Political Science - American Government Emphasis, B.A.

Political science students learn not only the concepts, theories and methods associated with the discipline, but also gain the cognitive and presentational skills required of tomorrow’s public and private leaders. At its core, politics is about building and maintaining communities at the local, state, national and international levels that enable citizens to live enriching and fulfilling lives. Political science students develop not only an understanding of those communities, but also the ability to influence them. The American Government Emphasis focuses on the political institutions and behaviors specifically in the American context.

Program Requirements

Core Requirements

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits, 40 credits must be upper-division.
2. Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above, with no POLS course grade lower than a C-.
3. Residency hours: minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
4. Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
5. Completion of 16 credit hours of coursework from one language to include 1010, 1020, 2010, and 202G/2020 levels or transferred equivalents.
6. Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Semester 1		Credit Hours
ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005	Introduction to Academic Writing CC or Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC	3
American Institutions		3
Fine Arts		3
Social/Behavioral Sciences		3
Lower-Div Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15
Semester 2
ENGL 2010	Intermediate Academic Writing CC	3
MAT 1030	Quantitative Reasoning QL	3
Lower-Div Elective		3
HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097	Personal Health and Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE	2
POLS 1100	American National Government AS	3
	Credit Hours	14
Second Year
Semester 3
PHIL 2050	Ethics and Values IH	3
Biology		3
Physical Science		3
POLS 2100	Introduction to International Relations SS	3
POLS 230G	Introduction to Political Theory GI	3
	Credit Hours	15
Semester 4
Biological/Physical Science		3
POLS 2200	Introduction to Comparative Politics SS	3
Lower-Div Elective		3
Lower-Div Elective		3
Lower-Div Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15
Third Year
Semester 5
Language 1010		4
POLS Concentration		3
Upper-Div Elective		3
POLS 3000	Political Analysis	3
POLS 3300	Introduction to Public Administration	3
	Credit Hours	16
Semester 6
Language 1020		4
POLS 3310	Introduction to Public Policy WE	3
POLS Concentration		3
POLS Concentration		3
POLS 3250	Introduction to Law and Politics	3
	Credit Hours	16
Fourth Year
Semester 7
Language 2010		4
POLS Concentration		3
POLS Concentration		3
POLS Concentration		3
POLS Concentration		3
	Credit Hours	16
Semester 8
Language 202G/2020		4
POLS 480R or POLS 4990	Internship WE or Senior Seminar WE	3
Upper-Div Elective		3
Upper-Div Elective		3
	Credit Hours	13
	Total Credit Hours	120

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate critical reading, analytical thinking, advanced writing, and oral presentation skills.
2. Demonstrate competency in identifying and comparing various types of political models, political theories, and academic literature.
3. Acquire civic knowledge and understand how it is important for civic engagement.