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Political Science: Public Service - Bachelor of Arts 2021-22 Degree Map

Requirements (Reqs) of a Bachelor Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2021-22 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Freshman Inquiry 5 Freshman Inquiry 5 Freshman Inquiry 5
BA Second Language 101 3-5 BA Second Language 102 3-5 BA Second Language 103 3-5
BA Science/Math 3-4 BA Fine & Performing Arts 3-4 General Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 11-14 Total Winter Credits 11-14 Total Spring Credits 12-14

Second Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses  Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry 4 Sophomore Inquiry 4 Sophomore Inquiry  4
PS Lower Division Requirement 4 PS Lower Division Requirement 4 PS Lower Division Requirement 4
BA Second Language 201 3-5 BA Second Language 202 3-5 BA Second Language 203 3-5
General Elective 4 General Elective 4 General Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 15-17 Total Winter Credits 15-17 Total Spring Credits 15-17

Second Year Milestones: Complete Math and Science; Second Language started (by end of second year).

Third Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Upper Division Cluster 4 Upper Division Cluster  4 Upper Division Cluster 4
PS/PA Upper Division Elective 4 PS/PA Upper Division Elective 4 PS/PA Upper Division Elective 4
General Elective 4 PS Upper Division Core Requirement 4 Upper Division General Elective 4
General Elective 4 General Elective 4 General Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 16 Total Spring Credits 16

Fourth Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
PS/PA Upper Division Elective 4 PS/PA Upper Division Elective 4 Senior Capstone 6
PS Upper Division Core Requirement 4 PS 404 8 Upper Division General Elective 4
General Elective 4 General Elective 4 General Elective 3
General Elective 4        
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 16 Total Spring Credits 13

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • PS Lower Division Requirement: Must take three of the following: PS 101 or 102 (not both), 204, 205, 208.
  • PS/PA Upper Division Elective: A minimum of three must be Political Science courses. See Bulletin for options.
  • PS Upper Division Core Requirement: Must take two courses from the following: PS 331, PS 335U, PS 419, PS 431.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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