Undergraduate Degree(s):

Minor(s):

• Emergency Management and Homeland Security
• Political Science
• Pre-Law Studies
• Public Affairs

Graduate Degree(s):

• Executive Master of Public Administration
• Master of Public Administration (Human Resources Specialization)
• Master of Public Administration (International Development Specialization)
• Master of Public Administration (Public Policy Specialization)
• Master of Public Administration (Urban Planning and Environmental Policy Specialization)

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers courses in Emergency Management (EMGT), Homeland Security (HMSC), Political Science (POLS) and Public Affairs (PA) leading to three undergraduate and two graduate degree programs.

In addition to these programs, the department offers six (6) semester credit hours of American and Texas government that are required of all students by the University. Offices of faculty members are located on the fourth floor of the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Building.

The mission of the department is essentially two fold: (1) to develop general competencies in students that will allow them to continue their education in either graduate or professional schools upon completion of their undergraduate studies; and (2) to prepare students for entry-level professional public service positions. Three objectives are prominent in the realization of this mission: (1) to provide students with essential knowledge and understanding of the dynamics related to the Texas, national, and international political systems and their relationships to these systems; (2) to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the American political system; and (3) to develop problem solving skills and competencies in students that will translate to various work settings.

Requirements for the B.A. in Political Science, B.S. in Public Affairs, and the B.S. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security are specified in detail below.

As first-time degree seekers, students are required to declare a minor in a second academic discipline either through the Department or through another department for graduation for the B.A. in Political Science and the B.S. in Public Affairs. No minor is required for the B.S. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Grades of “C” or better (grades of “C-” are unacceptable) must be earned in all major and minor courses required for graduation. Additionally, in selecting minors, students should seek detailed advisement from their designated advisors because the selection of a minor having representative courses in the core curriculum for the degree of choice could impact the total number of credits required. In no case will students qualify for graduation at the undergraduate level with fewer than 120 semester credit hours satisfactorily completed.

At the beginning of the senior year, majors should have their overall transcripts and records evaluated by the Faculty Chair to verify their status with regard to graduation. An exit examination is required of all graduating seniors.

Students wishing to pursue one of the three undergraduate degrees offered through the Department must first gain admission to the University, and must petition the Department for admission. In petitioning, students must have an earned overall GPA of 2.00 or better and have completed the following courses with grades of “C” or better (grades of “C-“ are unacceptable):

• In those instances where a student has an exemplary record and may not have met all of the requirements, he/she can make a special appeal to the Department for admission. Once admitted to the Department for admission, students are each assigned an official advisor who must approve all class schedules, and they must keep the Department informed of current addresses and telephone numbers up to graduation. Students must also retain a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and fulfill all prerequisites for required courses prior to scheduling them to remain in good standing in the Department. Students failing to meet prerequisites for courses will be administratively withdrawn from them. Students are also cautioned that transfer credits will be accepted for either elective or required courses only if grades of “C” or better have been earned (grades of “C-” are unacceptable).

Political Science Courses

Public Affairs Courses

Emergency Management and Homeland Security Courses