Political Science, BA with Secondary Teaching Licensure Endorsement
Introduction
Please click here to see Political Science department information.
Political science focuses on fundamental questions that go to the heart of the human experience. Political science students study critical issues such as war and peace, international affairs, environmental challenges, poverty and racism, and the struggles of oppressed peoples. Such study prepares students for various careers by building analytical and writing skills while encouraging independent thought, respect, and interest in current affairs. Graduates commonly work in fields such as law and government, nonprofit organizations, teaching, journalism, international organizations, business, and election campaigns.
The Political Science department prepares students for informed and creative activism by providing them an opportunity to develop analytical skills. The program incorporates historical, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic, psychological, and creative methodologies while aiming to sensitize students to the essential questions of politics and life. Many of our graduates are community organizers, attorneys or public servants in local, state or federal government. We have become nationally known for our programs in indigenous politics, international human rights, and inner-city community development. Students will find ample opportunity to explore the innovative community engagement programs while receiving real-world experience in a variety of professional and community settings.
The secondary licensure program is a partnership program between the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and the School of Education & Human Development (SEHD). Secondary Education Licensure students choose a major within CLAS and complete all CORE, CLAS, major, and initial teacher education admission requirements before completing a final professional year of licensure coursework through the SEHD.
These degree requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their major advisor and CLAS advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.
Program Delivery
- This is an on-campus program.
Declaring This Major
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Click here to go to information about declaring a major.
General Requirements
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.
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Click here for information about Academic Policies
Program Requirements
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Students must complete a minimum of 39 PSCI credit hours.
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Students must complete a minimum of 21 upper division (3000-level and above) PSCI credit hours.
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Students must earn a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in all courses that apply to the major and must achieve a minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.0. Courses taken using P+/P/F or S/U grading cannot apply to program requirements.
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Students must complete a minimum of 15 PSCI credit hours with CU Denver faculty.
Program Restrictions, Allowances and Recommendations
Students are responsible for meeting with the advisor in the SEHD to confirm teacher education and licensure requirements. In addition to completing all minimum program requirements above, SEHD secondary education students must complete the following minimum SEHD licensure requirements:
- Complete the Education Declaration form and all subsequent processes and requirements, including a background check, prior to April 1st (for students intending to complete their clinical field experience in fall) or November 1st (for students intending to complete their clinical field experience in spring). Students must meet with the SEHD advisor for detailed information.
- Student pursuing secondary education licensure must complete the following requirements to be admitted to the Professional (final) Year:
- a minimum cumulative CU GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students with a lower GPA may be considered under certain conditions.
- all CU Denver Core, CLAS, major, electives, and initial teacher education coursework requirements prior to the start of the Professional Year
- the official application and interview process
- Deadlines for Professional Year application are February 15th (for students intending to begin Professional Year in fall) or October 1st (for students intending to begin Professional Year in spring).
- Students must complete all initial teacher education and professional (final) year coursework with a minimum grade of B- or higher.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following Political Science major requirements: | 39 | |
| Complete the following required courses: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Political Science: The Quest for Freedom and Justice | ||
| American Political System | ||
| Logic of Political Inquiry 1 | ||
| Complete two Political Theory courses from the approved course list: | 6 | |
| Political Theory | ||
| Complete one American Politics course from the approved course list: | 3 | |
| American Politics | ||
| Complete one Comparative Politics course from the approved course list: | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Complete one International Politics course from the approved course list: | 3 | |
| International Politics | ||
| Complete nine additional Political Science (PSCI) elective credit hours. | 9 | |
| Complete a minimum of three credit hours from the following Experiential Learning courses: 2 | 3 | |
| Topics: Conference Participation | ||
| Independent Study: PSCI | ||
| The Urban Citizen | ||
| Internship | ||
| Independent Study: PSCI | ||
| Directed Research | ||
| Community Organizing and Community Development | ||
| CU at the Capitol | ||
| Global Study Topics | ||
| Complete the Political Science Capstone course, after completing at least 27 credit hours in the major. | 3 | |
| Capstone in Political Science | ||
| In addition to the Political Science major requirements, students should complete secondary social science coursework and must complete licensure requirements as outlined by the School of Education and Human Development. | ||
| Secondary Social Studies Recommended Courses | ||
| SEHD Licensure Requirements | ||
- 1
This course must be taken by all majors as part of their first 24 credit hours in the program. If this requirement poses a hardship due to such issues as late-declaring majors, scheduling problems, or students transferring in multiple credits, please contact the Department undergraduate advisor to craft a solution.
Political Theory
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete two of the following | 6 | |
| Religion and Politics | ||
| Theories of Social and Political Change | ||
| Early Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Thought | ||
| Law, Politics and Justice | ||
| Coercion and the State | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Gender and Politics | ||
American Politics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following | 3 | |
| Race, Gender, Law and Public Policy 1 | ||
or PSCI 3035 | Political Movements: Race and Gender | |
| Power and Empowerment in the United States | ||
| Federal Law and American Indians | ||
| Film and Politics | ||
| The Urban Citizen | ||
| Politics of the Budgetary Process | ||
| Media and Politics | ||
| State Politics: Focus Colorado | ||
| Local Governance and Globalization | ||
| Political Parties and Pressure Groups | ||
| The Presidency | ||
| Urban Politics, Planning, and Development | ||
| Gentrification and Social Equity | ||
| Local Government and Administration | ||
| Seminar: American Politics | ||
| Denver Politics | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| American National Security | ||
| U.S. Health Policy | ||
| Environmental Politics | ||
| Non-Profits and Social Change | ||
| Contemporary Culture and Politics in America | ||
| Constitutional Law I | ||
| Constitutional Law II | ||
| Judicial Politics | ||
| Labor and Working Class Politics | ||
| Immigration Politics | ||
| Chicano and Latino Politics | ||
| Seminar on U.S. and China Relations | ||
| Women and the Law | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Civil Liberties | ||
| Community Organizing and Community Development | ||
| CU at the Capitol | ||
- 1
PSCI 3034 Race, Gender, Law and Public Policy or PSCI 3035 Political Movements: Race and Gender will also count as CU Denver Core Cultural Diversity, so students are advised to complete one of these courses.
