Welcome to the Department of Political Science. This handout is designed to provide information about departmental requirements for completing a major. If you need more detailed information, or wish to discuss career choices, graduate school options, or particular courses, please contact the Political Science office staff to make an appointment with the appropriate faculty member.

We at the Political Science Department are here to help you find answers to your advising questions. Our undergraduate program includes a full curriculum for majors, a flexible curriculum for minors, and guidance for those students interested in pre-law.

ADVISING

It is suggested that you meet with a faculty advisor when you select Political Science as your major, and frequently thereafter to gain an understanding of departmental requirements and to answer your questions.

As a Political Science major, you are required to meet with your advisor each spring prior to fall registration to receive advising and a new registration PIN number. Graduating seniors (students with 135 or more credit hours) must meet with their faculty advisors to complete a pre-graduation audit. This should be completed at least one term before you plan to graduate. Each student should be aware of requirements of the university, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of Political Science. Political Science majors may not take any Political Science courses to satisfy either Baccalaureate Core or the College of Liberal Arts Core requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to see that all three sets of requirements are satisfied. You may meet with College of Liberal Arts advisors in Room 213 Gilkey to discuss the Baccalaureate Core and College of Liberal Arts requirements.

All department faculty are available for career counseling in their respective areas of expertise. The Department of Political Science offers pre-law advising to students of all majors, although there is no specific “Pre-Law Major” program at OSU. To find your advisor, use the Political Science Department website advising page. Advisors are assigned according to the student’s last name alphabetically. You may also call the department at 737-2811 for assistance in locating your advisor. Email is the most efficient means to contact our faculty advisors and staff.