Bachelor of Arts (Government Major -- 130 semester hours)
A student may complete the six semester hour requirement in federal and state government for a baccalaureate degree in any one of the following ways:
- Successfully completing Government 2301 and 2302.
- Achieving credit by examination for Government 2302 and successfully completing Government 2301.
A major in government requires a total of 33 semester hours of which 27 must be advanced. The 27 advanced hours must include Government 3301 and at least three semester hours from each of the first three areas and six semester hours from area four
- Political Theory (3331, 3332, 4331, 4332).
- International Relations and Comparative Political Systems (3341, 33511, 4351, 4353, 4354).
- Public Administration and Public Policy (3305, 4310, 4311).
- American Government (government courses exclusive of those listed above).
|
ACADEMIC MAJOR |
Semester Hours |
| Government 2301 and 2302 | 6 |
| Government 3301 | 3 |
| Government 3331, 3332, 4331 or 4332 | 3 |
| Government 3341, 3351, 4351, 4353 or 4354 | 3 |
| Government 3305, 4310 or 4311 | 3 |
| Government (advanced American Government exclusive of those listed above) | 6 |
| Government (advanced) | 9 |
|
OTHER REQUIREMENTS |
Semester Hours |
| Communication 2301 | 3 |
| Computer Literacy (Animal Science 1351, Communication 2345, Computer Science 1301, Education 2323, Business Computer Information Systems 1305, Journalism 2345, Music 2353 or University Studies 2323 | 3 |
| English 1301, 1302 and sophomore literature | 9 |
| History 1301 and 1302 | 6 |
| Mathematics 1302, 1303, 1311, 1312, 1321, 2331 or 2332 | 3 |
| Natural Science (two lab sciences: biology, chemistry, geology, physical science or physics) | 8 |
| Physical Activity course | 1 |
| Social Science (economics, geography, psychology or sociology) lower division | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (art, drama or music) lower division |
3 |
| Modern Language 2311 (Spanish 2310 or 2311), 2312 (also 1301, 1302 if necessary)** | 6-12 |
| Humanities (English-an additional sophomore literature, History 2331 or 2332, Philosophy 2301, 2311 or 2321) | 3 |
| Minor | 18 |
| Electives | 25-31 |
The above plan meets all core curriculum and Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. The BA degree with a major in Government requires a minimum of 130 semester credit hours, a minimum of 39 advanced (junior and senior level) semester credit hours and a minimum of 33 semester credit hours in residence (24 of which must be at the advanced level).
* Students who are interested in public administration careers or in pursuing a graduate degree in public administration should use the electives in the government degree program to take the following courses: Communication 1351; Economics 2301, 2302; Psychology 2301; Sociology 2303; University Studies 2323; Accounting 2301, 2302, 3301. Also refer to the Government Internship in Public Administration section that follows.
** See ASU Catalog for modern language requirements
Graduation Requirement for Government Majors
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts in Government are required to complete a Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT) in Government in order to be eligible for graduation. Students may take this examination after completing all government requirements or in the semester immediately prior to graduation. The examination will be administered at no cost to the student. The exam score will not affect GPA, but will be part of the student's record.
Government Internship
Government internships are available to qualified junior and senior students who are majoring in government and have a minimum GPA of 2.00. If the student is accepted as an intern, an appropriate advanced course designed to prepare the student for intern duties will be taken the semester preceding the internship. During the semester of the internship, duties will be performed in an approved government or political agency, for which six semester hours of credit (Government 4671) will be received. The student will intern under the supervision of a member of the government faculty and the work will involve a combination of practical work and research. The six semester hours of credit received for the internship will be in addition to the regular requirement of thirty-three semester hours for a major in government. Application for the internship program must be made the semester before the advanced preparation course is taken. The applications can be obtained in the office of the Department of Government.
Social Studies as a Secondary Composite Teaching Field
A student who chooses Social Studies as a composite teaching field must complete the following Economics 2301, 3331, Geography 2301, and either 3302 or 3303, Government 2301, 2302, and 12 advanced semester hours of government; History 1301, 1302, 2331, 2332, 3301 or 4302, six semester hours of advanced U.S. History (excluding 3301 and 4302), and nine advanced semester hours of non-U.S. History.
Pre-Law
A student preparing for law school should complete a baccalaureate degree. A major in government provides excellent pre-law preparation though numerous other majors are acceptable to most law schools. A pre-law student wishing to major in government should consult the Government Department's pre-law advisor (currently Mr. Jerry Perry) to be advised in the selection of a supporting concentration and electives.