Political Science, B.A.

The major in political science requires 33 credit hours (11 courses). At least 18 advanced hours (3000 level and above) must be completed in residence. No coursework counting toward the major may be taken pass/fail. The following additional requirements apply to the 27 advanced hours (3000 level and above):

• A minimum of 15 credit hours of in-class advanced-level courses must be taken on an SMU campus (Dallas or Taos). In-class hours do not include directed studies courses (PLSC 4102 , PLSC 4202 , PLSC 4302 ), internships (PLSC 4385 ) and departmental distinction thesis (PLSC 4307 ). SMU campus courses do not include transfer courses, Washington Semester Program courses (PLSC 4301 , PLSC 4401 , PLSC 4402 , PLSC 4403 , PLSC 4404 ) and courses taken in SMU-approved study abroad programs.
• A maximum of three credit hours of directed studies courses (PLSC 4102 , PLSC 4202 , and PLSC 4302 ) or internships (PLSC 4385 ) may count toward the major.
• A maximum of 16 credit hours of (preapproved) advanced-level courses in SMU-approved study abroad programs or the Washington Semester Program may be counted toward the major. (These hours will not count toward the required 15 hours of in-class, on-campus, advanced-level courses specified above.)

SMU Degree Requirements

An SMU undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and must include completion of the University’s Common Curriculum , one major and a combination of electives and/or other majors or minors. Completion of certain majors requires more than 120 hours to finish the degree. The credit hours within this curriculum are distributed as follows: