Programs

The general aim of the department is to teach students a deeper understanding of government and politics both in the United States and overseas. Training in the department may serve as preparation for graduate school or law school, government jobs at both the federal and state levels, opportunities in business and teaching, or just being an informed citizen.

Political Science graduates will demonstrate:

  • in-depth knowledge of government and politics in the U.S. and the world;
  • a balanced preparation in four subfields of political science: American politics, comparative government, international relations, and political theory;
  • the capacity for success in law school, graduate school, and careers in government.

Major

(B.A. degree) Thirty-three hours required. Thirty hours in Political Science, including: (1) POS 100: American Government; (2) POS 240: Political Thought; (3) POS 300: World Politics; (4) POS 307: Comparative Politics; (5) POS 425: Political Science Research Methods; and (6) POS 450: Senior Seminar. In addition, students must complete three semester hours in allied courses approved by the Department. The remaining twelve semester hours must be at the 300- or 400- level. Only six semester hours credit in the major will be given for courses taken off campus in the intern program.

Minor

Eighteen semester hours required, including: (1) POS 100: American Government; (2) POS 240: Political Thought; (3) POS 300: World Politics; and (4) POS 307: Comparative Politics. Only three semester hours credit in the minor will be given for courses taken off campus in the intern program.

Note: In order to enroll in any 400-level class in political science, the student must have successfully passed either POS 100: American Government, POS 240: Political thought, POS 300: World Politics, POS 307: Comparative Politics, or have received the permission of the instructor.

Master of Public Administration Accelerated Program

The University of Kentucky’s Martin School of Public Policy and Administration offers particularly gifted and highly motivated students at Georgetown College the opportunity and the challenge of integrating their undergraduate and graduate courses of study in a single continuous program culminating in both a baccalaureate and a Master of Public Administration. The M.P.A. is designed for students with an interest in public and nonprofit service, allowing them to take graduate level courses during the 4th year of their undergraduate program. Application

to the program should be submitted by the end of the student’s junior year. Applicants should have (1) completed at least 86 credit hours of work toward the bachelor’s degree or be eligible for senior standing in the semester they are admitted to the program and (2) earned an undergraduate grade point average of at least a 3.5 in the major field and 3.2 overall

Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Commerce/ University Scholars Program

The University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce offers particularly gifted and highly motivated students at Georgetown College the opportunity and the challenge of integrating their undergraduate and graduate courses of study in a single continuous program culminating in both a baccalaureate degree and a Masters of Arts in Diplomacy and International Commerce. The M.A. program is designed for students with an interest in foreign service including diplomacy, national security, commerce or international organization and nonprofit organization work. The program offers the added benefit of allowing students to take graduate-level courses during the 4th year of their undergraduate program. An application to the program should be submitted during the second semester of the student’s junior year. Applicants should have

  1. completed at least 86 credit hours of work toward the bachelor’s degree or be eligible for senior standing in the semester they are admitted to the program and
  2. earned an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.5 in the major field and 3.2 cumulative.