CORE COURSEWORK (21 credits)
- GOVT 510 – American Government and Politics
- GOVT 520 – Political Theory
- GOVT 530 – Comparative Politics Fall
- GOVT 540 – International Relations
- GOVT 500 – The Scientific Method & Research Design
- POGO 511 – Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government (Prerequisite: Passing grade on statistical screening exam; For more information, please visit schar.gmu.edu/511)
- GOVT 798 – Political Science Research Project (or GOVT 799 if thesis option chosen)
ELECTIVES (15 credits)
International Security (2 required and 2 approved Intel electives)
- GOVT 745
- Pick one of the following courses: PUBP 504, 505, or 506
- Approved International Security Elective
- Approved International Security Elective
American Government and Politics (select 2 of 4 electives)
- GOVT 603 – Seminar in the Courts & Constitutional Law
- GOVT 604 – Seminar on Congress & Legislative Behavior
- GOVT 605 – Seminar on the Presidency
- GOVT 706 – Federalism & Intergovernmental Relations
Comparative Politics (2 required electives)
- GOVT 631 – Seminar in Comparative Politics & Institutions
- GOVT 731 – Advanced Seminar in Comparative Politics
International Relations (select 2 of 3 electives)
- GOVT 741 – Advanced Seminar in International Relations
- GOVT 743 – International Political Economy
- GOVT 745 – International Security
CONCENTRATION AND SPECIALIZATION OPTIONS/ELECTIVE COURSES
Students must declare either a concentration or a specialization in one of the areas listed below. A concentration is a structured curriculum with a required set of core courses and a pre-approved set of supplemental courses listed below. A specialization is a more flexible curriculum with a required set of core courses and flexibility regarding supplemental courses. A concentration will appear on a student’s diploma and transcript, while a specialization will not. The concentration and specializations for Political Science are:
- Concentration in International Security
- Specialization in American Government and Politics
- Specialization in Comparative Politics
- Specialization in International Relations
Courses listed below will automatically apply to the concentration or specialization under which they fall as concentration/specialization electives. Students may petition their advisor to apply courses from outside this list to their concentration/specialization.
All non-Schar courses have to be pre-approved by your academic advisor before registering. PhD level courses and/or foreign language courses are not permissible elective options.
CONCENTRATIONS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM
Concentration in International Security
- GOVT 741 - Advanced Seminar in International Politics
- BIOD 621 - Ethics and International Security
- BIOD 622 - Negotiating in the International Arena
- BIOD 705 - Intelligence: Theory and Practice
- BIOD 706 - Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security
- BIOD 709 - Nonproliferation and Arms Control
- BIOD 722 - Examining Terrorist Groups
- BIOD 725 - Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction
- BIOD 760 - National Security Technology and Policy
American Government and Politics Specialization
- GOVT 603 – Seminar in the Courts and Constitutional Law
- GOVT 604 – Seminar on Congress and Legislative Behavior
- GOVT 605 – Seminar on the Presidency
- GOVT 706 – Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
International Relations Specialization
- GOVT 741 – Advanced Seminar in International Politics
- GOVT 743 – International Political Economy
- GOVT 745 – International Security