Political Science Minor | POS Requirement Checklist(Word document)
Political Science examines the nature of politics from diverse perspectives. The requirements for majors in the department teach students to think critically about the fundamental theories, principles, institutions, and practices of politics in their social and historical contexts. Course work in the department is required in four main sub-fields of the discipline of political science — American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory — so that students will acquire knowledge and skills for further study in law school or graduate school, or will be prepared for careers in public service or related fields.
Political Science Major Requirements:
Major Requirements:
(Detailed course information is available in the University of Maine online catalog)
1. POS 100, American Government.
2. A minimum of 36 credit hours in POS courses with grades of ‘C’ (2.0) or better.
a. The 36 hours must be distributed as follows:
American Politics 6 credit hours
International Relations 6 credit hours
Comparative Politics 6 credit hours
Political Theory 6 credit hours
POS Electives 12 credit hours (POS 100 may be used as an elective)
b. At least 21 of the 36 hours must be at the 300, 400 or 500-level.
Note: Students must have a minimum of 72 credit hours outside their major.
All students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree must complete nine upper level credits in an area outside the academic major.
All students must complete the University of Maine general education requirements: http://studentrecords.umaine.edu/academics/genedreq.htm
Department of Political Science
Minor Requirements
Students who wish to declare a “minor” in Political Science must complete 18 hours in Political Science courses distributed as follows:
POS 100 – American Government OR
POS 120 – Introduction to World Politics
along with five (5) other Political Science courses of their choice.
Note: A minimum of 9 credit hours must be completed at the University of Maine.
A maximum of 3 pre-approved internship/field experience credit hours can be used towards the minor.