The bachelor's degree in Political Science provides students with opportunities to study the theory, principles, and practice of government and politics at the local, national, and international levels. The coursework emphasizes the application of a range of analytical tools to critically evaluate and assess politics and policy. Faculty mentors provide academic support and guidance, preparing each student for a meaningful career path.
A bachelor's degree in Political Science can prepare you for a range of diverse career paths or application to further education including graduate school or law school. You'll discover how our public lives are organized at the local, national, and international levels. Courses focus on the possibilities for and obstacles to democratic governance. The wide range of course offerings includes environmental politics, political development, and questions of diversity in the political realm.
Follow your interests with internships that provide "education by experience." Political science students have interned with legislators in the U.S. Congress and Arizona Legislature; federal agencies including the National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and FBI; foreign and international bodies such as the United Nations and the German Parliament; and interest groups that include the Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, and Friends of Flagstaff 's Future.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Research | Optional |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The Political Science, BS degree places an emphasis on a range of analytical methods and policy fields, designed to appeal to students who are interested in pursuing graduate school, work in the public sector, work in public policy, or work in the government.
It will also be attractive for students who may already have completed some course work in STEM-related fields. With this degree students will be prepared to engage in policy and data analysis, research, advanced graduate work, and more.
Building upon this fundamental knowledge, our curriculum ensures that students can define, design, and implement effective research projects in political science. In addition, they will be able to make clear and effective demonstrations of their work in writing and in public presentations. Students will also leave this program ready to understand, and be able to meet, the expectations of professionalism and citizenship.
This degree will give students the tools they need for professional work related to political science, particularly in the areas of analysis. Strong analytical skills will also place graduates at a competitive advantage in a wide variety of other fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
More Information
This major requires 72 - 78 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 54 units with a cumulative 2.0 GPA
Political Science Course Requirements (51 units})
Experience of Difference Requirement (3 units)
As part of their degree program, students are required to complete 3 units of an experience of difference. This requirement can be met by selecting one of the following courses:You must obtain prior written approval from a POS faculty member if you take POS 408, or POS 485. You may only use experience of difference coursework with a course prefix other than POS in exceptional circumstances, with your advisor's prior approval. If you take more than 3 units of experience of difference coursework, they will count in general elective credit.
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
You must complete a minor of at least 18 units from those described in this catalog. In consultation with your advisor, you should select a minor that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. Your minor advisor will advise you about this part of your academic plan.
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Political Science and start a Master of Arts in Political Science at NAU.
Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:
Major Requirements
This major requires 72 - 78 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 54 units with a cumulative 2.0 GPA
Political Science Course Requirements (51 units)
Experience of Difference Requirement (3 units)
As part of their degree program, students are required to complete 3 units of an experience of difference. This requirement can be met by selecting one of the following courses:
You must obtain prior written approval from a POS faculty member if you take POS 408, or POS 485. You may only use experience of difference coursework with a course prefix other than POS in exceptional circumstances, with your advisor's prior approval. If you take more than 3 units of experience of difference coursework, they will count in general elective credit.
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
You must complete a minor of at least 18 units from those described in this catalog. In consultation with your advisor, you should select a minor that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. Your minor advisor will advise you about this part of your academic plan.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Bachelor/Juris Doctor 3+3 Program
This plan is eligible for NAU’s 3+3 program offered in conjunction with the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law. This program allows outstanding students to substitute their final year of undergraduate studies with their first year of law school and earn an undergraduate (BS or BA) and law (JD) degree in six years instead of seven years. Please refer to the Bachelor/Juris Doctor 3+3 Program for more information.