Political Science (BA/BS)
The mission of Dallas Baptist University's Political Science program is to foster an appreciation for the study of government and politics and to encourage students to become informed and concerned participants in a democratic society. To achieve this purpose, the program offers a broad introduction to political institutions, processes, and behavior. In doing so, the program seeks to produce servant leaders who have the ability to integrate faith and learning through their respective callings.
Goals of the Political Science Major
Expose students to foundational courses in American national government and state and local government.
Offer a variety of upper-level courses in the areas of American government, comparative governments, international relations, political theory, constitutional law, and public administration.
Provide a broad liberal arts background for those students intending to enter public service, to attend law school, or to pursue graduate study.
Encourage students to take advantage of practical learning opportunities through internship programs.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
courses | credit hours (ba) | credit hours (bS) |
|---|---|---|
Developing A Christian Mind | 3 | 3 |
English | 12 | 9 |
ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric I ENGL 1302 - Composition and Rhetoric II | ||
ENGL 2301 - World Literature I and/or ENGL 2302 - World Literature II | ||
Fine Arts | 3 | 3 |
Foreign Language | 14* | 0 |
Foundations for Excellence | 1 | 1 |
FOUN 1101 - Foundations for Excellence is required of all first-year and transfer students with fewer than 15 credit hours. (AP, CLEP, IB, or dual/concurrent credit earned while in high school does not count toward these 15 credit hours.) | ||
History | 6 | 6 |
Choose two: HIST 1301 - U.S. History to 1865 HIST 1302 - U.S. History Since 1865 HIST 2301 - World Civilization I HIST 2302 - World Civilization II | ||
Kinesiology | 2 | 2 |
KNES 1101 - Fitness for Living and one additional activity course (KNES 1102-1122); for veterans or those 25 years of age or older prior to enrollment at DBU, KNES courses are waived. | ||
Mathematics | 3 | 3 |
[Math Advising Tool (eMAT) required prior to registering for any Math class or any class for which the eMAT is a prerequisite.] (BA) Choose one: MATH 1301 - Math for Liberal Arts MATH 1303 - College Algebra MATH 1307 - Finite Math for Business Analysis MATH 1405 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Choose one: MATH 1303 - College Algebra MATH 1307 - Finite Math for Business Analysis MATH 1405 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
Natural Science (1000 or 2000 level courses only) | 4 | 15 |
One laboratory science (BA) or 15 credit hours of laboratory science (BS) selected from two or more areas of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Physical Science, or Physics | ||
Religion | 9 | 9 |
RELI 1301 - Old Testament Survey RELI 1302 - New Testament Survey and three additional credit hours depending on credit hours transferred at time of initial enrollment | ||
TOTAL GENERAL STUDIES HOURS | 57 | 51 |
Political Science Major | 30 | 30 |
POLS 2301 - American National Government. POLS 2302 - State and Local Governments POLS 3305 - Constitutional Law POLS 4305 - American Political Tradition POLS 4310 - Fundamentals of International Relations (S-L) POLS 3313 - Internship in Political Science (S-L) Plus 12 elective political sciences hours with a minimum 6 upper level hours. | ||
Electives | ||
Upper-Level Lower or Upper-Level | 24 9 | 24 15 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED | 120 | 120 |
A 120-credit-hour minimum for a bachelor's degree is required, including 42 upper-level credit hours.
Minimum GPA Required for Graduation from Dallas Baptist University
DBU requires a minimum institutional cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.
(S-L) = Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.
MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
See information about the Political Science minor here.
A Minor in Legal Studies is offered for interested students.
ACCELERATED DEGREES AVAILABLE
DBU also offers Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program(s) for this degree available for qualifying undergraduate students. Refer to Accelerated Bachelor's and Master's Degree Program Requirements for additional information.BA/BS in Political Science/MA in International Studies
Refer to individual course descriptions for course requisites.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Find course descriptions by category under the Undergraduate Course Descriptions section in the navigation panel.