for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science

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Students must complete one concentration in consultation with an academic advisor.

• Citizen Politics Concentration

• Civic Leadership Concentration

• General Political Science Concentration

• International Relations Concentration

• Law & Power Concentration

• Public Policy & Democratic Institutions Concentration

• World Politics Concentration

5 Year BALAS /MA in Political Science and European Union Studies
The Department of Political Science, along with the European Union Center, offers a 5 year BALAS/MA in Political Science and European Union Studies.  In order to be admitted to this degree program, students apply through a joint application process to their BALAS –granting program and the European Union Center during their third year of studies. Requirements for this degree program are identical to those for the stand-alone BALAS and for the stand-alone MAEUS. Students will receive both degrees when the requirements are met for the degrees; BALAS and MA degrees will be conferred separately and independently. More detailed information may be obtained from department and EUC offices.

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Departmental distinction
To be eligible for distinction, a student majoring in Political Science must complete one of the following two tracks:

1. Individual Study Track. On this track, a student must:
   1. Complete a senior thesis,
   2. Earn a political science major grade point average on this campus of at least 3.25 or higher, and
   3. Earn a grade point average in of 3.67 or higher.
2. Honors Program Track. On this track, a student must:
   1. Complete a senior thesis,
   2. Earn a political science major grade point average on this campus of at least 3.25 or higher,
   3. Be admitted to and maintain good standing within the departmental honors program, and
   4. Complete required coursework in the departmental honors program with a grade point average in and between 2.67 and 3.66.

Admission to the departmental honors program requires the following:

1. Completion of or or an acceptable substitute,
2. An on-campus political science major grade point average of 3.5,
3. Completion of nine hours (including at least three advanced hours) of political science on this campus,
4. Application and affirmative vote of a departmental committee.

High Distinction
To be eligible for high distinction, a student majoring in Political Science must:

1. Complete a senior thesis,
2. Earn a political science major grade point average on this campus of at least 3.25 or higher,
3. Be admitted to and maintain good standing in the departmental honors program, and
4. Complete required coursework in the departmental honors program with a grade point average in and of 3.67 or higher.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science

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1. Students will be able to apply central concepts of the scientific method to the study of politics, and demonstrate an ability to draw inferences from data.
2. Students will have a foundational knowledge of facts, concepts, and typologies in their chosen subfield in political science.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of central theories in their chosen subfield and show how to evaluate those theories.
4. Students will be able to define political science and its subfields, drawing contrasts with other social sciences.
5. Students will be able to apply concepts, methods, and theories to research projects, internships, and/or off-campus experiences.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science

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Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree General and Education Requirements page.

First Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
NEW XXX		NEW XXX (or substitute NEW XXX)
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		Language Other than English (3rd level) or Comp. I	4
NEW XXX
Free elective course	2
Comp. I or Language Other than English (3rd level)	4
	6		4
Second Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
General Education course	3	NEW XXX
		Free elective course	3
	3		3
Third Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
	0		0
Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours	Second Semester	Hours
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
NEW XXX		NEW XXX
		NEW XXX
	0		0
Total Hours 16

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science

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department website: https://www.pol.illinois.edu

department faculty: Political Science Faculty

advising: Political Science advising

overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences

college website: https://las.illinois.edu/