Sample Degree Pathway for Political Science

For students who entered fall 2015 to spring 2020.

Note: Majors must choose a focus area.1

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
POLI.1010Intro to American Politics (Social Responsibility and Ethics - SRE)3
FAHS.1090First Year Seminar1
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 and Culture3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)23
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)2 - PSYC.1010 recommended3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
POLI.1120 /
POLI.1210		Intro to Comp. Pol. Systems / Intro to Intern. Relations (DCA)3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 & Culture3
xxxx.xxxxScience with/Lab Persp. (SCL)23/4
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)23
Total15/16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
POLI.2010Research Methods (IL)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)23
xxxx.xxxxScience with/Lab Persp. (SCL)23/4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 & Culture or World Ready Elective33
xxxx.xxxxMath Persp. (MATH) - MATH.2830 recommended3
Total15/16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
POLI.3010Quantitative Research Methods (CTPS), (QL)3
POLI.xxxxFocus Elective13
POLI.xxxxFocus Elective13
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 & Culture or World Ready Elective33
xxxx.xxxxPolitical Science or Free Elective3
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
POLI.xxxxFocus Elective13
POLI.xxxxFocus Elective13
POLI.xxxxPolitical Science or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSTEM Persp. (STEM)23
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)23
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
POLI.xxxxFocus Elective13
POLI.xxxxFocus Elective13
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)23
xxxx.xxxxWorld Ready Elective3 or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15
`

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
POLI.4xxxApproved 4000-level Seminar (WOC)43
xxxx.xxxxPolitical Science or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
POLI.4960 /
POLI.4970		Experiential Learning in Poli Sci / Practicum in the Law (AIL)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120

Minimum Political Science Credits: 36

Maximum Political Science Credits That Can Be Counted Toward Graduation: 45

Minimum Upper Level Credits: 18 with a minimum of 6 at 4000 level plus 12 at 3000 Level or higher (POLI.3010, POLI.4960 or POLI.4970 count toward these requirements). One of these advanced courses must be a Seminar, which is a small class of advanced students, focused on more intensive writing than usual classes. The topics of seminar courses will vary each semester with the interests of department faculty. An alternative to a standard Seminar course is to select POLI.4010 Research Seminar in Political Science after prior discussion with a professor. This individualized course requires an extensive research paper. The course can be taken in conjunction with a regular course in the same or subsequent semester, working with that professor to produce a research project in addition to the normal work of that course.

You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Political Science and Core Curriculum requirements.

1The department focuses on four main fields within the discipline: American Politics, International Politics, Law & Politics, and Political Communication. Majors choose one area of focus, in which they take the following courses:

  • American Politics, Government, and Policy: at least 5 courses in this area, at least 1 International course, and 1 additional course in any area of political science.
  • International Relations & Comparative Politics: at least 5 courses in this area, at least 1 American Course (or a Law & Politics Course or Political Communication & Public Opinion Course with an American focus), and 1 additional course in any area of political science.
  • Law & Politics: at least 5 courses in this area, at least 1 International course (or Political Communication & Public Opinion Course with an International focus), and 1 additional course in any area of political science.
  • Political Communication & Public Opinion: at least 5 courses in this area, at least 1 International course (or a Law & Politics Course with an International focus), and 1 additional course in any area of political science.

2No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details.

3World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that laanguage, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

4Political Science majors satisfy the Written and Oral Communication (WOC) ELO by taking an approved, 4000-level Political Science seminar course. See your Advisement Report or the WOC Course Listing for a current list of approved courses.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

American Politics, Government, and Policy

International Relations & Comparative Politics

Law & Politics

International Focus

American Focus

Political Communication & Public Opinion

International Focus

  • POLI.2110 Media and Politics Around the World
  • POLI.4220 Political Communication and Media Studies
  • POLI.4450 Politics of Repression and Dissent

American Focus

Last updated: 07/02/2020.