University Catalog

Overview

The goal of the political science undergraduate curriculum is to maximize students' capacities to analyze and interpret political events and governmental processes. In addition to acquiring general knowledge about government and political behavior, students also learn the analytical skills relevant to particular political systems (their own and others'), and to problems of most immediate consequence and concern to them.

The four major objectives of the department's curriculum are to:

• Identify and describe political structures, rules, behaviors and environments which shape political action.
• Explain and employ statistical and methodological techniques to analyze information.
• Identify, comprehend, and apply comparative, theoretical, or conceptual approaches to actors and their policies.
• Develop the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate political phenomena.

The major courses are designed to present a coherent portrait of the discipline. Students begin with a general introduction to national, state, and local politics followed by required courses in political methodology and political theory. Finally, students are exposed to at least four major areas of the discipline. The department also offers options for students who desire a concentration in pre-law, public policy/administration, or international studies. Students may choose any 18 hours (6 advanced) for a minor. Those who want a specialization may concentrate courses in areas of public law; policy and administration; comparative and international politics; American national government; political parties, group politics, and elections; or political theory.

The political science student is exposed to a multifaceted and highly regarded faculty, many of whom have received regional and national honors for teaching, service, and research. Upon graduation, UT Arlington political science majors are prepared to compete for a wide variety of jobs in both the private and public sectors.

Admission to Department of Political Science Degree Programs

Students should have completed 30 hours of core with 30 hours at UT Arlington, or 40 hours of core with 12 hours at UT Arlington with an overall GPA greater than 2.0. Students may be accepted as pre-political science majors if the above standards are not met.

Teacher Certification

Students interested in Texas Teacher Certification should consult the College of Education section of this catalog for the most recent changes in requirements regarding admission to Teacher Education, completion of University programs in preparation for certification, and eligibility for certification after graduation.

Oral Communication and Computer Use Competencies

Students majoring in political science are required to demonstrate computer use and oral communication competencies. Computer use proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. successful completion of POLS 3310 RESEARCH METHODS AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS; or
2. successful completion of CSE 1301 COMPUTER LITERACY or INSY 2303 INTRODUCTION TO M.I.S. AND DATA PROCESSING; or
3. successful completion of other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly; or
4. passing the University computer use competency exam.

Oral communication proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. successful completion of specific political science courses approved by the department; or
2. successful completion of one of the following:
3. successful completion of other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly.

Students should discuss these options with their undergraduate advisor who may also provide a list of other courses approved by the University to meet these requirements.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science

All students who wish to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science must complete the following coursework. In completing this coursework, they will satisfy the University's core curriculum requirements.

Students majoring in Political Science will pursue this general course of study in the discipline AND they may declare a specific area of concentration by filing a statement of intent with the Political Science Department. The area of concentration will require that the student complete the requirements for the general degree plan while also fulfilling certain requirements for the concentration. All students will receive the B.A. in Political Science. Those completing the selected specialization will also receive recognition of completion.

The purpose of the specializations is to provide the student with a focused, systematic, and in-depth educational experience in the context of a broad liberal arts education.

Political Science classes may be used toward the major requirements or minor requirements (at the discretion of the department offering the minor), but not both.

Oral Communication and Computer Use Competencies

Students majoring in political science are required to demonstrate computer use and oral communication competencies. Computer use proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. successful completion of POLS 3310 RESEARCH METHODS AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS; or
2. successful completion of CSE 1301 COMPUTER LITERACY or INSY 2303 INTRODUCTION TO M.I.S. AND DATA PROCESSING; or
3. successful completion of other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly; or
4. passing the University computer use competency exam.

Oral communication proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. successful completion of specific political science courses approved by the department; or
2. successful completion of one of the following:
3. successful completion of other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly.

Students should discuss these options with their undergraduate advisor who may also provide a list of other courses approved by the University to meet these requirements.

Requirement for a Minor in Political Science

A minor in political science requires 18 semester hours, at least six of which must be 3000/4000 level.

Political Science classes may be used toward the major requirements or minor requirements (at the discretion of the department offering the minor), but not both.

Fast Track Program in Political Science  The Fast Track program allows outstanding senior undergraduate Political Science (POLS) students to take up to three graduate courses (5000-level courses) to replace up to nine credit hours of advanced POLS undergraduate courses (3000- or 4000-level courses); the credit hours earned in these graduate courses can then be applied to both the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and to the Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science. Those who successfully complete the program will be automatically admitted to the Graduate School. They will not be required to take any qualifying test, complete an application for admission to the Graduate School, arrange for letters of reference, or pay an application fee. This enables students to complete their MA degree in a shorter time period.

Applying to the POLS Fast Track Program  Undergraduate students apply to the Department of Political Science by completing a Fast Track application form available from the POLS academic advisor. Students will be notified by the Department of their acceptance into the Fast Track program.

Unconditional Admission

1. The student must be within 30 hours of completing a BA in Political Science at UTA.

2. The student must have completed 30 hours of coursework at UTA.

3. The student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all coursework at all schools and an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all coursework completed at UTA.

4. The student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.5 in all POLS courses completed at UTA.

5. The student must have completed 12 credit hours of the following specific undergraduate POLS courses, with a GPA of at least 3.5 in these courses. (Courses from other universities or colleges that cover the same or similar material cannot replace any of these specific UTA courses.)

• POLS 2312 State and Local Government or its equivalent from another institution

• POLS 3310 Analyzing Politics

• POLS 3302 Introduction to International Relations, POLS 3303 Introduction to Public Administration, POLS 3304 Introduction to Comparative Politics, POLS 3305 Government in Urban America, POLS 3307 Comparative State and Local Politics, POLS 3311 Public Opinion, POLS 3312 Introduction to Public Policy Analysis, OR POLS 3333 Juridprudence

• One substantive 4000-level POLS course from any of the area concentrations (excluding internships and conference or directed readings courses).

Provisional Admission

A student may gain provisional admission if, by the semester in which application is made, he or she has already completed 3 out of the 4 required POLS courses (listed above) with a GPA of at least 3.5 in them, with the 4^th course to be completed in the semester of application. All other requirements above must be met. Provisional admission will be changed to unconditional admission upon satisfactory completion of remaining requirements. Students failing to meet all requirements at the end of their semester of application will be removed from the Fast Track program. Any credits earned prior to removal from the program will be applied to the undergraduate degree only. None of the other benefits of the Fast Track program will apply. Provisionally admitted students who have been removed from the program may subsequently apply to graduate programs via the normal application process, paying all fees and meeting all relevant admission criteria. Admission will not be automatic as it will be subject to the normal admission practices of the Department of Political Science and of the Office of Graduate Studies.

Denial

Students who do not meet the requirements set out shall be denied admission to the Fast Track program. They may still apply to the graduate program through the regular application process. Admission will not be automatic as it will be subject to the normal admission practices of the Department of Political Science and of the Office of Graduate Studies.

Good Standing

In order to remain in the Fast Track program, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and must earn grades of B or better in all Fast Track-approved graduate courses that will be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate degree requirements of the Fast Track program.

2. Students must enroll in at least 2 graduate courses prior to receiving their bachelor’s degree, and receive at least a B in each course.

Students who, at any time, do not meet these requirements will be obliged to leave the Fast Track program. Any graduate credits earned will be applied only to the undergraduate degree, and none of the other benefits of participation in the Fast Track program will apply. They may apply to the MA program as a regular student after receiving their BA.

For more information about the POLS Fast Track Program, please contact the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Political Science.