Political Science

The Political Science Program at the University of Montevallo offers courses in American politics, international relations, political philosophy, and the role of law in society. Political Science studies provide the communication skills that support active citizenship and empowerment. It incorporates themes, issues, and information related to a variety of disciplines, including History, Sociology, Philosophy, Geography, and Economics. It is a core discipline embodying the highest standards of a liberal arts education. Political Science students may be interested in the Pre-Law minor or the Peace and Justice Studies minor.

Why UM for Political Science?

Emphasis on communication, research, and critical thinking skills
Prepares students to be informed citizen leaders
Internship opportunities both in-state and in Washington, D.C.
Scholarships available
Career opportunities in law, academia, public administration, public policy and foreign service

"The Political Science Program gave me confidence and discipline that still show up in everything I do. The foundation I got at UM shaped how I lead, how I communicate and how I make decisions under pressure. Many of the people I have helped elect to office would not be sitting in their seats today without the skills and training I first developed at Montevallo. "
- Daniel Deriso '16, CEO, Voteshift

Degree/Course Requirements

Political Science Major Requirements (30 hours)

Major Course Requirements (30 hours)

POS 200 (American National Government) (3)

POS 300 (Introduction to Political Science) (3)

POS 370 (Research Methods in Social Sciences) (3)

POS 385 (Modern Political Thought) (3)

Choose: POS 444 (Public Policy) or POS 446 (Social Policy) or POS 447 (The Politics of Sin) or POS 448 (Environmental Policy) (3)

POS 455 (International Relations) (3)

POS 475 (Constitutional Law) (3)

POS 499 (Political Science Senior Seminar) (3)

POS electives (12 credit hours)

General Education Core (54-59 hours)

First-Year Seminar….……………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 hours
- Choose: UM 101 or HNRS 101
Written Composition……………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 hours
- Choose: ENG 101 or 103 (Composition I)
- Choose: ENG 102 or 104 (Composition II)
Humanities & Fine Arts…………………………………………………………………….………….……… 18 hours
- Choose one Literature: ENG 231 or 233 (Global Literature I) * or ENG 232 or 234 (Global Literature II) Students must take at least one six-hour sequence in Literature or History. Students may take both sequences.
- Choose Communications: COMS 101 or 102 (Foundations in Oral Communication)
- Choose one Fine Art: ART 100, 120, 218, 219, 220; MC 100, 325; MUS 121 or 122, 125, 211, 240, 255, 342; THEA 120 or 122, 123
- Choose one Humanity: AAS 200, FRN 101, 102 or 150, 201, 202 or 250; GER 101, 102, 201, 202; PHIL 110 or 111, 180,
- 220 or 221, 230, 280, 290; REL 110; SPN 101 or 103, 102 or 104 or 150, 201, 202 or 250
- Choose two additional Literature, Humanity or Fine Arts courses not used above: AAS 200, ART 100, 120, 218, 219, 220;
- ENG 231 or 233, 232 or 234; FRN 101, 102 or 150, 201, 202 or 250; GER 101, 102, 201, 202; MC 100, 325; MUS 121/122,
- 125, 211, 240, 255, 342; PHIL 110 or 111, 180, 220, 221, 230, 280, 290; REL 110; SPN 101 or 103, 102 or 104 or 150, 201,
- 202 or 250; THEA 120 or 122, 123
Natural Sciences & Mathematics…………………………………………………………………………. 11 hours
- Choose two lab sciences. Must be from two different disciplines: BIO 100, 105 or 107, 106; CHEM 100, 101, 102, 121, 122; ESCI 100; GEOL 110, 115 PHYS 100, 201, 241
- Choose one Mathematics: MATH 144, 147, 149, 150, 154 or 155, 157, 170
History, Social & Behavioral Sciences………………………………………….…..……………….…. 12 hours
- Choose HIST 101 or 103 (World Civilization I) *
- Choose HIST 102 or 104 (World Civilization II)
- Choose: POS 200
- Choose one of the following: SOC 101/102; POS 250; PSYC 201; EC 231, 232; SWK 203, 260, 322
Personal Development ……………………………………………………..……….………………..…..….. 3 hours
- Choose one of the following: ART 250, 255; CS 161; ED 427, 447; ES 200; EXNS 120; FCS 281; MATH 261; MIS 161; MUS 228

Additional requirements for degree (7-12 hours)

Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree…..……….………………..…..….12 hours

Complete the second-year sequence of a world language (201 and 202 or 250): ASL, FRN, GER, SPN. OR complete the first-year sequence of two different world languages.

Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Science………………………..7 hours

Choose an additional 7 hours in mathematics and/or science not used towards requirement #3 above.

General Electives (28-33 hours)

Political Science majors must take 28-33 credit hours in general electives comprised of courses of their choosing. These hours can be counted toward a minor or a double major.

Political Science Minor Requirements (18 hours)

POS 200 (American National Government) (3)

POS 444 (Public Policy) (3)

POS (455 International Relations) (3)

POS 475 (Constitutional Law) (3)

POS electives (6 credit hours)

Pre-Law Minor Requirements (18 credit hours)

POS 385 (Modern Political Thought) (3)

POS 475 (Constitutional Law) (3)

SOC 342 (Criminology) (3)

9 credit hours of electives chosen from the following courses:

BL 283 (Legal Environment of Business)

BL 384 (Business Law)

COMS 330 (Persuasion)

ES 423 (Environmental Policy)

HIST 310 (Introduction to Historical Study)

MC 455 (Media Law & Ethics)

PHIL 180 (Critical Reasoning)

POS 200 (American National Government)

POS 250 (State and Local Government)

POS 380 (Foundations of Political Thought)

POS 422 (American Political Thought)

SOC 303 (Selected Topics in Sociology)

SOC 315 (Drugs and Society)

SOC 317 (Prisons and Mass Incarceration)

SOC 341 (Juvenile Delinquency)

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Student Advising

Career Opportunities

Career-Ready Graduates

Political Science majors have a variety of exciting career options from which to choose. Political Science is an excellent pre-professional degree. Many graduates choose to continue their education in law school, while others may pursue graduate studies in Political Science or a related field. Persons with advanced degrees in Political Science are prepared to become college professors, professional administrators, or researchers. Potential employers include state and federal agencies, congressional offices, private think tanks and interest groups, national political parties, the U.S. Foreign Service, the CIA, the FBI, and international agencies and organizations.

Scholarships & Aid

Student Aid

The University of Montevallo Student Aid Office is here to assist UM students and families with the financial aid process. We invite you to review the information provided on our webpages and contact us with questions and for assistance.

Student Aid

Scholarships

All entering freshmen and transfer students admitted to UM by the scholarship priority deadline will be included in the scholarship evaluation for merit-based scholarships. In addition to merit-based awards, scholarships are also available based on financial need, leadership, community service, choice of major, and other miscellaneous criteria.

BSS Departmental Scholarships