Introductory Courses (13 hours):

• PLS 1153G - American Government and Constitution. Credits: 3

• or

• PLS 1193G - American Government and Constitution, Honors. Credits: 3
• PLS 1500 - Political Science Forum. Credits: 1
• PLS 2033 - Research Methods in Political Science. Credits: 3
• PLS 2703 - Introduction to Public Policy. Credits: 3

• Or

• PLS 2000 - Introduction to Public Affairs. Credits: 3

Required Courses (6 hours):

Take two of the following:

• PLS 4793 - Civic and Nonprofit Leadership. Credits: 3
• PLS 4873 - Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. Credits: 3
• PLS 4893 - Budgeting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations. Credits: 3

Electives (12 hours):

• PLS 3603 - State and Local Government. Credits: 3
• PLS 3653 - American Indian Politics. Credits: 3
• PLS 3703 - African American Politics. Credits: 3
• PLS 3713 - Political Parties and Elections. Credits: 3
• PLS 3723 - Political Behavior. Credits: 3
• PLS 3733 - Interest Groups and Lobbying. Credits: 3
• PLS 3743 - Congress. Credits: 3
• PLS 3753 - The American Presidency. Credits: 3
• PLS 3773 - Religion & Politics in the U.S. Credits: 3
• PLS 3862A, B, D-F, H-M, O-Q & T-Y - Special Topics: U.S. Politics, Policy & Public Administration. Credits: 1 to 3
• PLS 3903 - Women & Politics. Credits: 3
• PLS 4763 - Environmental Politics & Policy. Credits: 3
• PLS 4783 - Health Politics and Policy. Credits: 3
• PLS 4793 - Civic and Nonprofit Leadership. Credits: 3 *
• PLS 4873 - Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. Credits: 3 *
• PLS 4893 - Budgeting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations. Credits: 3 *

Applied Learning (3 hours):

• PLS 2503 - Legal Research and Argument. Credits: 3

• (only one credit hour may be counted toward applied learning experience)

• PLS 25131 - Moot Court I. Credits: 1

• or PLS 25132 or PLS 25133

• (Limited to 3 hours of Political Science Credit)

• PLS 26111 - Model Illinois Government I. Credits: 1

• or PLS 26112

• (Limited to 3 hours of Political Science Credit)

• PLS 3970 - Study Abroad. Credits: 1 to 15

• (See Footnote *)

• PLS 4275 - Internship. Credits: 1 to 12

• (See Footnote **)

• PLS 4444 - Honors Independent Study. Credits: 3

• (See Footnote #)

• PLS 4503 - Independent Study. Credits: 1 to 6

• (See Footnote ***)

• PLS 4555 - Honors Research. Credits: 3

• (See Footnote #)

• PLS 4644 - Honors Thesis. Credits: 3

• (See Footnote #)

GIS Requirement (3 hours):

• GEO 3810 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. Credits: 3

Capstone Requirement (3 hours):

All Political Science majors will complete the capstone course after completing at least 75 hours, PLS 1500, PLS 2033, and at least 6 hours of PLS coursework at the 3000-4000 level. PLS 4600 also satisfies the senior seminar requirement in the General Education program.

• PLS 4600 - Political Science Capstone. Credits: 3

Students are encouraged to take electives, minors, or a double-major in fields that complement their interests, including other social sciences, foreign languages, humanities, and business.

Footnote:

* Three credit hours will count for this requirement. Additional credit hours may be substituted for Electives, with departmental approval.

** Three credit hours will count for this requirement. Additional credit hours cannot be substituted for Electives, but will count towards degree completion.

*** Three credit hours will count for this requirement. Additional credit hours cannot be substituted for Electives, but will be included in computing the major G.P.A.

# Students enrolled in Honors Independent Study, Research, or Thesis must be enrolled in Political Science Departmental Honors.