Focused Curriculum
Our engaging and challenging program guides students to develop the necessary tools to make an immediate impact in the professional world. First-year majors begin to develop these skills in the major’s introductory seminars, which emphasize how political scientists think about and propose solutions to important social, economic and political problems. As they advance through the degree, majors choose from an intriguing mix of courses on the American political system, international politics and the research methods that social scientists use to explain and change the world around them. During their final year, all majors complete a capstone experience that involves either a semester-long political internship or substantial research project, which they publicly present at a symposium. Our curriculum provides flexibility for students to complete a second major, foreign study or internship with political campaigns, interest groups or elected officials.
There are more than 100 campus clubs and organizations to get involved in. Some pertaining to political science interests include:
| Degree Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Major Requirements | 36 |
| University Core Requirements | 36-44 |
| Electives | 48-56 |
| Total | 128 |
| Minor Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Course Requirements | 20 |
| Total | 20 |
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 1010, PSC 1011 | Contemporary Issues and Politics or Enduring Issues in Political Thought | 4 |
| PSC 2310 | American Politics | 4 |
| PSC 2019 | Political Science Research Methods | 4 |
| PSC/GBS 2510, PSC/INR 2710 | Comparing Foreign Political Systems or International Relations | 4 |
| PSC 4099, PSC 4810-4815 | Senior Seminar or Student Internship Program* | 4 |
| In addition to the requirements listed above, students must complete 16 additional credits of political science courses. General elective coursework may include independent study coursework, special topic classes, and a maximum of four credits in the Student Internship Program if the student is not using internship hours to meet other major requirements. | ||
| PSC 2055 | Survey Research Center Practicum | 1-2 |
| PSC 2056 | Introduction to SPSS | 1 |
| PSC 2398 | Politics and Power Inside D.C. | 4 |
| PSC 3009 | Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PSC 3310 | American Political Institutions | 4 |
| PSC 3311 | Women and Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3317 | Pop Culture, Media, and Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3320 | The Constitution, Civil Liberties, and the Courts | 4 |
| PSC 3330 | Public Opinion | 4 |
| PSC 3332 | Campaigns and Elections | 4 |
| PSC 3510 | Latin American Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3511 | Ethnic Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3512 | Democracy, Development, and Conflict | 4 |
| PSC/INR 3513 | European Politics | 4 |
| PSC/HST 3701 | The United States and the Middle East since 1945 | 4 |
| PSC 4320 | Judicial Politics | 4 |
| PSC 4510 | Democracy and Authoritarianism | 4 |
| PSC 4710 | International Conflict and Security | 4 |
| PSC 4720 | US Foreign Policy | 4 |
| Other Requirements: Majors are required to take at least three courses at the 3000-level or higher. At least one other class (not counting an internship) must be at the 4000-level. |
||
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 2310 | American Politics | 4 |
| PSC/GBS 2510 | Comparing Foreign Political Systems | 4 |
| PSC/INR 2710 | International Relations | 4 |
| Select two courses from the list of courses above. AND 12 credits of political science courses outside of the classes taken to meet the requirement listed above. |
||
| PSC 1010 | Contemporary Issues and Politics | 4 |
| PSC 1011 | Enduring Issues in Political Thought | 4 |
| PSC 2019 | Political Science Research Methods | 4 |
| PSC 2055 | Survey Research Center Practicum | 1-2 |
| PSC 2056 | Introduction to SPSS | 1 |
| PSC 2398 | Politics and Power Inside DC | 4 |
| PSC/PHL 3009 | Politcal Philosophy | 4 |
| PSC 3310 | American Political Institutions | 4 |
| PSC/WGS 3311 | Women and Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3317 | Pop Culture, Media, and Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3320 | The Constitution, Civil Liberties, and the Courts | 4 |
| PSC 3330 | Public Opinion | 4 |
| PSC 3332 | Campaigns and Elections | 4 |
| PSC 3510 | Latin American Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3511 | Ethnic Politics | 4 |
| PSC 3512 | Democracy, Development, and Conflict | 4 |
| PSC/INR 3513 | European Politics | 4 |
| PSC/HST 3701 | The United States and the Middle East Since 1945 | 4 |
| PSC 4099 | Senior Seminar | 4 |
| PSC 4320 | Judicial Politics | 4 |
| PSC 4510 | Democracy and Authoritarianism | 4 |
| PSC 4710 | International Conflict and Security | 4 |
| PSC 4720 | US Foreign Policy | 4 |
| PSC 2881, 3881, 4881 | Special Topics | Variable credit. May be repeated. |
| PSC 4444 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| PSC 4810-4815 | Student Internship | 3-12 |
| Course Descriptions | ||
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Brayden Bode; Class of 2028 Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Major: Political Science and Business Administration…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Peyton Curry, Class of 2025 Hometown: Denver, North Carolina Major: Political Science; minor in Business Administration…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Hays Turner, Class of 2025 Hometown: Purcellville, Virginia Major: Political Science; double minor in…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Chance Carothers, Class of 2025 Hometown: Gaithersburg, Maryland Major: Political Science Post-graduation plans: Chance is heading…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: James Clay McNiff, Class of 2024 Hometown: Rocky Mount, North Carolina Major: Political Science; minor…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Luke Ardizzone, Class of 2024 Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina Major: Political Science Post-graduation plans:…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Claire Barnes, Class of 2026 Hometown: Belton, South Carolina Major: International business with a…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Hannah Parson Hometown: Champions Gate, Florida Major: Political science and English; minor in Spanish Post-graduation plans: Hannah will be…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: John Liebkemann, Class of 2024 Hometown: Greensboro, NC Major: Business Administration; minors in Spanish, Marketing, and Political Science….
HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…
