Political Science/Public Service

The political science major at North Dakota State University has a special public service option which provides students with the opportunity to concentrate their course work in two non-teaching and non-law professional areas of study and enables them to prepare for private and public sector employment. The program provides students with a substantial background in the study of government, which comprises the fields of political behavior, political theory, international relations, and the judiciary. Integrated within the curriculum of study is a 15-credit internship which may be taken at various levels of government and of major political party organization.

The Program

Within the public service option -- political science major, the Department of Political Science offers two professional degree tracks: (I) to a program in government administration, for those who aspire future employment in government agencies; and (2) an emphasis in political management for those who desire employment with political party organizations and interest groups.

Internship Program

Internships have existed with the North Dakota State Legislature (graduate students only), U.S. Representatives, Senators, local governments, and businesses.

The Faculty

Thomas Ambrosio, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1999, University of Virginia
Dr. Nicholas Bauroth, Assitant Professor, Ph.D., 2003, Layola University Chicago
Dr. Manjusha Gupte, Assistant Professor, Ph.D.,2003, Purdue University
Robert A. Wood, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1983, University of Missouri

Sample Curriculum

General Education

Some of the courses taken to fulfill the major requirements will also fulfill general education requirements.

Professional Major

110 -- Introduction to Political Science

220 (140) -- Introduction to International Relations

PolS 215 (260) -- Problems and Policies in American Government and Politics
PolS 240 (210) -- Political Ideologies
PolS 325 (399) (396) -- Applied Research Methods (STAT 330 is a co-requisite for this course)
STAT 330 -- Introductory Statistics (4 credits)
PolS 420 -- Political Process- Executive/Legislative Processes
PolS 422 (499)-- State & Local Politics
PolS 430 -- Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
PolS 442 -- Global Policy Issues
PolS 489 (498)-- Senior Seminar
Pols 499 -- Politics, Government, & Crime
PolsS 499 -- Environment Politics & Policies

Internship

PolS 496 (497) (495) -- Field Experience

Supplemental Vocational Requirements

Select either the Government Administration Supplement or the Political Management Supplement.

Government Administration

Acct 200, (211) -- Elements of Accounting I
Acct 201 (212) -- Elements of Accounting II
Busn 350 -- Principles of Management
Econ 202 (111)-- Principles of Macroeconomics
Engl 320 -- Practical Writing

Political Management

Students must meet the University's general education requirements as well as the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into the program.

For Further Information please contact:

Department of Political Science
North Dakota State University
CJPP 110
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8938
Fax: (701) 231-5877
E-Mail: kevin.thompson@ndsu.edu

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Last Modified: July 17, 2007