Political Science, BA BA
Political science is the study of governments, political processes, public policies and political behavior by groups or individuals and is an ideal major for students with a passion for current events.
At UWM, students take coursework from four broad areas of political science in order to obtain a well-rounded education in the field: American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Along with exploring these substantive areas, students strengthen their research, writing, and critical thinking skills. With this background, students leave UWM ready to enter graduate school or the world of work in government, international organizations, campaigns, business, consulting, nonprofits, and many other industries. This broad major is available entirely online, or students can mix-and-match and take a some online and some traditional classes.
Many students find that a degree in Political Science aligns well with their interest in law and their plans to attend law school after college. We offer a large number of courses in constitutional law and legal practice in society, and students can focus their electives around these as part of the Law Studies option within the Political Science major. Students planning for law school also often participate in our law sports programs such as intercollegiate moot court and intercollegiate mock trial.
Internships are encouraged for all majors, and opportunities can be found locally as well as in Washington DC.
Since 1966, students from all UW System campuses and other universities have participated in the United Nations Summer Seminar. This five-week, six-credit program is partially held at United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan. The four weeks in New York include special access to U.N. facilities and intensive interaction with over 40 experts representing governments and international organizations.
Career Resources and Job Outcomes
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
Why study Political Science Online at UWM?
- You’ll learn from the same world-class faculty who teach in-person courses on campus.
- You can specialize in our unique law studies option to use your electives to focus on courses about law and courts in preparation for law school.
- You will meet and engage with a community of online learners with diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Student support resources available to our on-campus students extend to our online students including advising, mental health services, tutoring, library services, writing support, and career counseling.
Listed below are the requirements for the Political Science major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
Political Science Major Requirements
Majors must attain a 2.0 GPA in all political science courses, including any transfer work, and a 2.0 GPA in political science courses taken at UWM. Majors are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits in political science, of which at least 15 must be in upper-division courses (numbered 300 or above) taken in residence at UWM. The following courses must be included among those taken for major credit:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Requirement | ||
| POL SCI 104 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Politics of the World's Nations | ||
| Methods Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science Research | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Survey Research | ||
| Requirements: Areas of Political Science | ||
| Select at least one course beyond the 100 level in each of the following four areas of political science: | 12 | |
| American Politics | ||
| State Politics | ||
| Multicultural America: Minority Voting Rights and Representation | ||
| Introduction to Public Service | ||
| American Public Policy | ||
| Urban Government and Politics | ||
| Ethnicity, Religion and Race in American Politics | ||
| Environmental Politics | ||
| Public Administration | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Topics in American Politics: | ||
| Cyberpolitics 1 | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Law Through Popular Culture | ||
| Constitutional Law: Government Powers and Federalism | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties | ||
| The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration | ||
| Judicial Politics | ||
| The Supreme Court | ||
| Constitutional Interpretation | ||
| Party Politics in America | ||
| Women in Politics | ||
| Congressional Politics | ||
| Urban Political Problems | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Sex, Gender, and the Law | ||
| Elections and Voting Behavior | ||
| Problems in Law Studies: | ||
| Public Opinion | ||
| Political Psychology | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Politics of the World's Nations | ||
| Russian and Post-Soviet Politics | ||
| The Politics of Authoritarian Regimes | ||
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| Politics of Revolution in Developing Nations | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| The Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Seminar in Comparative Politics: | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict | ||
| Health, Wealth, and Democracy | ||
| Elections in the Modern World | ||
| International Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| International Law | ||
| The Politics of International Economic Relations | ||
| International Organization and the United Nations | ||
| Seminar in International Relations: | ||
| Politics of Nuclear Weapons | ||
| Asian International Relations | ||
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| Problems of American Foreign Policy | ||
| Theories and Methods in International Politics | ||
| International Conflict | ||
| Morality, Conflict and War | ||
| Current Crises and Events in International Relations | ||
| Conduct of American Foreign Affairs | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Sex and Power | ||
| Great Issues of Politics | ||
| Classics of Political Theory | ||
| History of International Political Thought | ||
| The Development of Western Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Thought | ||
| Environmental Political Theory | ||
| The Philosophy of Law | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| Politics and Philosophy: | ||
| Research Experience | 3 | |
| Select one from the list below. 3 | ||
| The Politics of Authoritarian Regimes | ||
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| Seminar in International Relations: | ||
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy | ||
| History of International Political Thought | ||
| International Conflict | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration | ||
| Judicial Politics | ||
| The Supreme Court | ||
| Women in Politics | ||
| Congressional Politics | ||
| Sex, Gender, and the Law | ||
| Elections and Voting Behavior | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits from any of the above. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Depending on instructor, may satisfy American Politics or International Relations area requirement, but not both.
- 2
May be used to satisfy Comparative Politics or International Politics but not both.
- 3
Satisfies the L&S requirement for a research experience in the major; should be taken in the last year of study.
Course of Study: Law Studies Option
Students may emphasize the study of law within the major by completing, in conjunction with or in addition to all of the requirements outlined above, the courses listed below as part of the 30 credits required for the major. Some of the courses below also satisfy the requirement of 3 credits above the 100 level in each area of Political Science.
Law Studies Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| POL SCI 250 | Law and Society 4 | 3 |
| POL SCI 411 | Constitutional Law: Government Powers and Federalism 4 | 3 |
| POL SCI 412 | Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties 4 | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| International Law 5 | ||
| The Philosophy of Law 6 | ||
| Law Through Popular Culture 4 | ||
| Judicial Politics 4 | ||
| The Supreme Court 4 | ||
| Constitutional Interpretation 4 | ||
| Administrative Law 4 | ||
| Sex, Gender, and the Law 4 | ||
| Problems in Law Studies: 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 4
Satisfies the American politics requirement.
- 5
Satisfies the international politics requirement.
- 6
Satisfies the political theory requirement.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors, and success coaches. Letters and Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional College Advisors and Faculty Advisors. L&S College Advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental Faculty Advisors focus on the major.
College Advisors are located in Holton Hall and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College Advisors will:
- assist you in defining your academic and life goals;
- help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals;
- assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures;
- provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate; and
- monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty Advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a Faculty Advisor when you declare your major. Faculty Advisors are an important partner and will:
- help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department;
- explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences; and
- serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their College Advisor and Faculty Advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
We encourage you to begin exploring career options when you declare your major or at the start of your sophomore year, whichever comes first.
The Political Science major and minor are available for completion entirely online. Learn more about how the online program works.