This website uses cookies to ensure site visitors get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies and Privacy Statement. To find out more, please visit Southern University's Privacy Statement.

I agree

Curriculum/Requirements


Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Arts degree in political science requires a total of 125 credit hours, of which 39 semester hours are in political science and 27 semester hours are in related social sciences (sociology and economics). Twenty-one of the semester hours in political science must be earned in courses at the 300 or 400 level. Six semester hours from each of the four related social science areas (economics, geography, history and sociology) are required.

A minor in political science consists of 18 semester hours including the following courses: American Government- Pols 200, Introduction to Political Science-Pols 220 and 12 semester hours of upper level political science courses.

The department also offers a minor in geography. Eighteen (18) semester hours are required, including Cultural Geography-Geog 210, Principles of Geography-Geog 221, World Geography, Geog 300, Urban Geography, Geog 426 and six hours of geography electives.


Graduation Requirements
: Students in the Master of Arts in Social Sciences program are required to concentrate in Political Science. Also, they must complete at least one (1) research course in this area of concentration, and the following interdisciplinary seminar: seminar in American Politics, Pols 500. Students must also complete: 15 hours to include Political Science 502 and at least one (1) course from each of the following groups: Political Theory, American Politics/Public Law, Comparative Politics/International

Law..................................... 15 hours
Six (6) hours in each related field...12 hours
Thesis......................................3 hours
Total.....................................30 hours


Academic Average

Students must meet all of the general requirements of the graduate school. The student must maintain an overall average of "B" in all work credited toward the degree with not more than six (6) semester hours of "C" work.


Thesis and Examination

All students must pass an oral examination of the thesis. An advisory committee of three faculty members, representing at least two disciplines should be selected for each student by the end of the first semester in the program. This interdisciplinary committee will also serve as the student's thesis examination committee. The chairperson of the committee shall be the major adviser for the thesis.

Each student shall present a seminar on the thesis after the oral examination and prior to the awarding of the master's degree.