Political Science: General Political Science, BALAS

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


See the Political Science BALAS page for departmental distinction information.


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


See the Political Science Distinction page for departmental distinction information.


Political Science Core Requirements

Students may count a maximum of six (6) hours of credit of any combination of hours from PS 494 toward the advanced hours requirement. Not more than 6 hours of individual study courses in political science (PS 490) or 6 hours of internships (PS 491) or 6 hours of supervised research (PS 492) may be included in the major; a student with any mix of independent study hours and internship hours and supervised research hours may include a maximum of 9 hours of such credit in the major. (PS 496) is reserved for those seniors doing honors theses for distinction in political science and may not be counted in the 45-hour minimum required for the major.

General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.


Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 70 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.


Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

General Political Science Concentration Requirements

PS 100Intro to Political Science3
Select any additional 100- or 200-level Political Science courses9
Select any 300- or 400-level Political Science courses15
Select Political Science courses at any level6
Students will select a second major, or a minor, or a set of courses of at least 12 hours of thematically-related coursework outside political science, developed in conjunction with an academic advisor.12
Total Hours45

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


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 fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree General and Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Free elective course1PS 100- or 200- level course3
PS 1003PS 100- or 200- level course3
General Education course3Free elective course2
Language Other than English (3rd level)4General Education course or Composition 13
Composition I or General Education course4Language Other than English (4th level)4
 15 15
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
PS 100- or 200- level course3PS 100-400 level course3
Thematic related coursework3Thematic related coursework3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 15 15
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
PS 100-400 level course3PS 300- or 400-level course3
PS 300- or 400-level course3Thematic related coursework3
PS 300- or 400- level course3General Education course3
General Education course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
 15 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
PS 300- or 400- level course3PS 300- or 400- level course3
General Education course3Thematic related coursework3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
 15 15
Total Hours 120

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


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/