Political Science – BA

Program Overview:

The majors in History, Political Science, and History/ Political Science are designed to provide a liberal, career-oriented education for students seeking employment in government, foreign service, museums, business, industry, and teaching; to prepare students for law school; and to prepare students of demonstrated competence for graduate study in History or Political Science. The major in Social Studies: Adolescence Education qualifies students for initial certification by New York State to teach Social Studies in grades 7 through 12. Refer to the Adolescence Education catalog section for the education sequence program and policies.

For History, Political Science, and History/Political Science majors, Albany is an ideal location. Political Science internships and history field experiences are readily available. Field experiences are designed to provide students interested in history with an opportunity to investigate public history by working at historic sites, in museums and in historical organizations. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose. Departmental majors are required to fulfill their upper division courses in residence.

To strengthen their ability to think critically and present their ideas effectively, all majors are required to take an introductory research methods workshop, upper-division courses that emphasize acquisition of analytical and research skills, and a senior capstone seminar. In this seminar, faculty specialists address a particular topic or related topics and engage with the students in open discussion. Students are normally required to conduct research on these topics and to prepare oral and written presentations. The seminars are usually restricted to seniors.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Ryane McAuliffe Straus

Chair, History & Political Science Department

Email: strausr@mail.strose.edu

Program Webpage: https://www.strose.edu/history-and-political-science/

Program Requirements:

Major in Political Science (45 credits)

POS 100	Intro:History & Politics	1
POS 112	Critical Analysis US Politics	4
POS 142	Political Ideologies	4
POS 171	International Relations	4
POS 173	Comparative Politics	4
POS 200	Theories/Methods Polit Inquiry	4
POS 498	Capstone Seminar	4
	Five additional 300- or 400-level POS courses	20

POS 498 Prerequisite: a 300-level Political Science course

Additional Political Science courses must include one from each of the four subfields:

U.S. Politics

Political Theory

Comparative Politics

International Relations

Independent Study Policy:

Independent studies provide intensive advanced opportunities for motivated students to deepen their exploration of a topic that they’ve already demonstrated interest and mastery over based upon successful completion of an introductory course.

Independent studies, moreover, are designed to offer exposure to intellectual work that does not fall within the required curriculum and is not offered in the regular course rotation. Independent studies cannot be used as a substitute for academic requirements in the major or concentration.

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

For Political Science majors, Albany is an ideal location. Political Science internships and history field experiences are readily available. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose.

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Course:

POS 498

Capstone Seminar

Prerequisite: a 300-level Political Science course

The Capstone Seminar topic changes each semester

Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

First Year

Fall

POS 100 Intro to Methods - 1 cr.
POS 112 US Politics (fulfills LO10) - 4 cr
POS 142 Pol Ideologies– 4 cr.
ENG 105 Composition (LO 1) – 4 cr.
PHI or RLS (LO6) – 3 cr.
_______________________
16 cr.

Spring

POS 171 Intnl Relations – 4
POS 173 Comp Politics – 4
HIS (L03) 4
Math (LO 7) – 3
_________________________________
15 cr.

Sophomore Year

Fall

POS 200 Thrs and Meth – 4
Elective or minor course– 3-4
Literature (LO 4) – 4
Language (LO 2) – 3
________________________________
14-15 cr.

Spring

POS 3XX – 4
Elective or minor course 3– 4
CIS (LO 8) – 3
Lab Science (LO 9) – 4
________________________________
14-15 cr.

Junior Year

Fall

POS 3XX – 4
POS 3XX-4
SOC or PSY (L11) – 3
Elective or minor course – 3-4
________________________
14-15 cr.

Spring

POS 3XX – 4
POS 3XX – 4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
_____________________
14-16 cr.

Senior Year

Fall

POS 498 Capstone – 4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
____________________
13-16 cr.

Spring

POS 492 Internship—15
OR
Elective or minor course 3-4
Elective or minor course 3-4
Elective or minor course 3-4
Elective or minor course 3-4

______________________
12-16 cr.

Professional Accreditations:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org

Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:

The major in Political Science is designed to provide a liberal, career-oriented education for students seeking employment in government, foreign service, museums, business, industry, and teaching; to prepare students for law school; and to prepare students of demonstrated competence for graduate study in Political Science.

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
Official High School Transcripts
Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
Essay or Graded Paper
Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.