Dec 05, 2025

2025-26 Undergraduate Catalog

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2025-26 Undergraduate Catalog

Political Science/Pre-law, BA

The Political Science/Pre-Law BA program combines the rigorous study of political institutions, public policy, and civic engagement with an interdisciplinary pre-law curriculum designed to prepare students for law school and related careers.

Students complete the full Political Science BA major—developing strong analytical, research, and communication skills—while also pursuing a carefully selected set of courses in areas such as logic, legal reasoning, ethics, and communication. This broad-based academic foundation emphasizes critical thinking, persuasive writing, and the ability to approach complex problems from multiple perspectives—core competencies for success in law school and the legal profession.

Like the standard Political Science major, the Pre-Law track offers flexibility and opportunities for internships, research, and community engagement. It provides excellent preparation not only for law school, but also for careers in public service, advocacy, business, and any field that values sharp minds and clear voices.

Crimson Core: 40-42cr

As outlined in the Crimson Core Requirements with the following specifications:

Values and Ethics: 3cr

PHIL 122 - Contemporary Moral Issues Credits: 3

Civic Readiness: 3cr

POLI 111 - American Government Credits: 3

Global Learning: 3cr

HIST 198 - Explorations in Global History Credits: 3

Major: 33

Required Courses:

POLI 101 - World Politics Credits: 3
POLI 260 - Contemporary Political Ideas Credits: 3
POLI 300 - Research Methods in Political Science Credits: 3

Controlled Electives: 24

At least one course in three of the four areas:

American Studies:

POLI 251 - State and Local Political Systems Credits: 3
POLI 350 - The Presidency Credits: 3
POLI 351 - Legislative Process Credits: 3
POLI 354 - Urban Politics Credits: 3
POLI 355 - Intergovernmental Relations Credits: 3
POLI 356 - Mass Media in American Politics Credits: 3
POLI 358 - Judicial Process Credits: 3
POLI 359 - Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties Credits: 3

Political Theory:

POLI 360 - Classical Political Thought Credits: 3
POLI 361 - Modern Political Thought Credits: 3

Public Policy and Administration:

POLI 250 - Public Policy Credits: 3
POLI 370 - The Practice of Public Administration Credits: 3

International Studies:

POLI 280 - Comparative Government I: Western Political Systems Credits: 3
POLI 282 - International Relations Credits: 3
POLI 283 - American Foreign Policy Credits: 3
POLI 285 - Comparative Government II: Non-Western Political Systems Credits: 3
POLI 383 - Political Systems: Asia Credits: 3
POLI 384 - Political Systems: Middle East Credits: 3
POLI 387 - Political Systems: Latin America Credits: 3
POLI 388 - Dimensions of National Security Credits: 3
POLI 389 - International Development Strategies Credits: 3
POLI 422 - International Law and Organizations Credits: 3
POLI 465 - Intelligence Process and Policy Credits: 3

Other Requirements: Pre-law Interdisciplinary: 21

Seven courses, including at least one from each of six areas:

Business:

ACCT 201 - Accounting Principles I Credits: 3
ACCT 202 - Accounting Principles II Credits: 3
BLAW 235 - Legal Environment of Business Credits: 3

Criminology:

CRIM 210 - Criminal Law Credits: 3
CRIM 215 - Survey of Courts and the Criminal Justice System Credits: 3
CRIM 225 - Survey of Corrections Credits: 3
CRIM 255 - Law, Social Control, and Society Credits: 3

Economics:

ECON 121 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECON 122 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3

English:

ENGL 212 - American Literature: Beginnings to 1900 Credits: 3
ENGL 227 - Introduction to Legal Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 265 - Law and Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 310 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
ENGL 321 - Persuasive Speech and Writing Credits: 3

History:

HIST 320 - History of England to 1688 Credits: 3
HIST 342 - The Early Republic Credits: 3
HIST 346 - Recent United States History Credits: 3
HIST 475 - History of American Constitutionalism Credits: 3

Philosophy:

PHIL 101 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3
PHIL 122 - Contemporary Moral Issues Credits: 3
PHIL 130 - Introduction to Biomedical Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 221 - Symbolic Logic I Credits: 3
PHIL 270 - Ethics and the Environment Credits: 3
PHIL 320 - Ethical Theory Credits: 3
PHIL 450 - Philosophy of Law Credits: 3

Free Electives: 24-26

Total Degree Requirements: 120

(1) Students should have two semesters of the same language, until reaching the intermediate level. With Spanish as an example:

SPAN 101 & SPAN 102 (if the student entered with no prior Spanish experience/did not test out of SPAN 101 1)

SPAN 102 & SPAN 201 (if the student tested into SPAN 102 /transferred in equivalent)

SPAN 201 only (if the student tested into SPAN 201 /transferred in equivalent)

No language required (if the student tested out of SPAN 201 /transferred in equivalent)