COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Political Science at Southeast Missouri State University requires a 36-hour major along with a minor, combining core political science knowledge with analytical and quantitative skill development. The curriculum begins with foundational courses such as Introduction to Political Science and a Senior Seminar, along with a senior assessment. Students must complete one introductory course in either U.S. Political Systems or Comparative Political Systems, followed by 15 credit hours distributed across the five major subfields: American Government and Politics, Comparative Government and Politics, International Politics, Public Administration, and Political Theory, ensuring a well-rounded academic base. In addition, students select 6 hours in a chosen specialty subfield to deepen expertise, along with 6 hours of general political science electives, with at least 9 hours taken at the advanced 300-level or above.A distinguishing feature of the BS program is its emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills. Students are required to take an introductory computer applications course and complete a statistics course from options such as probability, business analytics, psychological research, or social science statistics. There is also an additional mathematics requirement of at least 5 credit hours at or above the MA123 level, reinforcing data literacy and analytical thinking. The program offers a wide range of subfield course options, including topics like campaigns and elections, international organizations, public policy, terrorism, political theory, and administrative processes, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. Some advanced public administration courses also provide a pathway toward an accelerated Master of Public Administration (MPA). Overall, this structured yet flexible program prepares students for careers in government, policy analysis, research, and public service by combining political knowledge with strong data-driven decision-making skills.