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    For students entering in 2023-24
Political Science (B.A.) Suggested 4-year Plan
Academic Advising

» Political Science (B.A.): Suggested 4-year Plan for 2023-24

How to Use your 4-year Plan

  • This is a suggested 4-year plan for your major and not meant to replace regular academic advising.
  • The plan is flexible and can be changed to accommodate studying abroad, a second major/minor(s) or AP/IB credits.
  • You should work with an academic advisor to develop a plan that meets your interests and goals.
  • You must earn a minimum of 120 credits to graduate and 42 major-specific credits to earn a B.A. in Political Science.
  • Transfer students and those looking to add B.A. in Political Science as a second major should contact the program advisor for degree planning.
  • If you have any questions, please contact Dr. John Compton at compton@chapman.edu.

Suggested 4-year Plan

  • We encourage you to select your General Education (GE) and minor/second major/Themed Inquiry/Honors program around the plan below. Once you fill your GE classes around your major classes, you will have a better idea of space remaining each semester when choosing your Exploration Focus.
  • To be enrolled full time, you must take at least 12 credits a semester.
  • In order to graduate within 4 years, we recommend you take 30 credits a year.

 

Year 1

Fall Semester (3 credits for major)

  • One of the following:
    • POSC 110 - Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
    • POSC 120 - Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
    • POSC 130 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)

Spring Semester (6 credits for major)

  • One of the following:
    • POSC 110 - Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
    • POSC 120 - Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
    • POSC 130 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
    • POSC 212 - Introduction to Public Administration (3 credits)
  • POSC 200 - Introduction to Political Theory (3 credits)


Year 2

Fall Semester (6 credits for major)

  • One of the following:
    • POSC 110 - Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
    • POSC 120 - Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
    • POSC 130 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
    • POSC 212 - Introduction to Public Administration (3 credits)
  • POSC 201 - Political Research Design (3 credits)

Spring Semester (6 credits for major)

  • POSC 201 - Political Research Design (3 credits) [if not taken in fall]
  • POSC Elective (3 credits)*
  • POSC Elective (3 credits)

* Electives: No 100-level courses, a maximum of three credits may be taken at the 200-level (12 credits total)

 


Year 3

Fall Semester (6 credits for major)

  • POSC Elective (3 credits)
  • POSC Upper-Division Requirement Course (3 credits)**

Spring Semester (6 credits for major)

  • POSC Elective (3 credits)
  • POSC Upper-Division Requirement Course (3 credits)

** Upper-division Requirement Courses: Students must complete one 300-level or above course in 4 of the 5 designated subfields: American politics, international relations, comparative politics, political theory, and public administration and public policy.

 

 

Year 4

Fall Semester (6 credits for major)

  • POSC 410 - Seminar in American Politics (3 credits)
  • POSC Upper-Division Requirement Course (3 credits)

Spring Semester (6 credits for major)

  • POSC 410 - Seminar in American Politics (3 credits) or POSC 420 - Seminar in International Relations (3 credits) [If POSC 410 not completed in fall semester]
  • POSC Upper-Division Requirement Course (3 credits)

 

 

Chapman Catalog

Political Science (B.A.)

View all requirements, courses, and electives and elective groups on the Political Science (B.A.) catalog page.