Political Science is the study of government and politics and how they affect society. This major not only enables students to gain an understanding of political processes but also prepares them to become responsible citizens. Political Science courses cover topics such as the American presidency, political parties and electoral processes, constitutional law, legislative and judicial processes, foreign governments, and international politics. To serve the needs of its majors, the Political Science Department offers six program options: pre-law and legal studies, public policy and public administration, government and business, environmental studies, international and world affairs, and general Political Science. Political Science majors have the opportunity to participate in internships in the state legislature and in Washington, DC, for which college credit is usually given. Special honors courses are open to majors who wish to gain departmental honors status. To achieve honors in Political Science, a degree candidate must have at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average, enroll in at least six credit hours in upper-division honors sections of Political Science courses, and complete at least 15 credit hours of upper-division Political Science courses. Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M, D Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Multidisciplinary Studies B Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B=Bachelor's; M=Master's; D=Doctorate For more information, contact Dr. Allan Hammock at: 304-293-3198, ext. 5273 or at: Allan.Hammock@mail.wvu.edu Or visit our website at: www.polsci.wvu.edu

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 450 and a staff of 125 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 6,700 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and Sciences majors may, with permission, major in more than one discipline, and when appropriate, design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

Admission
If University admission requirements are met, a student may be accepted as a Pre-Political Science major. Upon the completion of 58 credit hours with at least a 2.1 cumulative grade point average, the student will be admitted to the major.

Curriculum
During the first two years as a Pre-Political Science major, a student completes courses in preparation for the degree program. Course work may consist of classes in political science, English, history, economics, sociology, philosophy, and geography. To learn more about the Political Science faculty, academic requirements, and career opportunities in the field, pre-majors should enroll in Political Science 199 (Orientation to Political Science). Majors must take a minimum of 39 credit hours of Political Science courses and six credit hours of introductory economics. Within the mandated 39 hours, each student is required to take the introductory course in each of the six program option fields and the senior capstone course. Additionally, all majors, except for those following the pre-law or government and business tracks, must take twelve credit hours in a secondary field.

Track Options
Any student interested in Political Science but undecided on a specific career goal may choose the General Political Science option. Course work covers all areas of the discipline as well as other social sciences and the humanities, such as sociology, psychology, philosophy, geography, history, and economics.

If a student plans a career in government service or in a nonprofit organization, he or she may choose the Public Policy and Administration track. Training in public policy analysis, public administration, and statistical techniques is emphasized. Experience in statistics and computer science is recommended.

In the Pre-Law and Legal Studies option, a background for the study of law or careers in criminal justice is provided. The curriculum for the program is drawn from various disciplines, including law, economics, English, philosophy, statistics, accounting, sociology, and psychology.

Foreign policy, international relations, and comparative governments are the main focus of study in the International and World Affairs track. Industrialized as well as developing countries are examined, and courses from a variety of disciplines are part of the program.

The Business and Government option emphasizes the interrelation in today’s world between government and business. Courses are drawn from economics, business, psychology, and sociology, as well as political science.

The Environmental Studies track is offered for students who wish to pursue careers dealing with environmental issues. This track emphasizes the study of policy issues, alternative solutions to environmental problems, and the scientific approach in both natural sciences and the policy sciences.

Course Work

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for a graduate in Political Science include city manager, lawyer, diplomat, educator, labor relations specialist, political consultant, public recreation director, public health official, urban planner, journalist, law enforcement officer, and lobbyist.

Graduate School Opportunities
A degree in Political Science is an excellent background for further study in business administration, public administration, public policy studies, political science, journalism, and law. WVU offers master’s and doctoral degrees in Political Science.

Salary Range
According to the 2003 National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Survey, the average salary for a social science bachelor’s degree was about $33,726.