Political Science, B.A.
Saint Louis University's political science major can prepare SLU students for advanced study in various areas: law, public administration, international relations, urban affairs, business and political science. Political scientists study power, politics and various political processes, systems and behaviors.
The discipline of political science covers many topics, from campaigns and elections in the United States to economic development and democratization worldwide to diplomacy and globalization. Political science majors learn to address big questions, such as what makes a government legitimate or what constitutes a good society. They also come to understand causes and mechanisms for addressing significant global challenges like terrorism, poverty, climate change and war.
Political science students at Saint Louis University pursue jobs in government, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, education, law, journalism, diplomacy, survey research and fields related to promoting social justice.
Program Highlights
- Undergraduates can start taking graduate classes before earning their B.A. in political science and quickly finish an M.A. in political science as part of the accelerated M.A. program.
- The political science program at SLU is distinctive in its commitment to preparing students to become engaged citizens locally and globally. Students grapple with some of the most important social justice problems of the time, from racism and poverty at home to war, persistent underdevelopment and oppression abroad.
- The SLU political science department is big enough to offer a wide range of classes and small enough that students get individual attention from faculty.
Curriculum Overview
Students can study the politics of most areas of the world and global security and economic development issues. They can augment their study of politics with work in various distinctive interdisciplinary programs, including programs devoted to area studies (Asia, Russia and East Europe), global and local social justice, foreign service, political journalism, African American studies, gender studies and more.
Students can choose among five options for their B.A.:
General Major
The general major covers American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political thought and allows students the flexibility to choose classes that reflect their particular interests.
International Affairs Concentration
The international affairs concentration permits students to study economic development, international security and political change worldwide.
International Relations Concentration (Madrid)
The international relations concentration is an innovative and rigorous course of study designed to enhance knowledge and understanding of global affairs offered at the Saint Louis University Madrid campus.
Public Law Concentration
The public law concentration focuses on law and courts and the relationship of both to larger issues of justice, social change and democracy.
Public Policy Concentration
The public policy concentration examines the practical application of knowledge to governance and social problems.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Undergraduate students majoring in political science at SLU may take six credits of electives through internships offered in areas such as political campaigns, foreign service, state and federal government, and overseas fieldwork. These internships permit students to gain professional experience working with elected officials, organizations that serve immigrants or disadvantaged communities, law firms, nonprofit organizations or other groups working toward the public good. Students have interned in St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and many countries worldwide.
Students can participate in faculty research projects or complete an independent honors thesis examining a topic of their choice.
Careers
Graduates with an undergraduate degree in political science are prepared for jobs in government, international organizations, community and nonprofit organizations, education, law, NGOs, journalism, diplomacy, survey research and fields related to the promotion of social justice.
An undergraduate degree in political science also provides marketable skills in empirical data analysis and practical problem-solving. It is a traditional major for students interested in law school or planning a political career.
Admission Requirements
Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.
Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $54,760 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
- St. Louis: Students will be able to identify the structure and operation of political systems in the U.S., across a variety of countries, and in multinational organizations. SLU-Madrid: Students will be able to identify and compare political systems in the Western world, international trends at the global level and multinational organizations.
- Students will be able to distinguish among various approaches to studying political phenomena.
- Students will be able to read carefully and evaluate and construct analytical arguments in clear and logical prose.
- Students will be able to analyze how the outcomes of political systems are affected by the structure of institutions.
- Students will be able to design original research to test arguments and hypotheses with qualitative and/or quantitative approaches.
Political Science students must complete 34-37 credits for the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| POLS 1150 | American Political Systems | 3 |
| Comparative Politics Requirement | 3 | |
| International Relations Requirement | 3 | |
| Political Thought Requirement | 3 | |
| POLS 2000 | Methods in Political Science | 4 |
| Political Science Electives or a Concentration | 12 | |
| Senior Seminar Requirement | 6 | |
| Choose two classes from the range POLS 4000-4899, POLS 4990, POLS 4930. With permission, students may substitute graduate classes in the range POLS 5000-5899, or POLS 5930. To register for a senior seminar, students must have completed at least one course in the same sub-field and they must have fulfilled the methods requirement. If a student's major includes a concentration, one senior seminar must be within that concentration. The two 4000-level seminar classes must be completed at Saint Louis University, not by transfer credit. | ||
| General Electives | 48-54 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Program Notes
Political science majors may not count more than six credits of independent study (POLS 4980 Advanced Independent Study (1-6 cr)) and/or internship work toward the major. The two 4000-level seminars and the methods class must be completed at Saint Louis University, not by transfer credit. Only 15 credits of transfer credit can apply toward the political science major. Students may not count more than four 1000 level courses toward the major and must take at least four 3000 or higher level courses.
