging in international relations.
Minimum grade point average: 2.0/4.0 in certificate courses Number of credit hours to be earned: 15
Required Courses: (6 credits) Poli 180 – Introduction to Global Affairs
Complete ANY of the following: Poli 385 – International Organizations and Law Poli 387 – International Simulation Poli 388 – International Law and Human Rights
Electives: (9 credits from the following list) Econ 362 – Economic Development Pax 200 – Dilemmas of War and Peace Poli 305 – Climate Change Politics and Policy Poli 363 – Politics of the European Union Poli 374 – Political Development Poli 382 – Latin America in World Affairs Poli 383 – U.S. Foreign Policy Poli 386 – Politics of Terrorism and Homeland Security Poli 387 – International Simulation Poli 490 – Selected Problems in Political Science (topic must focus on international relations) Poli 455 – Internship (internship must be in appropriate agency or similar entity that focuses on international relations or must be with a foreign government office, agency, business, etc. ) Poli 499 – Special Work (Independent Study––topic must focus on international relations)
Employment Opportunities
The Certificate in International Relations is designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate education and/or careers in international affairs. Future employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, working for the U.S. government’s foreign policy or intelligence agencies; the U.S. military; foreign policy think tanks; international government or non-governmental organizations; the national security industry; multi-national corporations; state commerce departments; and even local governments that conduct international trade policy. Students not interested in a political career can use their expertise in international relations to make a mark for themselves in the field of law and business. In addition, the Certificate is also an effective way of indicating to graduate schools (as well as future employers) that you have a strong interest in global affairs.
