Programs of Study

Political Science Major

Students who declare a major in political science must complete a probationary period, after which the department will review their progress to determine whether they will be granted full admission to the degree program. Each spring the academic progress of all majors is reviewed. Department faculty work closely with students to help set high academic standards and to assist them in achieving their goals. An overall 2.5 grade point average is required for admission to the major. Completion of all college requirements and a 2.5 grade point average in the major courses are required.

All students complete eight required political science courses and seven political science electives from among the many courses offered by the department. Pre-approved off-campus study and cognate courses from other disciplines may be used to fulfill political science elective courses.

Required Courses: (1) American Government, (2) International Relations or American Foreign Policy, (3) Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Politics, (4) American Congress, American Presidency or State and Local Politics, (5) Public Administration, (6) Political Theory or American Political Thought, (7) Research Methods in Social Science or Statistics in Social Science, and (8) Political Science Project.

Required Courses: Seven additional political science courses.

Political Science Minor

A student must achieve a 2.5 grade point average in eight political science courses (including American Government) to be certified to graduate with a political science minor.

Required Courses: American Government plus seven political science electives.

Required Courses: Seven additional political science courses.

International Relations Concentration

The International Relations (IR) concentration within Political Science addresses a significant need in an era of globalization. Mercyhurst students can now specialize in International Relations, focus on courses most relevant to this field, and graduate with a diploma that explicitly identifies IR as their chosen field of study. Students who select the International Relations concentration are preparing for a variety of careers, including diplomacy, academia, journalism, public service, or work with the vast array of non-governmental organizations engaged in advocacy and service around the world. The marketable skills at the heart of this concentration are research skills, the ability to read critically and engage in thoughtful analysis, an appreciation of diverse views and complexity, an enhanced understanding of world events and the political actors and conditions that influence these events, plus an increased interest in – and tolerance for – different cultures and societies.

All students complete eight required courses and seven electives. Pre-approved off-campus study and cognate courses from other disciplines may be used to fulfill political science elective courses.

Required Courses: (1) American Government, (2) Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Politics, (3) Geopolitics, (4) and two comparative politics courses (Comparative Politics: Asia, Comparative Politics: Europe, Comparative Politics of the Global Balkans, American Foreign Policy or International Relations, Model United Nations, Senior Project).

Electives: (1) The Vietnam War, American Foreign Policy (if not taken as a requirement above),Politics of Russia, Intelligence and National Security, International Relations (if not taken as a requirement above), Politics of the Global Economy, Political Theory, World Politics, and any other 3-credit Political Science course (limit TWO).

Pre Law Concentration in Political Science

Majoring in political science is great preparation for law school. In fact, political science is among the most common majors for students currently enrolled in US law schools. The Department of Political Science at Mercyhurst College takes great pride in its pre-law curriculum, which incorporates political science, sociology, psychology, and philosophy courses. Political science students have the opportunity to complete nearly one dozen different courses related legal theory and practice, and complete internships with a wide variety of organizations and law firms. Required and elective courses are chosen with the help of the student's advisor, who customizes a curriculum that fits the student's interests and professional goals.

Environmental Studies and Politics Concentration

The Environmental Studies and Politics Program is directed at students who are considering graduate studies, law school or careers in work related to the environment. It is an interdisciplinary study that includes courses in political science and the natural sciences. The Environmental Studies and Politics Program is the only program of its kind in the region. The program is structured to allow students to organize electives to focus on the aspect of the program that they find most interesting and to strengthen their preparation for a specific career track. For example, a student preparing for law school can use electives to take more courses in law. A student interested in public policy can use electives to take more courses in public administration.

Required Political Science Courses: (1) American Government, (2) Introduction to Public Administration, (3) Environmental Politics, (4) American Legal Process, (5) Political Parties and Interest Groups, (6) Contemporary Environmental Issues, (7) Environmental History of the U.S., (8) State and Local Politics, (9) Environmental Law, (10) Research Methods in Social Science, (11) Environmental Philosophy (12) World Politics, Comparative Politics: Asia or Geopolitics, (13) Political Science Project, and (14) Internship or Thesis.

Required Natural Science Courses: (1) Environmental Problem Solving and Lab, (2) Plant Science and Lab, (3) Chemical Principles and Lab, (4) Physical Geology and Lab, (5) Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Lab, and (6) Applied Environmental Science and Lab.