Major Requirements
Major Requirements in Political Science
Political Science
The major in political science requires a course in American politics in order to insure that all graduates have a working knowledge of the U.S. political system, and two courses that introduce various subfields within the discipline. Beyond those minimal requirements, the major in political science allows the student flexibility to structure a program of study in political science and related courses which will enhance the intellectual experience of the student and which will allow preparation for better understanding the world we live in, for law school, other professional and graduate education opportunities, or a variety of careers.
Political Science courses (33 semester hours minimum)
- POL 241 American Political System (3) [Take this course first]
- [Then, take:] At least 2 from among the following:
- POL 201 Political Thinking (3)*
- POL 221 Comparative Politics (3)*
- POL 261 Public Administration (3)*
- POL 271 World Politics (3)*
*Prerequisites for certain 300- and 400-level courses
- In consultation with a faculty adviser, choose at least 18 additional hours from other POL courses at the 300 level and above, with at least one course selected from two of the five major fields. (Hours may include the senior Capstone. Students who entered before Fall 2013 are not required to take a POL capstone, but you may take one.
- Additional hours from POL courses at the 200+ level to complete the 33 hour requirement (100-level POL courses do NOT apply to major).
- Other requirements: 2.0 GPA in POL; all courses must be taken for a grade; at least 15 of the 33 hours must be taken at Miami.
Related courses (18 hours minimum)
- Select from: AMS, ATH, BLS, BWS, BUS, ECO, ESP, GEO, GIC, GTY, HST, ISA, ITS, JRN, LAS, MAC, MGT, PHL, PSY, REL, SOC, STC, WGS, AES 221, AES 222, AES 431, AES 432, ENG 432, NSC 202, NSC 311, NSC 402, or other courses as approved by the department.
- At least 12 hrs. must be at the 200+ level.
- Other requirements: 2.0 GPA in all related courses; all work must be taken for a grade; at least half of the coursework must be at Miami.
CAS/Miami Plan Advanced Writing Requirement
Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science meet the College of Arts and Science writing in the major requirement by completing the following courses:
- Take at least one of the required 200-level courses in a "Writing" or "W" section.
- Take at least one of the POL 300-level courses in a "W" section.
- Complete one of the required POL Capstone courses. All three must be completed to satisfy this requirement.
Note
The Department of Political Science does NOT allow Political Science majors to pursue another major in the Department. A double major between Public Administration and Diplomacy and Global Politics is allowed, but will not meet the Miami Plan’s thematic sequence requirement as a double major that is in the same department. We strongly discourage a Diplomacy and Global Politics - International Studies double major, due to all the “double counting” that is involved.
Requirements can vary based upon the bulletin year of entry to Miami. Students should consult their DAR and with their faculty adviser to confirm their requirements.
Updated: 01/01/21
Diplomacy and Global Politics
This program of concentration is designed primarily for students interested in understanding more about comparative and international politics. It is a major appropriate for those interested in international careers. It is also the kind of broad, liberal arts program that many pre-law students will want to consider. Additionally, it provides a solid background for graduate study in comparative politics and international relations.
Effective for all incoming Fall 2021 and future students
Core Requirements (minimum 33 hours)
- Core courses--All of these:
- POL 221 Comparative Politics (3)
- POL 241 American Political System (3)
- POL 271 World Politics (3)
- Diplomacy and international relations: select at least 9 hours of the following:
- POL 346 Global Gender Politics (3)
- POL 370 Topics in International Relations (3)
- POL 372 Terrorism & Counterterrorism (3)
- POL 373 American Foreign Policy (3)
- POL 374 Foreign Policy Analysis (3)
- POL 376 U.S. National Security Policy (3)
- POL 381 Global Governance (3)
- POL 382 International Law (3)
- POL 385 Russian Foreign Policy (3)
- POL 387 International Security Issues (3)
- POL 388 Politics of Cybersecurity (3)
- Comparative politics: select at least 9 hours of the following:
- POL 330 Topics in Comparative Politics (3)
- POL 331 Communism and Soviet Politics, 1917-1991 (3)
- POL 333 Politics of Western Europe (3)
- POL 334 Politics of Eastern Europe (3)
- POL 336 Politics of the Middle East (3)
- POL 337 Politics of Latin America (3)
- POL 430 Seminar on Comparative Political Systems (3)
- POL 440 Havighurst Colloquium (3)
- Required capstone: student must complete one of the following:
- POL 419 Civil Society and Modern Politics (3)
- POL 423 European Union: Politics and Policies (3)
- POL 471 The International System (3)
- POL 487 Individual Lives and International Politics (3)
- POL 489 Conflict Management in a Divided World (3)
- At least 17 hours earned at Miami; a grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; all courses must be taken for a grade.
