If you received a 5 on an AP exam in American Government or Comparative Politics, you can place out of the equivalent 200-level course (POLI_SCI 220 or POLI_SCI 250), but it does not reduce the total number of courses required to complete the major or minor. Thus, instead of taking POLI_SCI 220 or POLI_SCI 250, you must take an additional 300-level course.

If you would like to use your AP credit in this way, you will need to:

• Email the Director of Undergraduate Studies after you have taken a Poli Sci 300-level class to place the request.
• In that email, include your student ID number, expected graduation term/year, and specify which 300-level class you have already taken that you would like to substitute for the 200-level gateway course. That information is necessary for the Registrar to make this change on your Degree Progress report.

Receiving a 6 or 7 on the Global Politics exam can place you out of POLI_SCI 240: Intro to International Relations. It does not reduce the total number of courses required to complete the major or minor. Thus, instead of taking POLI_SCI 240, you must take an additional 300-level course.

If you would like to use your IB credit in this way, you will need to:

• Email the Director of Undergraduate Studies after you have taken a Poli Sci 300-level class to place the request.
• In that email, please include your student ID number, expected graduation term/year, and specify which 300-level class you have already taken that you would like to substitute for POLI_SCI 240.

Students pursuing a major or minor in Political Science may receive credit for courses taken while studying abroad. Visit the study abroad page for more information about how to apply study abroad credit towards the major or minor.

Although we encourage political science students to take courses in other departments that complement or supplement their political science courses, classes in other departments do not count towards the major or minor. Only courses listed as Political Science courses count towards major/minor requirements.

Students should plan to complete the departmental methods requirement early. There are several options:

Poli Sci 210: Introduction to Empirical Methods in Political Science, Poli Sci 211: Introduction to Interpretative Methods in Political Science, and Poli Sci 212: Evaluating Evidence provide an introduction to how political scientists construct arguments using empirical evidence. They are designed for students who lack a strong background in research methods and may be used as a stepping stone to further training in the 300-level courses. Political Science 210, 211, and 212 fulfill the methodology requirement for the political science major and are also open to non-majors.

Students with a stronger background in methods can go straight to the 300-level methodology classes. Poli Sci 310: Methods of Political Inference, focuses on conceptual elaboration, research design, and qualitative methods; Poli Sci 312: Statistical Research Methods, features more statistical analysis. Poli Sci 311: Logics of Political Inquiry, covers non-statistical analytical strategies and methodological approaches. For more information about the specific topics covered in each course, please consult the instructor directly.

Note that not all methods courses are offered every quarter, and most are only offered once a year. Keep this in mind if you have a strong preference among these options so that you don’t miss the course you prefer.

Undergraduate students with a strong academic record in political science are encouraged to explore enrolling in 400-level graduate seminars. These courses offer exposure to advanced debates, as well as a unique chance to get to know a professor in a small-class setting. 400-level courses are especially great learning experiences for students who are considering pursuing graduate school. Undergraduates interested in a 400-level course should reach out to the instructor, as registration requires the instructor’s permission.

Students who have declared a political science major or minor can pre-register for up to two political science courses. It can take up to a week for new major and minor declarations to be processed in time for pre-registrations. Students who submit their declaration form less than a week before pre-registration are not guaranteed pre-registration appointment times.

Some political science classes will have a waitlist if they fill up during registration. Students can see in CAESAR if there is a waitlist and join the waitlist on their own. Some classes, particularly larger courses, will not have waitlists. If there is not waitlist, students are encouraged to check CAESAR regularly to see if seats open.

Visit the Office of the Registrar’s registration page and registration FAQ page to see more information about registration policies and procedures.

During the academic year, Political Science Department advisors are available most days of the week to chat with you about the major, minor, course selection, or other questions you might have about studying political science. Department advisors are not assigned in the Political Science Department. You are welcome to reach out to and meet with any of the Political Science advisors.

During the summer, you contact the Political Science Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Briana Martinez, with advising questions.

For information about Weinberg College advising, policies, and resources, visit the Weinberg College Advising and Support page.