Major and Minor Requirements

Areas of study include American government and politics, constitutional law, political theory, public administration, international relations and comparative politics. Study also focuses on how public policies are developed at the federal, state and metropolitan levels. Political philosophy and American political classics are studied and taught in their original formats as expressions of the liberal arts of free citizenship.

Students in the department also study the nature of various governments found in the world today, as well as the economic, historical , cultural and ethical factors which are at the base of conflicts in international relations. Political science majors typically take advantage of internship and off-campus study opportunities in Lansing, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago and other cities in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Students interested in American politics, foreign policy and public law are especially encouraged to take a junior-year internship with either the Washington Semester Program at the American University or The Washington Center.

The American University/Albion College M.P.A. Program

Albion College is one of a select few liberal arts colleges to have stablished a "linkage" agreement with the master of public administration (M.P.A.) program at The American University in Washington, D.C. The linkage agreement guarantees admission to The American University's M.P.A. program for Albion College students majoring in political science provided that they:

• Graduate with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0;
• Submit three letters of recommendation certifying their ability to do graduate-level work;
• Submit an essay to The American University describing their education and career objectives;
• Submit GRE scores if they are seeking financial aid from The American University.

Requirements for Major

• A minimum of eight units in political science, including 105 and at least one unit in each of the four fields in the department: American government and politics, international relations and comparative politics, political theory (Political Science 351,355 or Political Science 367), and political research.
• No more than one unit of 391, 392 may be counted toward a major.
• All courses for the major must be taken for a  numerical grade,  except  391 and 392. In order for a course to count for the political science major, the student must earn at least a 2.0 in the course.
• Political science majors are strongly encouraged to achieve basic competency in statistics (Mathematics 109 or Mathematics 210 are appropriate) and at least one foreign language.

Note: Freshmen may enroll in 300 level courses only with permission of the instructor.

The Public Policy major at Albion College

Requirements for Major with Secondary Education Certification

• Eight units in political science, as outlined above in the section "Requirements for Major."
• Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Minor with Secondary Education Certification

• Five units in political science, including: 101, 202, an additional unit in the field of American government and politics, a unit in political theory, and an elective in the department.
• Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Minor in Political Science

• Six units in political science, including: 101, 202, one additional unit in the area of American politics, one additional unit in political theory and two electives in the department.