The major or minor in Political Science affords students opportunities to explore issues on the cutting edge;  develop substantive knowledge in the various fields of the discipline; hone analytical, methodological, and communication skills; and broaden their perspectives as educated citizens.  Our students also benefit from the department’s excellence in teaching, commitment to mentoring, diverse extracurricular activities, and opportunities for scholarly advancement. 

Most of our students are the first in their families to have attended college.  We take immense pride in helping them complete their B.A. degrees.  Some of our alumni have gone on to pursue graduate degrees in Political Science at leading universities, such as New Mexico and UT Austin.  Others have taken advantage of UTEP’s Law School Preparation Institute to win admission to top-tier law schools, including California-Berkeley, Cornell, Harvard, Michigan, Stanford, Texas, Virginia, and Yale

Our department has placed undergraduate majors in internships at the U.S. Department of State, the office of Congressman Silvestre Reyes, the Organization of American States, and other governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.  The Center for Civic Engagement allows students to link classroom learning to community service, policy advocacy, and activism.  Student organizations advised by Political Science faculty include Amnesty International, the Global Relations Organization (GRO), the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Honor Society, Students for Reform, and University Democrats.

Our majors and minors are outlined below.  Come study with us! ¡Vengan a estudiar con nosotros!

Major in Political Science

In addition to POLS 2310 and 2311—which must be taken by all students at UTEP and the State of Texas--the major requires 27 semester hours in Political Science.  The only required class is POLS 2312, which should be taken in the sophomore year. At least one course must be taken in three of the following six fields: American Political Behavior and Institutions, Law and Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Political Thought and Theory, and Public Administration. Each student majoring in Political Science must also complete a minor of at least 18 hours. The minor may be from another liberal arts discipline, from approved interdisciplinary minors, or from approved disciplines in other colleges.  In selecting a minor, students should consult with one of the department’s undergraduate advisors.

Minors in Political Science

Two options are available to students majoring in other disciplines:

Political Science: 18 hours, including POLS 2312, one advanced course in three of the six fields, and 6 additional hours in Political Science.

Comparative and International Politics: 18 hours, including POLS 3360, POLS 3339, and 12 advanced hours from the fields of Comparative Politics and International Relations. 

In addition, we are currently working to revive the minor in Public Administration.