Political Science - Public Policy Option, BA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Introduction

Please click here to see Political Science department information.

This option was designed for students who desire to pursue careers in public policy and/or public administration in the public or nonprofit sectors. This BA track emphasizes the specifically political aspects of public policy processes and is grounded in political science theory and familiarity with American, Comparative and International politics. Courses will emphasize key policy issues confronting U.S. local, state and national decision makers and citizens. A focus on politics and the policy-making process will prepare students conceptually and methodologically to move beyond partisan politics to address how leaders can best mobilize resources to achieve constituent goals consistent with the public interest.

These degree requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their major advisor and CLAS advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.

Program Delivery

This is an on-campus program.

Declaring This Major

Click here to go to information about declaring a major

General Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the three areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

CU Denver General Graduation Requirements
CU Denver Core Curriculum
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Graduation Requirements
Click here for information about Academic Policies

Program Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 39 PSCI credit hours.
Students must complete a minimum of 21 upper division (3000-level and above) PSCI credit hours.
Students must earn a minimum grade of C-(1.7) in all major courses taken at CU Denver and must achieve a minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.0. All graded attempts in required and elective courses are calculated in the major GPA. Students cannot complete major or ancillary course requirements as pass/fail.
Students must complete a minimum of 15 PSCI credit hours with CU Denver faculty.

Program Restrictions, Allowances and Recommendations

Students with significant pre-existing political or civic engagement experience in the community, or for whom the experiential- learning requirement poses a hardship may petition the chair to waive the experiential-learning requirement; the overall requirement of 39 credit hours for Political Science graduation will still apply.

Take any two additional courses from the three fields above, plus take any one other upper or lower-division PSCI course.