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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.

Program Type

Major

Program Format

On Campus

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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. 
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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:

Introductory Requirement
POL SCI 104Introduction to American Government and Politics3
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 Experience3
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 Credits30
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

Required
POL SCI 250Law and Society 43
POL SCI 411Constitutional Law: Government Powers and Federalism 43
POL SCI 412Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties 43
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 Credits15
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.

Get Advising
  • Currently enrolled majors with questions about general degree requirements? Make an appointment with your assigned Letters & Science College Advisor through Navigate or email your advisor.
  • Currently enrolled majors with questions about the major specifically? Email your faculty advisor or the department directly.
  • Currently enrolled UWM students not yet in the College of Letters & Science? Email ls-advising@uwm.edu.
  • Haven’t started classes yet at UWM? Email our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu.
Letters & Science Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements for the major (in the Requirements tab of this page), students must fulfill a number of other requirements. Students must take a minimum of 120 credits to graduate. These can be thought of as falling into one of three "buckets:" major, general requirements, and electives, which is where a minor could fall. Many classes fall into more than one bucket at the same time. This is why it is important to talk to your advisor, so you can take advantage of those double-counting opportunities.

For more details and a visual guide to the content in each bucket, review our L&S requirements page.

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.

Contact

Prospective Students (not yet enrolled at UWM)

Prospective students, contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu or 414-229-7711.

Current Students

General questions such as how to declare, how to change a major, general education requirements, etc. should be directed to the college advising office at ls-advising@uwm.edu or 414-229-4654.

Specific questions about Political Science, such as research opportunities, internship opportunities, major requirements, etc., should be directed to Ivan Ascher.

UWM Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.   |   To learn more, visit the Electa Quinney Institute website.