Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Political Science Sample Online Curriculum
This sample course of study is based on the 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog. It is not an official advising document. All efforts have been made to provide accurate program information. However, this information is subject to change by the department.
Already have college credits? Our online enrollment coordinators can provide a free unofficial transfer evaluation before you apply to ODU. Official review of your student records happens when you apply to and are admitted to ODU.
Look Up Course Equivalencies for Transfer
- VCCS-to-ODU Transfer Recommendations
- Course-by-Course Equivalencies from Colleges & Universities Nationwide
- Or contact us for a free unofficial transfer evaluation before you apply!
Lower Division General Education and Departmental Requirements
This degree program is available completely online at ODU, which means you can start as a freshman. If you already have college credits, you may be able to transfer them to ODU and satisfy many of these lower division course requirements.
| Old Dominion University Course | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 110C English Composition | 3 | Satisfies GEN ED Written Communication |
| GEN ED. (DEPT) Written Communication Skills | 3 | ENGL 211C or 221C |
| GEN ED. Literature | 3 | |
| GEN ED. Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GEN ED. (DEPT) Mathematical Skills | 3 | STAT 130M is required for the B.S. degree and recommended for the B.A. degree |
| GEN ED. Language and Culture* | 0-12 | |
| GEN ED. Human Creativity | 3 | |
| GEN ED. Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| GEN ED. Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| GEN ED. The Nature of Science | 4 | |
| GEN ED. The Nature of Science | 4 | |
| GEN ED. Impact of Technology | 3 | Any ODU "T" course |
| GEN ED. (DEPT) Human Behavior | 3 | ECON 201S |
* For the Bachelor of Arts degree, you must have language competence through the 202 level. You may receive credit for prior coursework in high school or college, or through demonstrated competence.
Major Courses
Some course requirements are different depending on whether you pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
All students will use elective courses to complete at least nine credit hours in American politics/public law, and at least nine credit hours in international relations/comparative politics.
In your junior or senior year, you will complete and submit a capstone paper to the department.
| Old Dominion University Course | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 100S Introduction to International Politics | 3 | |
| POLS 101S Introduction to America Politics | 3 | |
| POLS 102S Intro to Comparative Goverment and Politics | 3 | |
| ECON 202S or GEOG 100S | 3 | |
| POLS 308 Research Design | 3 | Satisfies GEN ED. Information Literacy/Research Skills requirement |
| Three POLS 300-400 electives | 9 | |
| B.A. only - one additional POLS 300-400 elective | 3 | |
| B.S. only - POLS 418 Quantitative Methods | 3 | |
| Three POLS 400-level electives | 9 | |
| One POLS 300-400 writing intensive (W) elective | 3 |
Upper-Division General Education Requirement
- Option A. An approved minor, second degree or second major (12 credit hours minimum)
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor (12 credit hours)
- Option C. International business and regional courses or an approved certification program, such as teaching licensure.
- Option D. Two upper division courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters, or two upper division courses not required by the major from the Arts and Humanities Component. (6 credit hours)
View this program in ODU's Undergraduate Catalog
This bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours total.
To complete this degree at ODU as a transfer, a minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned at ODU.