Political Science (BA/BS)

As a political science major at the University of Oregon, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how power, politics, and people converge. Understanding politics and how to make them better serve the community is a critical element in shaping your own possibilities. From concentrations in global affairs and international trade to mediating local council meetings and analyzing societal reactions, there are a wide range of opportunities within our political science community. A degree in political science teaches you how collective decisions are made and how our government works—or doesn’t.

You will study political theory and international and national politics as you develop critical thinking, analytic and writing abilities, and sharp communication. These skills lead into a wide variety of careers. Our program opens doors to graduate work and professional opportunities in law, business, government, teaching, journalism, and social activism. Our students’ substantive expertise in political institutions, key policy issues, ideology, law and regulation, and political identities empowers them to successfully navigate—and change—the world that awaits beyond UO.

This program is designed to

1. provide students with substantive expertise in political institutions, key policy issues, salient ideologies, law and regulation, and political identities in local, national, and global contexts
2. prepare students for graduate work or professional careers in law, business, government, teaching, journalism, social activism, or the academic community

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Recognize and describe major variations in political institutions and policy processes.
• Recognize the defining features of major political ideologies and their conceptual relations to one another.
• Identify sources and expressions of various forms of inequality, as well as different ways that groups challenge inequalities through the exercise of different forms of power and agency.
• Identify and evaluate multiple explanations for why political processes or policy outcomes vary across countries, policy realms, and time.
• Evaluate a theoretical claim against alternative theoretical approaches using appropriate methods and evidence in a written paper, oral presentation, and/or other creative output.
• Demonstrate engagement with social and political issues, including through politically-related employment or internships, regular critical reading about current events, or other forms of policy and political experience.

Political Science Major Requirements

Additional Requirements

The 48 credits that satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades and passed with C– or better with the exception that one course (as many as 4 credits) may be taken pass/no pass (P/N). Courses such as Thesis (PS 403) and Honors Thesis Prospectus (PS 411) are offered pass/no pass only and may be applied to the 48 credits. Credits earned in Terminal Project (PS 409) may not be applied to the major.

No more than a total of 16 credits in Research: [Topic] (PS 401), Thesis (PS 403), Internship: [Topic] (PS 404), Reading and Conference: [Topic] (PS 405), Workshop: [Topic] (PS 408), Honors Thesis Prospectus (PS 411), and Overseas Study: Internships (OINT 488) may be applied toward the 48-credit requirement. Overseas Study: Internships (OINT 488) is subject to preapproval by the political science department.

No more than 8 credits of Internship: [Topic] (PS 404) or Overseas Study: Internships (OINT 488) may be applied toward the 48 credits. This work must be done under the direction of a faculty member who, prior to registration, must approve and set up academic criteria to evaluate the work. Credit for these courses must be earned at the University of Oregon.

UO bachelor's degree requirements also apply.

Honors in Political Science

Political science majors who have reached junior standing and meet GPA minimums are eligible to enter the honors program. The honors program spans the spring term of a student’s junior year to the spring term of senior year. GPA minimums must be maintained to participate—an overall grade point average for UO and transfer credits of at least 3.50, plus a 3.70 GPA or above in the political science major. Students must successfully complete Honors Thesis Prospectus (PS 411) during fall term of the academic year in which the thesis is completed, then complete 4 credits in Thesis (PS 403) in the following winter term. Honors students select a thesis advisor and reader; the advisor supervises and grades the thesis course. The thesis advisor and reader determines if the thesis is approved for honors distinction after eligibility is determined prior to graduation.

Four-Year Degree Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Bachelor of Science in Political Science