Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Political Science

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Political Science is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of political science and more specific knowledge in one or more subfields. Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Political Science, students will have developed critical thinking skills, learned how to interpret and conduct political science research, and strengthened their written, oral, and visual communication skills.

Program Learning Outcomes for the BA Degree with a Major in Political Science

Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Political Science, students will have:

1. Developed a broad understanding of political science and more specific knowledge in one or more subfields.
2. Developed critical thinking skills and the ability to apply political science theories to understand the political world.
3. Learned how to interpret, conduct, and evaluate political science research, including data collection and data analysis techniques and statistical software.
4. Developed and strengthened written, oral, and visual communication skills and the ability to present political science research to an audience.
5. Become informed citizens able to participate effectively and meaningfully in the political process.

Requirements for the BA Degree with a Major in Political Science

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BA degree with a major in Political Science must complete:

• A minimum of 13 courses (41 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 8 courses (26 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.
• A minimum of 4 courses (14 credit hours) from the Core Requirements.
• A minimum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the Seminar Requirements.
• A minimum of 7 courses (21 credit hours) from the Elective Requirements.
• A maximum of 4 courses (12 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit.

Core Requirements

• Introductory Courses: Select 2 courses from the following:
  • POLI 210: Introduction to American Politics
  • POLI 211: Introduction to International Relations
  • POLI 212: Introduction to Comparative Politics
• Research Methods Courses:
  • SOSC 302: Quantitative Analysis for the Social Sciences
  • POLI 395: Applied Research Methods in Political Science

Seminar Requirements

• Select at least 2 seminar courses from departmental (POLI) course offerings at the 400-level.

Elective Requirements

• Select 4 additional courses from departmental (POLI) course offerings at the 300-level.
• Select 3 additional courses from departmental (POLI) course offerings at any level.

Policies for the BA Degree with a Major in Political Science

Transfer Credit

For Rice University's policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the designated transfer credit advisor for the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course.

Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines

• No more than 4 courses (12 credit hours) of transfer credit from U.S. or international universities of similar standing as Rice may apply towards the major.

Opportunities for the BA Degree with a Major in Political Science

Academic Honors

The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate's academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.