This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The Department of Political Science offers a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as elective courses in political science for program majors and non-majors.
The political science curriculum has two central objectives. It offers the student a broad liberal arts education along with a comprehensive understanding of the nature and the functioning of the political process and government. It also provides a sound foundation for graduate study in political science, public administration and nonprofit management, or for careers that require knowledge of governance and the political process, such as law.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:
Political science core outcomes
- Assumptions, methods and analytical tools
Demonstrate knowledge of the assumptions, methods and analytical tools of the discipline of political science - Current political and policy issues
Demonstrate knowledge of current political and policy issues - Theory and principles of four subfields
Demonstrate an understanding of basic theory and conceptual principles of political science in the four subfields of American government, political theory, international relations and comparative politics - Advanced understanding of one subfield
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of current theoretical and empirical study in one subfield - Expository and analytic writing
Demonstrate skill in expository and analytic writing in the political science discipline - Political behavior
Demonstrate knowledge of the ways in which individuals, national governmental organizations, political movements and parties, nation-states, and intergovernmental institutions work to achieve their political objectives
Honors in political science
Political science majors can earn honors in political science. Students earn honors status when they complete POLI 490 Senior Seminar with an A grade and graduate with an overall 3.0 GPA and a 3.3 GPA in political science.
Special requirements
To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, students must complete 45 upper-level credits (including upper-level course work in the major) and maintain a cumulative and major GPA of 2.0. Students may count a maximum of six internship and three independent study credits toward the major. Students may also apply three credits from courses in other departments toward the major with prior approval from the department chair.
Degree requirements for Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| POLI 107 | Political Theory | 3 |
| POLI 109 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
POLI 320  Play course video for Research Methods in Political Science | Research Methods in Political Science | 3 |
| POLI 490 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| • Major electives | ||
| POLI electives (select from 300 and 400 level) | 18 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| POLI 103 | U.S. Government and Politics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| POLI/INTL 105 | International Relations (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts 1 | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 0-6 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 50-58 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Course offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| POLI 103 | U.S. Government and Politics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University | 1 |
| UNIV 111 Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language 101 | 3 | |
| General education course (select quantitative foundations) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 14-16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| POLI/INTL 105 | International Relations (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Foreign language 102 | 3 | |
| General education course (select AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| POLI 107 | Political Theory | 3 |
| POLI 109 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| POLI 320 Play course video for Research Methods in Political Science | Research Methods in Political Science | 3 |
| POLI electives | 6 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| General education course (select BOK to complete breadth of knowledge requirement) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| POLI elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| General education course (select BOK to complete breadth of knowledge requirement) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| POLI elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| POLI 490 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Open electives | 9 | |
| POLI elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Open electives | 12 | |
| POLI elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-122 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.