The Bachelor of Science degree in History/Political Science is an undergraduate program that provides students with an opportunity to concentrate in History and Political Science, and also develop a subconcentration in another field. The degree prepares students for a wide array of employment possibilities in government, public administration, public history and museums as well as post-graduate opportunities in law, history, political science and public administration.

In particular, the B.S. degree in History/Political Science is meant to facilitate dual degree programs with other majors that offer mostly B.S. degrees.  Most notably, we work cooperatively with the School of Education so that students can complete both a Bachelor of Science in History/Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.  Students participating in this program will be certified to teach at the secondary school level with expertise in both History and Government.  Please see an advisor in either HSS or the School of Education for more information.

Core Requirements
See “Degree Requirements” Section under “Humanities and Social Sciences”. The History/Political Science major consists of 45 credit hours that must be completed with a grade of C– or better in each course. See a History/Political Science advisor for additional information concerning degree-specific opportunities and requirements.

The following courses are required of all History/Political Science majors (18 cr.):

• POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics (taken towards general education)
• HIST- H 113 Western Civilizaion I (taken towards general education)
• HIST- H 114 Western Civilization II
• HIST-H 105 American History I
• HIST-H 106 American History II
• HSS-J 495 or POLS-Y490 Senior Seminar (permission of instructor required)
• 6 credits from: POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory, POLS-Y 217 Introduction to Comparative Politics, POLS-Y 219 Introduction to International Relations

Tracks for History/Political Science Degree (21 cr.)

All students choose 1 track in this category.

History Track

• Seven Upper-Level (300+) History Courses

• Five Upper-Level (300+) Political Science Courses
• Two Upper-Level (300+) History Courses

Balanced Track

• Four Upper-Level (300+) History Courses
• Three Upper Level (300+) Political Science Courses

Sub-Specializations (6 cr.)

All students choose 1 specialization in this category.

History

• 300+ Level History Course
• HIST-H 496 Internship in History

Political Science

• 300+ Level Political Science Course
• POLS-Y 481 Field Experience in History 

Education

• EDUC-M 300 Teaching in a Pluralistic Society
• EDUC-H 340 Education and American Culture

Sociology

• 300+ Level Sociology Course
• SOC-S 340 Social Theory

Labor Studies

• 300+ Level Labor Studies Course
• 200+ Level Labor Studies Course

Public Affairs/Management

• Two 300+ Level Public Affairs/Management Courses

Criminal Justice

• Two 300+ Level Criminal Justice Courses

New Media

• NMCM-N 201 Introduction to New Media Communication
• 300+ Level New Media Course

Communication Arts

• JOUR-C 200 Introduction to Mass Communication
• 300+ Level Communication Course

Philosophy

• Two 300+ Level Philosophy Courses

Art/Art History

• Two 300+ Level Art or Art History Courses

Business

• BUS-D 301 International Business
• 300+ Level Business Course

Economics

• ECON-E 202 Macroeconomics
• ECON-E 303 International Economics

Note: Students must take 1 elective at the 300+ level if they choose a sub-specialization in which 1 class is below the 300 level to ensure that they take the required 30 credit hours at the 300+ level.  This class does not have to be from the History/Political Science program or the sub-specialization.