NOTE: An additional 3 hours is required from either II. Diplomacy and international relations OR III. Comparative politics to earn the required 33 total hours.
Related Requirements (minimum 22 - maximum 28 hours)
- Cognate courses—all of these:
- ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
- ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
- STA 261 Statistics (4)
- Advanced foreign language study: at least 6 semester hours in a foreign language at the 300 level or higher (not in translation)
- Education Abroad: At least 6 semester hours earned in one or more study-abroad programs approved by the Department of Political Science (not more than 6 semester hours earned in study abroad program can be applied to other major requirements).
- At least 9 semester hours for Part II requirements must be earned at Miami University; a grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; all courses must be taken for a grade.
CAS/Miami Plan Advanced Writing Requirement
Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science meet the College of Arts and Science writing in the major requirement by completing the following courses:
- Take at least one of the required 200-level courses in a "Writing" or "W" section.
- Take at least one of the POL 300-level courses in a "W" section.
- Complete one of the required POL Capstone courses. All three must be completed to satisfy this requirement.
The Department of Political Science does NOT allow Political Science majors to pursue another major in the Department. A double major between Public Administration and Diplomacy and Global Politics is allowed, but will not meet the Miami Plan’s thematic sequence requirement as a double major that is in the same department. We strongly discourage a Diplomacy and Global Politics - International Studies double major, due to all the “double counting” that is involved.
Requirements can vary based upon the bulletin year of entry to Miami. Students should consult their DAR and with their faculty adviser to confirm their requirements.
Contact for More Information
Dr. Laura Neack, 513-529-6376, lauraneack@miamioh.edu. 314 Harrison Hall
Updated: 5/06/21
Effective for All Students Who Entered Miami Prior to 2021
This program of concentration is designed primarily for students interested in understanding more about comparative and international politics. It is a major appropriate for those interested in international careers. It is also the kind of broad, liberal arts program that many pre-law students will want to consider. Additionally, it provides a solid background for graduate study in comparative politics and international relations.
Core Requirements (minimum 33 hours)
- Core courses--All of these:
- POL 221 Comparative Politics (3)
- POL 241 American Political System (3)
- POL 271 World Politics (3)
- Diplomacy and international relations—two of these:
- POL 326 Comparative Ethnic Politics (3)
- POL 346 Global Gender Politics (3)
- POL 373 American Foreign Policy (3)
- POL 374 Foreign Policy Analysis (3)
- POL 376 US National Security Policy (3)
- POL 381 Global Governance (3)
- POL 382 International Law (3)
- POL 386 Global Competition (3)
- POL 387 International Security Issues (3)
- Politics in global regions--at least TWO courses from TWO regional clusters below:
- Eurasia and East Asia
- POL 328 Politics of Central Asia (3)
- POL 331 Communism and Soviet Politics, 1917-1991 (3)
- POL 332 Post-Soviet Russian Politics (3)
- POL 335 Politics of East Asia (3)
- POL 375 International Relations of East Asia (3)
- POL 440/540 Havighurst Colloquium (3)
- Africa, Middle East, and Latin America
- POL 336 Politics of the Middle East (3)
- POL 337 Politics of Latin America (3)
- POL 338 Contemporary African Politics (3)
- POL 339 Nationalism, Islam and Democracy in Arab Politics (3)
- POL 370B African Politics & Society through Literature (3)
- POL 378 Latin America: The Region and the World (3)
- POL 438 Africa in the Global Economy (3)
- Europe: East and West
- POL 321.L Comparative European Politics (3)
- POL 333 Politics of Western Europe (3)
- POL 334 Politics of Eastern Europe (3)
- POL 423/523 European Union: Politics and Policies (3)
NOTE: With approval of advisor, students may apply relevant coursework taken in an approved study abroad program as substitute for one or two courseson politics in global regions.
