Political Science, BA, Four-Year Plan

Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Sample Plan for New Students

This is a sample and not the only way to complete this plan. Number of credits are in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites.

Important Major Information

  • Minimum Credits to Graduate: 180
  • Credits in Major: 65
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.0 
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) HIST 1200, 1210, OR 2310 (5)
Course 2 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) PLSC 2000, 2300, 2500, OR 2600 (5)
Course 3 Language 1150 (5) Language 1250 (5) Language 1350 (5)

Year 1 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor
  • Create plan in Student Planning
  • Get Involved

 

Year 2

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5)
Course 2 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) PLSC 2000, 2300, 2500, OR 2600 (5) PLSC Elective (5)
Course 3 PLSC 2000, 2300, 2500, OR 2600 (5) ECON 2130 – Principles of Economics - Macro (5) PLSC 2000, 2300, 2500, OR 2600 (5)

Year 2 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
  • Plan for Study Abroad
  • Meet with Career Engagement Office

 

Year 3

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) Comparative Politics Sub- Field Course (5)
Course 2 UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) Political Theory & Law Sub- Field Course (5) PLSC Elective (5
Course 3 International Politics Sub- Field Course (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Find Internship or Research Opportunities
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Review Educational Plan

 

Year 4

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) PLSC 4220, 4650, OR 4360 Core Capstone (5) PLSC Elective (5)
Course 2 American Politics Sub- Field Course (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)
Course 3 General Elective (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Continue Post Graduation Planning

University Core Requirements

UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See my.seattleu.edu for prerequisites and www.seattleu.edu/core for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements. 

Module I:

  • UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
  • UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
  • UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
  • UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
  • UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
  • UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences

Module II:

  • UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
  • UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning

Module III:

  • UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
  • UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
  • UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges 
  • UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges  

Curriculum Notes

  • Some PLSC courses are options for more than one field.  Each course may be used to satisfy only one major field requirement.    
  • PLSC majors must complete at least 30 credits in the major at Seattle University.    
  • PLSC majors may not count more than 10 credits of independent study toward the credits required for the major    
  • PLSC Sub-Fields: Choose one course from each of the four sub-fields (American, Comparative, International and Theory & Law) from the list contained in the Catalog and in consultation with your advisor.     
  • 5 credits in the American Politics Sub-Field.  Options Include: PLSC 3000, 3010, 3040, 3050, 3090, 3120, or 3190.   
  • 5 credits in the Comparative Politics Sub-Field.  Options Include: PLSC 3310, 3340, 3350, 3360, 3370, 3380, 4340, 4360, 4650, or 4850.   
  • 5 credits in the International Politics Sub-Field.  Options Include: PLSC 3610, 3620, 3630, 3640, 3650, 3660, 3680, 3690, or 4650.   
  • 5 credits in the Political Theory & Law Sub-Field.  Options Include: PLSC 3190, 3200, 3210, 3220, 3250, 3260, 3520, 3550, 3560, 4220, or 4590.   
  • PLSC Electives: An additional 20 credits which can be taken in any of the PLSC sub-fields.    
  • One PLSC course chosen for the major must  be a designated Core Capstone course. 
  • For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.

Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.

Visit the Seattle U Advising Services page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.

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