The Political Science major is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of politics, policy, governance, and government ranging from a global to a local perspective. It will help them become knowledgeable citizens capable of reasoned judgments on political issues and ideas.
Major Requirements
Attention! There is a new, updated version of the POL major as of Fall 2020
If you are currently in a concentration in the Political Science major and would like to remain in that concentration, you must select courses from that concentration list to complete Part Four of the major. See Degreeworks or the 2019-20 Undergraduate Bulletin for concentration course options (http://jjay.smartcatalogiq.com/2019-2020/Undergraduate-Bulletin/Majors/Political-Science-Bachelor-of-Arts ).
If you are currently in the Political Science major but would like to follow the new version of the major (Fall 2020), which does not require a concentration, you must fill out a new major declaration form. No approval signature is required, and you can email the form as an attachment to jayexpress@jjay.cuny.edu. Please indicate in your email that you are already in the major but want to follow the Fall 2020 version of the major.
If you were a Political Science major before Fall 2020, but never selected a concentration, you will also need to fill out a new major declaration form to select the new version of the major and email it to jayexpress@jjay.cuny.edu. Again, no approval signature is required. Please indicate in the email that you are already in the major and just want to follow the Fall 2020 version of it.
POL Courses That Meet General Education Requirements
Each of the following POL courses can count toward your major requirements and toward your General Education requirements:
Major Advising in Fall/Spring
See the Political Science Department for Zoom details and appointment information.
Major Advising in Summer/Winter
See the Political Science Department for Zoom details and appointment information.
Registration and Major Holds
Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a hold on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have a major advising appointment with Dr. Rutledge or Dr Arbour. This meeting will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. Students must bring a copy of their current transcript (unofficial is fine) and most recent degree audit. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:
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Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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Click on “Advisement Required.”
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See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
Concentrations
If you are currently in a concentration in the Political Science major and would like to remain in that concentration, you must select courses from that concentration list to complete Part Four of the major. See Degreeworks or the 2019-20 Undergraduate Bulletin for concentration course options (http://jjay.smartcatalogiq.com/2019-2020/Undergraduate-Bulletin/Majors/Political-Science-Bachelor-of-Arts ).
If you are currently in the Political Science major but would like to follow the new version of the major (Fall 2020), which does not require a concentration, you must fill out a new major declaration form. No approval signature is required, and you can email the form as an attachment to jayexpress@jjay.cuny.edu. Please indicate in your email that you are already in the major but want to follow the Fall 2020 version of the major.
If you were a Political Science major before Fall 2020, but never selected a concentration, you will also need to fill out a new major declaration form to select the new version of the major and email it to jayexpress@jjay.cuny.edu. Again, no approval signature is required. Please indicate in the email that you are already in the major and just want to follow the Fall 2020 version of it.
Avoid Course Planning Mistakes!
As you progress through the POL major, keep the following important information in mind:
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Take POL 101 as early as possible, since it is the prerequisite for all major courses.
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We have fewer offerings at night. Night students should speak with a major advisor if they are having issues registering.
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Do not count on courses being available in summer or winter sessions. We offer only a few courses during these sessions. POL 225 and POL 409 are not offered in either winter or summer. Since both courses are crucial to the progression and completion of the major, you need to be aware of this as you do your academic planning.
- Take advantage of early registration windows, especially if you are near the end of your program.
- Remember that you will need at least a 2.0 in the major and at least an overall 2.0 GPA to graduate.
Monitor Your Progress in the Major
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DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed. Please be aware that if you are following the pre-Fall 2020 version of the POL major and do not have a concentration declared, your major requirements will not appear on DegreeWorks. Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool. Note: be sure to confirm the accuracy of your degree audit with a general advisor and major advisor.
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Political Science Major Checklist - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.
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Sample Four Year Plan - See an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.
Meet with a General Academic Advisor
A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.
Career Opportunities Related to Political Science
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Administrator (corporate, government, non-profit)
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Attorney
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CIA Agent or Analyst
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City planner
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Journalist
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Government relations specialist
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Policy analyst
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Political commentator
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State, local, or national legislator
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Teacher
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Urban planner
Graduate Degree in Political Science
1. Do your research.
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Look for programs with faculty and courses that match your interests.
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Email faculty to express an interest in and ask questions about their program.
- Search for and inquire about funding opportunities. Most PhD programs fully fund their students for at least 5 years, and many MA programs offer funding as well.
2. Write the GRE.
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Most MA and PhD programs require this. Consider taking a prep course, like those offered by Princeton Review and Kaplan.
3. Carefully draft your personal statement.
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Most graduate programs require a personal statement, so yours needs to be excellent.
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Start writing early, and have multiple proof readers (especially your professors).
- Follow instructions; adhere to word limits, formatting requirements, etc.
4. Request letters of reference.
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Most graduate programs require letters of reference from at least 3 of your professors.
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Ask your professors for letters well in advance of the application deadline.Be sure the professor can write you a strong letter—this is most likely to happen when you earned an A in his or her class.
- Help your professors write strong letters: provide them with your transcript, resume, and information about your chosen programs (including where they should send the letter, and by when).