Requirements of the Major:

At least 30 credits of political science course work (based on the three-credit-hour per course system), consisting of 10 courses*. Only four credits of honors thesis research may be counted in the total 30 credits.
*Transfer credit for courses taken outside Tulane University involving different credit systems will be evaluated case by case.

Distribution of Course Work:

At least one course in each of the following subfield areas:

American Political Processes and Institutions
POLA 210 or any other course with a POLA designation

Comparative Political Processes and Institutions
POLC 230 or any other course with a POLC designation

International Politics, Organization, and Law
POLI 250 or any other course with a POLI designation

Political Theory
POLT 270 or any other course with a POLT designation

Level of Course Work:

• At least one course at the 100 or 200 level.

• At least two courses at the 400 level or above. This does not include internships, independent studies, or honors thesis credits.

• Either one course at the 600 level or one four-credit writing course in political science. Honors theses written in political science do not count as political science writing courses.

Policy Analysis Component:

Students will elect one of the following indicated tracks.

Methods track
SOCI 303 Introduction to Research Design and SOCI 304 Introduction to Research Analysis (Note: This is a two-course sequence)
– or –
POLS 601 Conduct of Research (Note: This is a graduate/undergraduate, advanced level methodology course.)

Practice track
POLS 456 (or 457) Internship (Note: According to college rules, students may not exceed six credits of internship as applied toward their total credit hours for graduation.)

Electives:

Students selecting the concentration in American politics and policy are expected to focus their political science course work in the subfield most relevant to their interests (POLA). In addition, students will select three courses for a total of nine credits from related electives in American area studies. Students interested in alternative additional related electives or interested in this concentration should consult with Professor Maveety.

Grade Point Average:

According to college rules, all students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better, and a GPA in their major of 2.0 or better, at the time of graduation.