To give some focus to a major, students are encouraged to take three or four courses in at least one of the four sub-fields or a cross-sub-field area of interest in political science (like social justice, democratization or legal studies). Students should consult with department faculty advisors in selecting courses.
No one class can fulfill more than one requirement in the major.
Research Project Option
As an alternative to one of the 4000-level seminars, students having a grade-point average of 3.30 or better may, with department chair approval, take POLS 4960 Senior Research (3 cr), an individual research project under the supervision of a political science faculty member.
Honors Thesis Option
The political science honors thesis option is for qualified and highly motivated students. These students need to inform the coordinator of undergraduate studies of their interest by the spring of their junior year if they want to write the thesis during their senior year or by the fall of the junior year if they want to start a semester earlier.
Students doing an honors thesis must have a political science GPA of 3.50 and an overall GPA of 3.40. This program involves a full year, two-course sequence: POLS 4990 Research Design (3 cr) and POLS 4991 Political Science Honors Thesis (1-6 cr) . Students doing honors theses will have a 37-credit major. POLS 4990 Research Design (3 cr) fulfills one 4000-level seminar requirement.
Internships
The political science department encourages majors to take political science internships as part of their degree programs. These provide excellent practical experience that potential employers appreciate. Internships often help majors select a future career. Students select internships in consultation with their mentors. The department offers a variety of internships, which may satisfy up to six credits of electives. Students may contact the coordinator of undergraduate studies for more information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Government Internship | ||
| State or Local Government Internship | ||
| Public Service Internship | ||
| Foreign Service Internship | ||
| Legal Internship | ||
| Campaign Internship | ||
| Research Internship | ||
| Political Science Internship |
International Affairs Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations Requirement | 6 | |
One of the International Relations courses must be POLS 1600 and can satisfy the general major requirement | ||
| Comparative Politics Requirement | 6 | |
One of the Comparative Politics courses can satisfy the general major requirement | ||
| Additionally, 3 of the 6 required major Senior Seminar hours must have the International Affairs Seminar attribute | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
International Relations Concentration (Madrid)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Requirement | ||
| ECON 1900 | Principles of Economics | 3 |
| or POLS 2600 | Introduction to International Political Economy | |
| Communications Requirement | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Media and Society | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Global Media | ||
| Political Science Elective Courses | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Public Law Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Public Law Electives | 12 | |
Select 12 credits with the Public Law Elective attribute | ||
| Additionally, 3 of the 6 required major Senior Seminar hours must have the Public Law Seminar attribute. These 3 hours may not be counted towards the 12 Public Law Elective credits for the concentration. | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Public Policy Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Foundation Requirement | 6 | |
Select six credits with the Policy Foundation attribute | ||
| Policy Elective Requirement | 6 | |
Select six credits with the Policy Elective attribute | ||
| Additionally, 3 of the 6 required major Senior Seminar hours must have the Policy Seminar attribute. These 3 credits may not be counted towards the 6 Policy Elective credits. | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Continuation Standards
Students in the political science major must maintain a 2.00 GPA in political science coursework.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
- Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
- Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
- Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
Comparative Politics Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 1500 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS 1510 | Politics of the Developing World | 3 |
| POLS 1540 | Blood and Money: Ethnic War | 3 |
| POLS 2510 | European Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2520 | Introduction to African Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2530 | Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2550 | Political Systems of the Sub-Sahara | 3 |
| POLS 2560 | The Politics of Asia | 3 |
| POLS 2570 | Introduction to Latin American Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2590 | Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| POLS 3500 | East Asian Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 3520 | Communism, Capitalism and Social Justice | 3 |
| POLS 3530 | Comparative Revolutions | 3 |
| POLS 3567 | Political Development in Contemporary Spain | 3 |
| POLS 3810 | Latin American-U.S. Relations | 3 |
International Relations Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 1600 | Introduction to International Politics * | 3 |
| POLS 2600 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 2640 | International Terrorism | 3 |
| POLS 2691 | Theory and Practice of Human Rights | 3 |
| POLS 2820 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLS 3600 | Problems of Globalization | 3 |
| POLS 3620 | International Organization and the Management of World Problems | 3 |
| POLS 3630 | International Security and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| POLS 3640 | International Law | 3 |
| POLS 3650 | International Relations of Africa | 3 |
| POLS 3810 | Latin American-U.S. Relations | 3 |
- *
Required when international affairs is the student's concentration.
