Other Programs

Political Science and/or Public Administration Honors Program

Honors Program Requirements

The Department Honors Program seeks to provide an opportunity for in-depth research, reading, and writing for majors. The program emphasizes highly personalized student-professor contact and discussion.

The minimum requirements are:

1. Admission
1. Junior standing
2. Twelve credits in the major
3. Cumulative grade point average of 3.25 in the major
4. Recommendation of two faculty members from the department
2. Program
1. Completion of the regular major
2. Completion of POL 361, 496, and 498
3. Passing of a terminal examination
3. Evaluation
1. Cumulative 3.50 grade point average in the major and a cumulative 3.25 overall grade point average at graduation
2. Distinguished performance on a paper or project developed in POL 496
3. Presentation of paper or project to a colloquium of faculty and students
4. Superior performance on a terminal examination in conjunction with POL 498

Pre-Law

Law school counselors are practically unanimous in suggesting that the best "pre-law" majors are those in which students are highly interested and prepared to devote themselves whole-heartedly. Beyond that, there are several guidelines: first, select a major which is intellectually rigorous, demanding and substantial. Second, there are a number of courses which are of special benefit in subsequent law school work. Accounting will be useful when encountering courses in corporations, taxes and other business areas. Courses in mathematics or statistics will acquaint students with quantitative measurement. Logic is recommended for developing powers of imaginative and incisive reasoning. History courses will provide valuable backgrounds and content as well as analytical training. Any and all English courses will improve the ability to read and write, and speech and debate will improve verbal skills. Third, a choice of a major may depend upon the kind of law practice envisioned, if such a decision can be made.

Business and economics obviously provide an excellent background for those entering corporate practice; sociology, criminology, and social work relate well to criminal justice work; and political science and/or public administration (perhaps the most common major) will especially serve the needs of those who contemplate public service, elected or otherwise. Applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) which covers a broad range of disciplines and gives no advantage to candidates with particular specializations.

Criminal Justice Minor

Criminal Justice Minor (All colleges) — 21 credits – SOC 324; six credits from: SOC 313, 321, 322, 325, 326, 330, 429 or PSY 341; six credits from: POL 211, 221, 222, 306, 311, 326, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377; three credits from: GEO/ESC 385, PHL 201, 337, PSY 304, 330, 357, PSY 341 or SOC 330, PSY 417, 426, WGS 320; the remaining three credits are electives and may be selected from any of the courses listed above, or three credits from SOC 451 or POL 451.

Note: A maximum of three credits may be counted toward fulfillment of the criminal justice minor and another major, minor or emphasis.