- Eurasia and East Asia
- Required capstone: Student must complete one of the following:
- POL 419/519 Civil Society and Modern Politics (3)
- POL 424 Transatlantic Seminar (4-6)
- POL 439 North American Politics: Unity and Diversity (3)
- POL 471/571 The International System (3)
- POL 487 Individual Lives and International Politics (3)
- POL 489/589 Conflict Management in a Divided World (3)
- At least 17 hours earned at Miami; a grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; all courses must be taken for a grade.
Related Requirements (minimum 22 hours)
- Cognate courses—all of these:
- ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
- ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
- STA 261 Statistics (4)
- Advanced foreign language study: at least 6 semester hours in a foreign language at the 300 level or higher (not in translation)
- Education Abroad: 12 semester hours earned in one or more study abroad programs approved by the Department of Political Science (not more than 6 semester hours earned in study abroad program can be applied to other major requirements)
- At least 9 semester hours for Part II requirements must be earned at Miami University; a grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; all courses must be taken for a grade.
CAS/Miami Plan Advanced Writing Requirement
Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science meet the College of Arts and Science writing in the major requirement by completing the following courses:
- Take at least one of the required 200-level courses in a "Writing" or "W" section.
- Take at least one of the POL 300-level courses in a "W" section.
- Complete one of the required POL Capstone courses. All three must be completed to satisfy this requirement.
The Department of Political Science does NOT allow Political Science majors to pursue another major in the Department. A double major between Public Administration and Diplomacy and Global Politics is allowed, but will not meet the Miami Plan’s thematic sequence requirement as a double major that is in the same department. We strongly discourage a Diplomacy and Global Politics - International Studies double major, due to all the “double counting” that is involved.
Requirements can vary based upon the bulletin year of entry to Miami. Students should consult their DAR and with their faculty adviser to confirm their requirements.
Contact for More Information
Dr. Laura Neack, 513-529-6376, lauraneack@miamioh.edu. 314 Harrison Hall
Updated: 5/06/21
Public Administration
The Public Administration major is designed for undergraduates interested in studying and understanding the issues of governance and management of the public sector, and more specifically about the link between politics and public policy implementation. It is appropriate for those interested in public service careers in the federal government, state government, and/or local government including: city and county management, public finance administration, public personnel administration, and public policy analysis and program evaluation. This major prepares students for continuation of their education in professional and graduate schools of public administration, public policy analysis, and related fields. It also serves as a course of pre-legal study.
At least half of the required semester hours in the Public Administration Core and half of the required semester hours in the Related Hours must be from Miami. Required hours in the Core and Related Hours must be taken for a grade. A GPA of at least 2.00 is required in the Core as well as in the Related Hours courses.
For students admitted prior to Fall 2021: at least 38 semester hours including:
For students admitted Fall 2021 and after: at least 36 semester hours including:
Public Administration core requirement (all 15 hours required):
- POL 241 American Political System (3) [Take this course first]
- POL 261 Public Administration (3) * [After 241, take this course]
- POL 306 Applied Research Methods for Public Administration (3)
- ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
- ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
*POL 261 is the prerequisite for all 300-400 level Public Administration courses.
The core electives at least 18 hours including:
For both requirement A & B below, courses appropriate to the major, but not listed as core electives, may in some cases be counted toward the major with the written approval of the student’s Public Administration adviser.
- At least 12 hours from this list
- POL 268 State and Local Government and Politics (3)
- POL 307 Public Opinion Laboratory (3)
- POL 345M Not for Profit Management (3)
- POL 351 Criminal Justice (3)
- POL 361 Nonprofits: Politics & Policy (3)
- POL 362 Public Management, Leadership, and Administrative Politics (3)
- POL 363 Administrative Law (3)
- POL 364 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (3)
- POL 365 Decision Making in Public Affairs (3)
- POL 460/560 Seminar on Public Administration and Policy Analysis (3)...topics vary
- POL 467/567 Public Budgeting (3)
- POL 468/568 Public Personnel Administration (3)
- Not more than 6 hours from the following Professional Related courses can be taken
- ACC 468 Accounting for Governmental & Not-For-Profit Organizations (3)
- AMS 302 Transnational America (3)
- ECO 331 Public Sector Economics (3)
- ECO 406 Environmental Economics (3)
- ENG 313 Technical Writing (3)
- GEO 441 Geographic Information Systems (3)
- GEO 442 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (3)
- GEO 451 Urban and Regional Planning (3)
- GTY 365 Social Policy and Programs in Gerontology (3)
- HST 379 U.S. Consumerism, 1890-Present (3)
- IES 431 Principles and Applications of Environmental Science (3)
- IES 450 Environmental Law (3)
- JRN 412 Public Affairs Reporting (3)
- SOC 454 Formal Organization (3)
- STC 339 Introduction to Organizational Communication (3)
Seniors must take one capstone courses:
Requires Senior standing, completion of the core requirements (I) and 15 hours of IIA and IIB from above.
- POL 466 Public Policy Analysis (3)
NOTE
POL 406 has been removed from the PA major and will no longer be required as a concurrent course with POL 466 beginning with students admitted Fall 2021. Students admitted prior to Fall 2021 can use a substitute course for these two credits. See your PA advisor for more information.
IV. Internships (POL 340)
Internships provide an added dimension to your educational experience. Internship credits do not fulfill any requirements for the Public Administration major. Internship credits, including the 0-credit option will fulfill the Miami Plan Experiential Learning requirement.
Visit the internship webpage and see your academic advisor for more information.
CAS/Miami Plan Advanced Writing Requirement
Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science meet the College of Arts and Science writing in the major requirement by completing the following courses:
- Take at least one of the required 200-level courses in a "Writing" or "W" section.
- Take at least one of the POL 300-level courses in a "W" section.
- Complete one of the required POL Capstone courses. All three must be completed to satisfy this requirement.
NOTE: The Department of Political Science does NOT allow Political Science majors to pursue another major in the Department. A double major between Public Administration and Diplomacy and Global Politics is allowed, but will not meet the Miami Plan’s thematic sequence requirement as a double major that is in the same department. We strongly discourage a Diplomacy and Global Politics - International Studies double major, due to all the “double counting” that is involved.
Requirements can vary based upon the bulletin year of entry to Miami. Students should consult their DAR and with their faculty adviser to confirm their requirements.
Contact for More Information
Dr. Matt Arbuckle, 513-529-9017, arbiuckmb@miamioh.edu, 119 Harrison Hall
Updated: 06/24/22
Public Health: Health Policy and Administration
Public Health is a field of study focused on preventing illness and promoting health in individuals, communities, and society as a whole. The Public Health degree at Miami builds on the University's strength in three areas:
- Human Diseases and Epidemiology
- Health Policy and Administration
- Public Health Promotion
Students will choose a concentration in ONE of these specialty areas as well as complete a core curriculum covering the fundamental elements of public health. These curricula will prepare students for either graduate school or employment in the field.
Health Policy and Administration
Focuses on critical policy and programmatic issues in public health. The emphasis of this concentration is to examine how public policy impacts the public health delivery system and how administrators work to develop and implement programs in the field of public health. This track is in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Course of Study (39-42 semester hours)
Core Curriculum (required for all concentrations)
The core curriculum is typically completed during the student's first and second years.
To major in Public Health, a student must complete 18-19 semester hours distributed as follows:
- KNH 125 - Introduction to Public Health or MBI 131 Community Health Perspectives (3 hours)*
- KNH 218 - Applied Health Behavior Change (3 hours)
- STA 261 or STA 301 - Statistics or Applied Statistics (4 or 3 hours)
- MBI 361 or MBI 361W - Epidemiology (3 hours)
- KNH 321 - National and Global Health Policy or GTY 365 - Social Policy & Programs in Gerontology (3 hours)*
- IES/KNH 441 - Environmental Public Health (3 hours)
*These are the recommended Core courses for the Health Policy and Administration concentration.