International Affairs Seminar Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 4500 | Russian Political Culture | 3 |
| POLS 4510 | Democratization | 3 |
| POLS 4520 | Political Change | 3 |
| POLS 4530 | Authoritarian Politics: Rigging Elections and Clinging to Power | 3 |
| POLS 4650 | War, Peace, and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4670 | Politics of International Trade and Finance | 3 |
| POLS 4692 | Theories of World Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4840 | Global Health Politics and Policy | 3 |
Political Thought Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 1700 | Foundations of Political Theory | 3 |
| POLS 2700 | Fundamental Issues in Political Philosophy | 3 |
| POLS 3710 | Ancient and Medieval Classics in Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 3720 | Renaissance and Modern Political Theories | 3 |
| POLS 3770 | Feminist Theory: Gender Justice | 3 |
Policy Elective Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 1510 | Politics of the Developing World | 3 |
| POLS 2010 | Ethics and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2140 | The American Presidency | 3 |
| POLS 2200 | State and Local Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2220 | Urban Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2230 | Mass Incarceration | 3 |
| POLS 2300 | Public Administration | 3 |
| POLS 2600 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 2820 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLS 3100 | Judicial Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3300 | U.S. Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS 3520 | Communism, Capitalism and Social Justice | 3 |
| POLS 3810 | Latin American-U.S. Relations | 3 |
| POLS 3910 | Federal Government Internship | 1-6 |
| POLS 3911 | State or Local Government Internship | 1-6 |
| POLS 3912 | Public Service Internship | 1-6 |
| POLS 3915 | Legal Internship | 1-6 |
| POLS 4150 | Gender and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4171 | Law, Policy, Society | 3 |
| POLS 4300 | Law, Politics, and Regulatory Policy | 3 |
| POLS 4325 | Public Sector Budgeting | 3 |
| POLS 4340 | Issues in Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS 4360 | Urban Economic Development | 3 |
| POLS 4650 | War, Peace, and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4840 | Global Health Politics and Policy | 3 |
| POLS 4960 | Senior Research | 3 |
| POLS 4980 | Advanced Independent Study | 1-6 |
| POLS 4990 | Research Design | 3 |
Policy Foundation Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 2200 | State and Local Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2220 | Urban Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2300 | Public Administration | 3 |
| POLS 2600 | Introduction to International Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 3300 | U.S. Public Policy | 3 |
Policy Seminar Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 4150 | Gender and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4171 | Law, Policy, Society | 3 |
| POLS 4300 | Law, Politics, and Regulatory Policy | 3 |
| POLS 4325 | Public Sector Budgeting | 3 |
| POLS 4340 | Issues in Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS 4360 | Urban Economic Development | 3 |
| POLS 4650 | War, Peace, and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4840 | Global Health Politics and Policy | 3 |
| POLS 4960 | Senior Research | 3 |
| POLS 4980 | Advanced Independent Study | 1-6 |
| POLS 4990 | Research Design | 3 |
Public Law Elective Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 1300 | Introduction to Law | 0,3 |
| POLS 2100 | The American Constitution | 3 |
| POLS 2230 | Mass Incarceration | 3 |
| POLS 3100 | Judicial Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3130 | Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | 3 |
| POLS 3340 | Foundations of Law | 3 |
| POLS 3640 | International Law | 3 |
| POLS 3915 | Legal Internship | 1-6 |
| POLS 4120 | Civil Rights: A Moot Court Seminar | 3 |
| POLS 4126 | Sexuality and the Law | 3 |
| POLS 4171 | Law, Policy, Society | 3 |
| POLS 4120 | Civil Rights: A Moot Court Seminar | 3 |
| POLS 4126 | Sexuality and the Law | 3 |
| POLS 4171 | Law, Policy, Society | 3 |
| POLS 4300 | Law, Politics, and Regulatory Policy | 3 |
Public Law Seminar Attributed Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 4120 | Civil Rights: A Moot Court Seminar | 3 |
| POLS 4126 | Sexuality and the Law | 3 |
| POLS 4131 | Race, Class, and Punishment | 3 |
| POLS 4171 | Law, Policy, Society | 3 |
| POLS 4300 | Law, Politics, and Regulatory Policy | 3 |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
General Major
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 2-3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes / Must be taken at SLU) | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| POLS 1150 | American Political Systems (satisfies CORE 3600) | 3 |
| 1000 or 2000-level course in International Relations | Some options carry Core Global Interdependence attributes | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| 1000 or 2000-level course in Comparative Politics | Some options carry Core Identities in Context, Global Interdependence, or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| Political Thought requirement (1700, 2700, 3710, 3720, or 3770) | Some options carry Core Identities in Context or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2-3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| POLS 2000 | Methods in Political Science (satisfies core 3200) | 4 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| POLS Electives | 6 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| POLS Electives | 6 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 3 |
| POLS 4000 Level Seminar | Some options carry Core Writing Intensive attribute | 3 |
| General Electives | Be sure to fulfill all Core attributes | 9 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| POLS 4000 Level Semniar | 3 | |
| General Electives | 11 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Electives | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-122 | |
International Affairs Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 2-3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes / Must be taken at SLU) | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| POLS 1150 | American Political Systems (satisfies CORE 3600) | 3 |
