UG/Chapter_5_Department_of_Political_Science_&

The Department of Political Science and Geography offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Geography. The department also offers Minors in Geography, Political Science, International Studies, and Public Administration.

At least 33 semester credit hours of coursework are required to fulfill a political science or geography major. The 33-hour total is considered a minimum, and students are encouraged to deepen and broaden their grasp of their major through careful allocation of their elective semester credit hours.

All degrees require students to complete at least 6 semester credit hours of support work. These courses, which require advance approval from advisors, should serve to introduce students to other social sciences in addition to those entailed in the coursework within students' major discipline.

INTERNSHIP STUDY

Majors in the Department of Political Science and Geography may apply 3 or 6 semester credit hours of internship study to their baccalaureate program. Internship entails supervised experience, usually within selected organizations in the San Antonio area. Placement is arranged by the internship coordinator of the Department of Political Science and Geography. Supervision and grading of the internship experience are normally done by department faculty members. Students majoring in nonsocial science disciplines are welcome to participate but should consult with their faculty advisors regarding the role of the internship within their own degree programs. Further information can be obtained from the internship coordinator.

DEPARTMENT HONORS

The Department of Political Science and Geography, through its Honors program, provides the opportunity for advanced study under close faculty supervision to those students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship.

Selection for honors designation is based on academic performance and recommendation by discipline faculty. To be eligible for the program, students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall at UTSA and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in their major at UTSA. Minimum grade point averages must be maintained for students to receive the approval of the Honors Committee and the discipline faculty. Students applying for Honors are expected to enroll in the appropriate honors thesis course during their final two semesters. The completed thesis must be approved by the supervising faculty sponsor and another faculty member. Students interested in this program should contact their faculty advisors for additional information.