• Political Science (PLSC)
• International Politics (INTPL):
  • International Relations (INTRL)
  • International Political Economy (IPE)
  • National Security (NTSEC)
• Social Data Analytics (SODA)

• Political Science
• Business and the Liberal Arts
• Global Security

Bachelor of Arts:

• 36 credits required in the major
• Foreign Language: Requires up to level 3 (12^th credit level)
• 3 credits of Other Cultures
• 9 credits of Additional Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Natural Sciences, Quantification or additional foreign language

Bachelor of Science:

• 66 credits required in the major
• 3 credits of Calculus
• 3 credits of Computer Science
• 9 credits of additional Statistics/ Methodology courses

Political Science:

• History
• Philosophy
• Economics
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Criminology
• Geography (EMSC)
• Journalism (COMM)
• Communication Arts & Sciences
• African American Studies

International Politics:

• ALL Foreign Languages
• Economics
• History
• African studies
• Asian Studies
• Russian Area Studies
• Latin American Studies

You can contact the academic advisors by email or meet with them during drop-in advising or via a scheduled appointment.

Drop-In Advising

• 15 minute maximum
• Use for:
  • Quick questions
  • Urgent matters
  • All minor-related questions
• Pros:
  • No need to pre-schedule
  • Offered everyday
• Cons:
  • You may have to wait in line

Scheduled Appointments:

• 30 minutes
• For Majors or Concurrent Majors
  • Current or Exploring
• Schedule through one of the following:
  • Starfish  (starfish.psu.edu)
  • Angela Hill (amr25@psu.edu or 814-865-4597)
• Longer discussions regarding:
  • Next semester’s schedule
  • Education Abroad planning
  • Concurrent Major planning
  • Military Education forms
  • Graduate School planning (IUG)

The Department of Political Science has three academic advisors: Kristie Kalvin, Greg Nolan, and Mia Parise. To schedule an appointment with one of them, you should log in to Starfish at https://sites.psu.edu/starfishinfo/. Once logged in, go to the “Services” tab. Enter the name of the academic advisor you want to meet with in the Search bar on the far right of the screen and hit “Go.” On the search results page, click on the “Members” tab to view the appointment information for your chosen academic advisor.”

If you are unable to make your scheduled appointment, you may cancel your appointment through the scheduling system.  Please also contact the adviser via e-mail if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance.

Political Science & International Politics:

• Students are eligible to declare the Political Science and International Politics majors upon completion of 29.1 credits and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Social Data Analytics:

• Minimum third-semester classification
• Courses required with a grade of C or better:
  • MATH 110 or 140
  • MATH 111 or 141
  • CMPSC 122
• Courses required with a grade of B or better:
  • PL SC 309

Students who plan to declare PL SC or INTPL as a concurrent (second) major should make an appointment to meet with an adviser.

Yes, students can earn credit for internships related to Political Science. Students must complete a formal application process that will determine if their experience can count for credit towards their major. However, please note students cannot retroactively receive credit for internships.

Education Abroad is an excellent way to enhance your degree. Please find more information at the Penn State Global programs website at global.psu.edu

The Political Science department does not endorse specific education abroad programs. Our students are interested in all facets of government and because government exists everywhere, you can study abroad anywhere. Please work with your academic adviser to discuss how your abroad credits can be used toward your major requirements.

Penn State Political Science graduates are serving as advisors to the State Department; as attorneys and management specialists in the Department of Justice; as speech writers, lobbyists and policy analysts on Capitol Hill; and even in the United States Senate. Our alumni have built successful careers in business, and as lawyers, teachers, and journalists. Many are successful entrepreneurs, some work for NGOs, others are leaders of major corporations. You can learn from their experience through our alumni mentoring program.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

• 36 credits required in the major
• Foreign Language: Requires up to level 3 (12th credit level)
• 3 credits of Other Cultures
• 9 credits of Additional Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Natural Sciences, Quantification or additional foreign language

Bachelor of Science in Political Science

• 66 credits required in the major
• 3 credits of Calculus
• 3 credits of Computer Science
• 9 credits of additional Statistics/ Methodology courses

Bachelor of Science in International Politics