| POLS 1600 | Introduction to International Politics (Fulfills Core Global Interdependence attribute) | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| 1000 or 2000-level course in Comparative Politics | Some options carry Core Identities in Context, Global Interdependence, or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| Political Thought requirement (1700, 2700, 3710, 3720, or 3770) | Some options carry Core Identities in Context or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2-3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| POLS 2000 | Methods in Political Science (satisfies CORE 3200) | 4 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| POLS course with International Relations attribute | 3 | |
| POLS course with Comparative Politics attribute | 3 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| POLS Electives | 6 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 2-3 |
| POLS 4000-level seminar from the range POLS 4500-4699 or POLS 4840 | Some options carry Core Writing Intensive attribute | 3 |
| General Electives | 10 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| POLS 4000-level seminar | Some options carry Core Writing Intensive attribute | 3 |
| General Electives | 11 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Electives | As needed to complete Core and graduation requirements | 15 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-123 | |
Public Law Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 2-3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes / Must be taken at SLU) | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| POLS 1150 | American Political Systems (satisfies CORE 3600) | 3 |
| 1000 or 2000-level course in International Relations | Some options carry Core Global Interdependence attributes | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| 1000 or 2000-level course in Comparative Politics | Some options carry Core Identities in Context, Global Interdependence, or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| Political Thought requirement (1700, 2700, 3710, 3720, or 3770) | Some options carry Core Identities in Context or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2-3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| POLS 2000 | Methods in Political Science (satisfies CORE 3200) | 4 |
| POLS 2230 | Mass Incarceration | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| POLS 2100 | The American Constitution (or other Public Law elective course) | 3 |
| POLS 2710 | Theories of Justice (or other Public Law elective course) | 3 |
| General Electives | Be sure to fulfill all Core attributes | 6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| POLS 3130 | Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (or other Public Law elective course) | 3 |
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 2-3 |
| POLS 4171 | Law, Policy, Society (or a Public Law seminar) | 3 |
| General Electives | 10 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| POLS 4000-level seminar | Some options carry Core Writing Intensive attribute | 3 |
| General Electives | 11 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Electives | As needed to complete Core and graduation requirements | 15 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-123 | |
Public Policy Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 2-3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes / Must be taken at SLU) | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| POLS 1150 | American Political Systems (satisfies CORE 3600) | 3 |
| 1000 or 2000-level course in International Relations | Some options carry Core Global Interdependence attributes | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at SLU / Cannot carry attributes) | 3 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| 1000 or 2000-level course in Comparative Politics | Some options carry Core Identities in Context, Global Interdependence, or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| Political Thought requirement (1700, 2700, 3710, 3720, or 3770) | Some options carry Core Identities in Context or Dignity, Ethics and a Just Society attributes | 3 |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2-3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| POLS 2000 | Methods in Political Science (satisfies CORE 3200) | 4 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| POLS 2300 | Public Administration (or other foundation course in the Public Policy concentration) | 3 |
| POLS 3300 | U.S. Public Policy (or other foundation course in the Public Policy concentration) | 3 |
| General Electives | Be sure to fulfill all Core attributes | 6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| Elective courses in the Public Policy Concentration | 6 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 2-3 |
| POLS 4300 | Law, Politics, and Regulatory Policy (or Public Policy seminar) | 3 |
| General Electives | 10 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| POLS 4000-level seminar | Some options carry Core Writing Intensive attribute | 3 |
| General Electives | Be sure to fulfill all Core attributes | 11 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Electives | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-123 | |
Political Science (SLU-Madrid)
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| POLS 1000 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| MATH 1200 | College Algebra | 3 |
| UNIV 1020 | The First-Year Seminar-Madrid | 1 |
| Core Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 1700 | Foundations of Political Theory | 3 |
| Minor course 1 | 3 | |
| Core Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| POLS 1150 | American Political Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 1500 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2xxx | 3 | |
| ECON 1900 | Principles of Economics 2 | 3 |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| Core Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 2000 | Methods in Political Science | 4 |
| POLS 2xxx | 3 | |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 2xxx | 3 | |
| POLS 2xxx | 3 | |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Core Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 3xxx | 3 | |
| CMM Requirement: Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Media and Society | ||
| Global Media | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 3xxx | 3 | |
| POLS 4xxx | 3 | |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 4610 | International Relations: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| POLS 4630 | The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 125 | |
- 1
The number of courses required may vary depending on minor
- 2
Prerequisite: MATH 1200 College Algebra (0,3 cr).
Students can complete the international relations track of the political science program at SLU-Madrid.