Program Overview
Introduction to the Political Science Certificate
The Political Science certificate is designed to provide students with a systematic study of power relationships and their impact on individuals, societies, and governments. Through this program, students will gain a deeper understanding of the workings of government, develop critical thinking and analysis skills, and become ideal candidates for careers in law, government, business, journalism, and politics.
How to Get in
To declare the Political Science certificate, students can do so at any time, with no pre-requisites required. However, political science majors are not eligible to declare the Political Science certificate.
Requirements
The certificate requires a total of 16 credits, with the following breakdown:
- Introductory requirement coursework: 4 credits (only 4 credits will count towards the certificate)
- Reading and Writing in Political Science course: at least one 3-credit course
- Electives: 8-10 credits (can include additional Reading and Writing in Political Science courses or other approved courses)
Course List
The following courses are approved for the Political Science certificate:
Introductory Courses
- POLI SCI 104: Introduction to American Politics and Government
- POLI SCI 120: Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POLI SCI 140: Introduction to International Relations
- POLI SCI 160: Introduction to Political Theory
- POLI SCI 182: Introduction to Comparative Politics (Honors)
Reading and Writing in Political Science Courses
- POLI SCI 206: Introduction to Political Psychology
- POLI SCI 305: Elections and Voting Behavior
- POLI SCI 306: American Political Parties
- POLI SCI 324: Chinese Politics
- POLI SCI 330: Political Economy of Development
- POLI SCI/JEWISH 341: Israeli Politics and Society
- POLI SCI 344: The Russian War on Ukraine: Causes and Consequences
- POLI SCI 345: Conflict Resolution
- POLI SCI 347: Terrorism
- POLI SCI 354: International Institutions and World Order
- POLI SCI 359: American Foreign Policy
- POLI SCI 360: History of American Political Thought
- POLI SCI 364: Christian Political Thought
- POLI SCI 377: Nuclear Weapons and World Politics
- POLI SCI 408: The American Presidency
- POLI SCI 414: The Supreme Court as a Political Institution
- POLI SCI/PUB AFFR 419: Administrative Law
- POLI SCI 425: The Political Psychology of Polarization
- POLI SCI/LEGAL ST 445: Legal Writing, from Counselor to Advocate
- POLI SCI 460: Topics in Political Philosophy
- POLI SCI 470: The First Amendment
- POLI SCI 481: Honors Seminar on Race and Politics in the United States
- POLI SCI 529: Arab-Israeli Conflict
- POLI SCI 601: Proseminar: Topics in Political Science
Electives
- Any additional Reading and Writing in Political Science course from the list above
- POLI SCI 205: Introduction to State Government
- POLI SCI/CHICLA 231: Politics in Multi-Cultural Societies
- POLI SCI 272: Introduction to Public Policy
- POLI SCI/CHICLA 302: Mexican-American Politics
- POLI SCI 304: The Political Economy of Race in the United States
- POLI SCI 311: United States Congress
- POLI SCI 314: Criminal Law and Justice
- POLI SCI 315: Legislative Internship
- POLI SCI 320: Governments and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
- POLI SCI/INTL ST 325: Social Movements and Revolutions in Latin America
- POLI SCI 328: Politics of East and Southeast Asia
- POLI SCI 329: African Politics
- POLI SCI 332: German Politics
- POLI SCI 334: Russian Politics
- POLI SCI 335: Social Identities
- POLI SCI 336: Democracy (and Its Uncertain Future)
- POLI SCI 338: The Civil-Military Paradox in U.S. Politics and Society
- POLI SCI 339: Non-Democracies
- POLI SCI 340: The European Union: Politics and Political Economy
- POLI SCI 342: State-Building: How States Are Formed, Function, and Influence Society
- POLI SCI 343: Theories of International Security
- POLI SCI 346:
- POLI SCI 349: Global Access to Justice
- POLI SCI 350: International Political Economy
- POLI SCI/LEGAL ST 352: Transitional Justice in World Politics
- POLI SCI 356: Principles of International Law
- POLI SCI 358: States in the World: Comparative Foreign Policy
- POLI SCI 361: Contemporary American Political Thought
- POLI SCI/CLASSICS/HISTORY 362: Athenian Democracy
- POLI SCI/ILS 363: Literature and Politics
- POLI SCI 366: Continental Political Thought
- POLI SCI 370: Islam and Politics
- POLI SCI 390: Study Abroad Topics in Political Science: International Relations
- POLI SCI 400: Topics in Political Science
- POLI SCI 401: Selected Topics in Political Science
- POLI SCI 402: Wisconsin in Washington Internship Course
- POLI SCI 405: State Government and Public Policy
- POLI SCI 411: The American Constitution: Powers and Structures of Government
- POLI SCI 412: The American Constitution: Rights and Civil Liberties
- POLI SCI 416: Community Power and Grass Roots Politics
- POLI SCI 417: The American Judicial System
- POLI SCI/GEN&WS 429: Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective
- POLI SCI/INTL ST 431: Contentious Politics
- POLI SCI/INTL ST 434: The Politics of Human Rights
- POLI SCI/GEN&WS 435: Politics of Gender and Women's Rights in the Middle East
- POLI SCI/INTL ST 439: The Comparative Study of Genocide
- POLI SCI/ILS 463: Deception and Politics
- POLI SCI/GEN&WS 469: Women and Politics
- POLI SCI 490: Study Abroad Topics in Political Science: American Government
- POLI SCI 511: Campaign Finance
- POLI SCI 515: Public Opinion
- POLI SCI/AFROAMER 519: African American Political Theory
- POLI SCI 590: Study Abroad Topics in Political Science: Political Theory
- POLI SCI 602: Wisconsin in Washington Advanced Public Policy Course
- POLI SCI 659: Politics and Society: Contemporary Eastern Europe
- POLI SCI 690: Study Abroad Topics in Political Science: Comparative Politics
Residence and Quality of Work
To complete the certificate, students must:
- Maintain a minimum 2.000 GPA in all certificate courses
- Complete at least 12 certificate credits on campus
Certificate Completion Requirement
The undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student's undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the Political Science certificate, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of and appreciation for the methods and approaches in Political Science and their relevance to important theoretical and pragmatic questions.
- Analyze different forms and practices of governance, both democratic and non-democratic.
- Argue effectively and defend propositions with intellectual integrity, while considering a range of alternative points of view and evidence.
- Analyze relations among individuals, civil society, political institutions, and states.
- Analyze the motivations and consequences of political decision-making and activities.
Advising and Careers
The Department of Political Science offers various advising resources, including professional and peer advisors, to help students with academic planning and professional development. The department also recognizes the importance of internships in helping students develop professional skills and explore potential career paths. Additionally, the department offers alumni mentoring and career guidance through SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science.