Comparative Politics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following | 3 | |
| Political Systems of the World 2 | ||
| Comparative Governance: Environment and Society | ||
| Comparative Politics: Europe | ||
| Third World Politics | ||
| Indigenous Political Systems | ||
| Indigenous Politics | ||
| Gender Politics in the Middle East: Beyond Orientalism & Islamism | ||
| Political Systems of the Middle East and North Africa | ||
| The Arab-Israeli Peace Process | ||
| Islamic Politics and Culture | ||
| East Asia in World Affairs | ||
| Political Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Social Movements, Democracy and Global Politics | ||
| Women's Rights, Human Rights: Global Perspectives | ||
| Democracy and Democratization | ||
| Populist Movements around the World | ||
| Gender, Development and Globalization | ||
| Social Justice And Globalization | ||
| Advanced Indigenous Peoples' Politics | ||
| Political System of Russia and Its Neighbors | ||
| International Women's Resistance | ||
| Politics and Governments of South Asia | ||
| Politics and Government of China | ||
| Comparative Political Leadership | ||
| Political Violence | ||
| Community Organizing and Community Development | ||
| Global Study Topics | ||
- 2
PSCI 3022 Political Systems of the World and PSCI 3042 World Politics will also count as CU Denver Core International Perspectives, so students are advised to complete one of these courses to complete the Comparative or International Politics requirement.
International Politics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following | 3 | |
| World Politics 2 | ||
| Islamophobia | ||
| Power and Empowerment in the United States | ||
| Local Governance and Globalization | ||
| Comparative Politics: Europe | ||
| Third World Politics | ||
| Politics, Power, and Profit | ||
| Indigenous Political Systems | ||
| Indigenous Politics | ||
| Gender Politics in the Middle East: Beyond Orientalism & Islamism | ||
| Political Systems of the Middle East and North Africa | ||
| The Arab-Israeli Peace Process | ||
| Islamic Politics and Culture | ||
| Civil Resistance in Theory and Practice | ||
| Corruption in the U.S. and Abroad | ||
| East Asia in World Affairs | ||
| Political Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Social Movements, Democracy and Global Politics | ||
| Women's Rights, Human Rights: Global Perspectives | ||
| International Politics: Human Rights | ||
| Dictatorships in 21st Century | ||
| Democracy and Democratization | ||
| The United Nations in World Affairs | ||
| Politics and Markets in Latin America | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| American National Security | ||
| International Security | ||
| Gender, Development and Globalization | ||
| Social Justice And Globalization | ||
| International Law | ||
| Conflict Resolution and Public Consent Building | ||
| Conflicts and Rights in International Law | ||
| The Politics of War Law | ||
| International Relations: War or Peace? | ||
| Advanced International Political Economy: Globalization | ||
| Global Ecological Crises | ||
| Advanced Indigenous Peoples' Politics | ||
| Political System of Russia and Its Neighbors | ||
| International Women's Resistance | ||
| Politics and Governments of South Asia | ||
| Politics and Government of China | ||
| Seminar on U.S. and China Relations | ||
| The Middle East in World Affairs | ||
| Political Violence | ||
| Strategies of Peacebuilding | ||
| War, Film, and International Law | ||
| Global Study Topics | ||
- 2
PSCI 3022 Political Systems of the World and PSCI 3042 World Politics will also count as CU Denver Core International Perspectives, so students are advised to complete one of these courses to complete the Comparative or International Politics requirement.
Secondary Social Studies Recommended Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| In order to prepare for the Social Studies licensure, students should take all of the following courses: | ||
| These courses will also count toward Political Science CU Denver and CLAS graduation requirements, as identified. | ||
Anthropology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Culture and the Human Experience |
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ANTH 1303 Introduction to Biological Anthropology Will count as CU Denver Core Nat/Phys Science with lab. ANTH 2102 Culture and the Human Experience will count toward either CU Denver Behavioral Science or CLAS Behavioral Science.
Economics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics |
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Will count as CU Denver Core Social Sciences or CLAS Social Science.
Geography
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| World Regions Global Context | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography |
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GEOG 1202 Introduction to Physical Geography will count as CLAS Nat/Phys Science without lab and GEOG 1102 will count as CU Denver Core Social Science or CLAS Social Science.
History
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. History to 1876 | ||
| U.S. History Since 1876 |
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HIST 1361 U.S. History to 1876 and HIST 1362 U.S. History Since 1876 will fulfill the CU Denver Core Humanities and the CLAS Humanities requirements.
Political Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Political Systems of the World | ||
or PSCI 3042 | World Politics | |
| Race, Gender, Law and Public Policy | ||
or PSCI 3035 | Political Movements: Race and Gender | |
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PSCI 3022 Political Systems of the World or PSCI 3042 World Politics will count as CU Denver Core International Perspectives.
PSCI 3034 Race, Gender, Law and Public Policy or PSCI 3035 Political Movements: Race and Gender will count as CU Denver Core Cultural Diversity.
Psychology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Psychology II |
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Will count toward either CU Denver Behavioral Science or CLAS Behavioral Science.
SEHD Licensure Coursework Requirements
Students must complete SEHD licensure requirements located here.
To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for this program, please visit our website.
To review the Degree Map for this program, please visit our website.