Major
About the Program
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science is designed for students interested in public affairs — such as law, politics, or government service — or international relations. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of governmental structures and functions. Students can pursue the standard major requirements or complete a concentration in Campaigning and Governing in American Politics. You can also enrich your degree by pursuing an internship or entering the honors track.
Standard Political Science Major
Political science majors gain an in-depth understanding of domestic and international politics, as well as political theory. Students complete projects in small advanced classes, take part in internships at all levels of government, conduct independent research, and engage with the UConn community through organizations, publications, and student government.
The Department offers a broad range of courses in seven categories:
- Theory.
- Comparative politics.
- International relations.
- American politics.
- Public administration, policy, and law.
- Intersectional indigeneity, race, ethnicity, and politics.
- Methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I declare my major?
You can declare a CLAS major for the first time or change from one CLAS major to another CLAS major by visiting the program plan change website. If you are declaring a double major or a dual degree, then you need to fill out the appropriate form on the CLAS Academic Services Center website.
What is a plan of study?
A plan of study is a form that summarizes all the courses that you need to take for your major. Your final plan of study needs to be submitted in Student Administration by the 4th week of the semester in which you expect to graduate. Hard copies of the plan of study are available on our advising and resources page.
I can’t meet with my advisor during their regular office hours. What should I do?
All students are welcome to schedule an appointment with the professional academic advisor for political science, via Nexus. Students may also attend the POLS Peer Academic Assistant's walk-in hours.
What are the grade requirements for a major?
You need to maintain a “C” average (2.0) for the political science courses listed on your final plan of study.
How do I calculate my GPA?
Please use the GPA Calculator tool in Nexus.
Can I get credit for an internship through political science?
Yes, you may earn credit for internships. Please review the requirements for internships on our Internships page.
What courses qualify as “related” courses?
These courses must come from departments other than political science, and must be numbered at the 2000 level or above. They cannot be taken on a pass-fail basis. All 2000 level and above courses in anthropology, economics, geography, history, human rights, philosophy, public policy, and sociology will meet this requirement. However, any course within these departments that is cross-listed with POLS will count towards the major and not as a related. Courses not in the departments listed above or included on the pre-approved list may be approved as related at the discretion of your advisor.
Campaigning and Governing in American Politics (CGAP) Concentration
The Campaigning and Governing in American Politics Concentration provides students with the opportunity to combine knowledge of political institutions, processes, and behavior with practical skills that will help them obtain professional employment, internships, or other positions in U.S. politics.
Courses examine a range of topics related to American politics, including:
- How campaigns and elections work.
- What drives public opinion and voter behavior.
- How political institutions and policymaking work.
Students also gain practical experience through internships at:
- U.S. Congress in Washington D.C.
- CT General Assembly in Hartford.
- Political campaigns.
- Federal, state, and local government.
- Non-governmental organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the standard major and concentration have in common?
Both require the same number of credits – 11 from 1000 level POLS courses, 24 from 2000+ level POLS courses, and 12 from 2000+ level relateds. Both require three intro courses and POLS 1301 and 1396 (1301 and 1396 are required for the standard plan of study if you’re following the fall ’25 and later catalogs). Both require that courses be taken from subdivisions, and that a W be taken in a major course at the 2000+ level. Both also require the same number of related courses.
How does the concentration differ from the standard major?
While you are still required to take three intro courses, for the concentration one of them has to be POLS 1602. While you are still required to take courses from the subdivisions, for the concentration you have to take two subdivision courses rather than four. In place of the other two subdivision courses and the four additional major courses required for the standard major, for the concentration you will fulfill sections B 2 and 3 of the CGAP plan of study. That includes taking POLS 2972Q, POLS 3991, and four courses from three groups.
Does the CGAP plan of study require a Q course?
Yes, POLS 2972Q: Quantitative Analysis in Political Science is required. This can count as one of the Q courses you have to take for the quantitative competency part of the gen eds/common curriculum. · Does the CGAP plan of study require an internship? Yes, POLS 3991: Supervised Field Work is required. Take a look at the POLS internship page for more information about internships and earning credit for them. If you participate in the Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Internship Program, you’ll be required to take POLS 3628: Connecticut General Assembly. This course can be used to fulfill Group 2 of the concentration, Connecticut and State and Local Politics.
I’ve heard that POLS 3675 is a four credit course. Is that true?
Yes, POLS 3675: Practicum in Campaigns and Elections in the United States is a four credit course in which one essentially learns how to run a campaign. The course is one of several options for fulfilling Group 3: Political Institutions, Processes, Behavior, and Analytics, but is not required for the major.
Is there any particular time that’s best to declare the concentration?
Not necessarily. You can declare it whenever you’re ready, but make sure you leave yourself enough time to complete all the required courses. Just as you switched from the standard major to the concentration, you can switch from the concentration to the standard major if you change your mind.
How do I declare the concentration?
Go to https://declare.clas.uconn.edu/ and log in.
Under “New Minor/Major Request” choose “Major Request”.
In the “Add New Major Request” section, where it says “New Plan/Major** (major)”, next to the looking glass type “poli”, and “Political Science BA (POLS) (POLI)” will pop up. Select that.
For the “Concentration (POLS BA)” box, choose “Campaigning and Governing in American Politics (Fall 2025 and beyond)”.
Is there a way I can see how the courses I’ve taken would be used for the concentration vs. how they’re being used now for the standard plan?
Run a standard advisement report to see how the courses you’ve taken are fulfilling the standard major requirements. Then run a what-if advisement report to see how your courses would fulfill the concentration requirements. You can then compare the two.
Can sections of POLS 2998 be used to fulfill concentration requirements?
Yes. You can still use sections of POLS 2998 to fulfill the two required subdivision courses, and certain sections of POLS 2998 can be used to fulfill the concentration’s B 3 group requirements. To see if a section of POLS 2998 is eligible to fulfill a B 3 requirement, click on the blue box that says “POLS 2998 Sections” under “Courses and Credits” on the POLS Advising and Resources page. Then click on the semester for which you need information, find the row of the section you’re interested in, and look in the “Notes” column. It will say there which group that particular section can be used to fulfill.
Resources for Undergraduate Students
Academic Advising
Our advisors help students navigate their degree requirements and make the most of their academic experience.
Contact Your Advisor
Scholarships
The Department offers a number of awards to our undergraduate students that consider merit and financial need.
Apply for Scholarships
Career Resources
Not sure what to do with your political science degree? Explore industries where our alumni work and find job resources.
Find Job Opportunities
Fifth-Year Master's Degree
Looking to get a head start on your career? The Fifth-Year Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science program allows current undergraduates to start graduate-level coursework during their senior year and earn a master’s degree with just one additional year of study.
Ready to Declare Your Major?
Students can declare or change their major using the Online Program Change website. To do so, log in, select Major Change, and follow the prompts.
If you have a double major or minor, please include that under More Details.
Declare Your Major
Contact Us
For questions about our undergraduate programs, please contact Yonatan Morse, director of undergraduate studies.