Program Overview

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Political Science: Law and Public Policy Emphasis

Overview

Transform theory into action with a degree that offers real-world guidance on how to effect change and lead policy. Political science is the study of government, public policy, and the political behavior of individuals and groups. In the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program with a Law and Public Policy emphasis, students prepare for a career as a change-maker in law, as a government official, as they study not only the foundations of political theory, institutions, international relations, foreign affairs, and more, but also the how-to of making policy and progress happen. Students develop powerful analytical, argumentation, and communication skills, and have access to internships at nonprofit organizations and government agencies, such as the Arizona Legislature and the Arizona Superior Court, and local and state politicians' campaigns.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to critically analyze political information given an issue important in modern U.S. society.
• Students will be able to differentiate the theoretical, structural, historical, and scientific dimensions of politics.
• Students will be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Students will demonstrate sensitivity and tolerance of racial, cultural, and other human differences.
• Students will demonstrate commitment to being a politically responsible citizen.
• Students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the American political system and/or political systems and governmental institutions around the world.
• Students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the political processes and institutions that form public policies and impact citizens, as well as the political culture that allows individuals and groups to affect how those processes function.
• Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of foundational concepts, theories, and methodologies used in the study of (their chosen field within) political science.
• Students will be able to demonstrate research and writing skills relevant to the field of political science.
• Students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking about political issues by assessing competing arguments and developing proficiency in communicating arguments in oral and/or written formats.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• POL 206: Public Policy and Administration
• PA 344: Law and Public Policy
• PA 406: Bureaucracy, Politics, and Policy

Career Fields

• Business
• Law
• Local, state, federal government
• Finance
• Politics

Level of Math

Moderate Knowledge

The M-strand is for students who require mathematical facility at the level of at least MATH 112 (College Algebra Concepts) or 108 (Modeling with Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions). This strand involves reasonable facility with algebra and algebraic functions, graphs, and simple modeling. Students who choose the M-strand are prepared for further mathematical work. This work may include MATH 107 (Exploring and Understanding Data), MATH 113 (Elements of Calculus), MATH 116 (Calculus Concepts for Business), MATH 119A (Mathematics of Biological Systems: A Calculus Based Approach), or a statistics class from outside the Mathematics Department, such as ISTA 116 (Statistical Foundations for the Information Age) or SBS 200 (Statistics for the Social Sciences).

Level of Second Language

Fourth-semester skill level in a second language is required. B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options:

1. Scoring the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona.
2. Completion of a two-course sequence beyond the second semester of post-secondary language instruction.
3. Completion with a C or higher of a 300- or 400-level language course at the post-secondary level.
4. Completion of one course beyond the third semester in combination with an AP (Advanced Placement) score, IB (International Baccalaureate) score or a CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) score determined by the individual language department.
5. An AP, IB, or CLEP language score determined by individual language departments.
6. A minimum of one semester study abroad in a language program approved by the appropriate language department as the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level.

Pre-major Required?

No

This Major's College

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Sample Plans

4-Year Sample Plan

• 1st Semester
  • ENGL 101 First-Year Composition
  • First Semester Second Language
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• 2nd Semester
  • ENGL 102 First-Year Composition
  • Second Semester Second Language
  • MATH 107 Exploring and Understanding Data
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• 3rd Semester
  • Third Semester Second Language
  • SBS 200 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • POL 201 American National Government
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• 4th Semester
  • Fourth Semester Second Language
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • POL Core Course
  • Minor Course
  • ECON 200 Basic Economic Issues
• 5th Semester
  • POL Core Course
  • Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
  • POL Elective-Upper Division
  • Minor Course
• 6th Semester
  • Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
  • POL Elective-Upper Division
  • Minor Course
  • Minor Course
  • Elective-Upper Division
• 7th Semester
  • Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
  • Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
  • Minor Course
  • Minor Course
  • Elective-Upper Division
• 8th Semester
  • Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
  • POL Elective-Upper Division
  • Elective-Upper Division
  • Elective-Upper Division

Map Transfer Coursework

Enter your coursework from Arizona universities or community colleges to see how they can map to this major.

Connect with The University of Arizona Academic Advisors to validate how your coursework will transfer.

Mapped Coursework

0 Maps to One Requirement

0 Can Map Multiple Ways*

0 Ask An Advisor

*One course typically meets only one requirement

Mapped to Sample Plan Requirements

1st Semester

• ENGL 101 First-Year Composition
• First Semester Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

2nd Semester

• ENGL 102 First-Year Composition
• Second Semester Second Language
• MATH 107 Exploring and Understanding Data
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

3rd Semester

• Third Semester Second Language
• SBS 200 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• POL 201 American National Government
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

4th Semester

• Fourth Semester Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• POL Core Course
• Minor Course
• ECON 200 Basic Economic Issues

5th Semester

• POL Core Course
• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• POL Elective-Upper Division
• Minor Course

6th Semester

• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• POL Elective-Upper Division
• Minor Course
• Minor Course
• Elective-Upper Division

7th Semester

• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• Minor Course
• Minor Course
• Elective-Upper Division

8th Semester

• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• POL Elective-Upper Division
• Elective-Upper Division
• Elective-Upper Division

About the Transfer Mapping Categories

Maps to One Requirement

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to one requirement for this major.

Can Map in Multiple Ways

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to more than one requirement for this major. This means that the transfer course could meet any of the matching requirements but does not mean it fulfills all matching requirements.

Ask an Advisor

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that has not yet been mapped to a requirement for this major, or it means that the transfer course was input incorrectly.

Mapped to Sample Plan Requirements

1st Semester

• ENGL 101 First-Year Composition
• First Semester Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

2nd Semester

• ENGL 102 First-Year Composition
• Second Semester Second Language
• MATH 107 Exploring and Understanding Data
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

3rd Semester

• Third Semester Second Language
• SBS 200 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• POL 201 American National Government
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

4th Semester

• Fourth Semester Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• POL Core Course
• Minor Course
• ECON 200 Basic Economic Issues

5th Semester

• POL Core Course
• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• POL Elective-Upper Division
• Minor Course

6th Semester

• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• POL Elective-Upper Division
• Minor Course
• Minor Course
• Elective-Upper Division

7th Semester

• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• Minor Course
• Minor Course
• Elective-Upper Division

8th Semester

• Law and Public Policy Concentration Course
• POL Elective-Upper Division
• Elective-Upper Division
• Elective-Upper Division

About the Transfer Mapping Categories

Maps to One Requirement

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to one requirement for this major.

Can Map in Multiple Ways

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to more than one requirement for this major. This means that the transfer course could meet any of the matching requirements but does not mean it fulfills all matching requirements.

Ask an Advisor

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that has not yet been mapped to a requirement for this major, or it means that the transfer course was input incorrectly.