Concentrations
The concentration requirements are typically completed during the student's 3rd and 4th years.
This concentration focuses on critical policy and programmatic issues in public health. The emphasis of this concentration is to examine how public policy impacts the public health delivery system and how administrators work to develop and implement programs in the field of public health.
Administration (6-9)
- POL 261 Public Administration (3)
- Choose one:
- POL 362 Public Management, Leadership, and Administrative Politics (3)
- POL 467 Public Budgeting (3)
- POL 468 Public personnel Administration (3)
- SOC 454 Formal Organization (3)
Healthy Policy (6-9)
- GTY 465- Policies and Programs in an Aging Society (3)
- Choose one:
- ATH 448 Developing Solutions in Global Health (3)*
- ECO 332 Health Economics (3)
- GTY 362 Applied Research in Gerontology (3)
- POL 466 & 406 Public Policy Analysis (5)*
Internship (6-8)
- POL 340 - internship OR
- GTY 440 - capstone internship*
- Students should select one additional elective from either the Administration or Health Policy courses listed above.
Host Departments
Gerontology (GTY) and Political Science (POL)
Contact for More Information
Dr. Sara McLaughlin, 513-529-2628, mclaugsj@miamioh.edu, 375 Upham Hall (GTY)
Updated: 12/01/2021
Data Analytics: Social Data Concentration in Political Science
Data Analytics prepares students for a range of careers in which data must be manipulated, contextualized, and applied to the problems of today. It trains students to work with the ever-broadening expanse of data that is rapidly transforming industry, business, the public sphere, and many fields of research. Coursework for this major combines a core of flexible analytical skills with in-depth advanced knowledge in transdisciplinary subjects in four concentrations: Geospatial Analytics, Bioinformatics, Sport Analytics, and Social Data Analytics. This combination provides a solid 4-year liberal education along with early development of practical skills widely sought by employers.
Course of Study (36-38 semester hours)
Prerequisities
- Introductory Statistics (AP Statistics, STA 261, STA 301, or ISA 225)
- Precalculus or Calculus 1 or ACT Math score of at least 26 or SAT Math score of at least 600 or at least 16 on the Miami International Math Placement Test
Core Curriculum (required for all concentrations)
To major in Data Analytics, a student must complete 18-19 semester hours distributed as follows:
- Select 1 of the following (3-4 hr):
- MTH 133 - Mathematical Foundations of Data Analytics
- ISA 250 - Basic Math for Analytics (offered only during summer)
- Select 1 of the following (3 hr):
- STA 363 - Introduction to Statistical Modeling
- ISA 291 - Applied Regression Analysis in Business
- POL 306 - Applied Research Methods
- Take all of the following (12 hr):
- ENG/STC 285 - Professional Communication for Data Analytics
- PHL/HST/GIC 286 - Data, Ethics, and Society
- STA/POL 308 - Introduction to Programming & Scripting for Data Analytics
- STA 309 - Building, Managing and Exploring Data Sets in Analytics
Concentrations in Social Data
Identify & implement appropriate methods for analyzing socio-politico phenomena. Utilize data visualization techniques to communicate results in a compelling way to policy experts & engaged citizens.
Political Science (9 hours)
- One of these POL courses 241, 221, 261, or 271 or corresponding AP or transfer credit
- Two more POL courses at 300 or 400
Choose any three of the following, including at least one course at the 400 level (9 hours)
- POL 307 – Survey Methods
- POL 365 – Decision Making in Public Affairs
- GTY 362 – Applied Research in Gerontology
- POL 491/591 – Social Network Analysis
- POL 474/574 – Large Data Analysis
Students majoring in the Social Data Analytics concentration may count no more than nine (9) credit hours toward this major and a major in Political Science, Gerontology or Sociology, and they may count no more than six (6) credit hours toward a minor in Political Science, Gerontology or Sociology.
Host Departments
Statistics + POL for Social Data Concentration
Contact for More Information
Lisa Werwinski, 513-529-3406, werwinlm@MiamiOH.edu
Updated: 04/10/21
Department of Political Science
