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Political Science Degree (B.A), Law Concentration

Courses in the Law major concentration prepare you law school and related legal careers, as well as graduate study in Political Science with a focus on public law.

Requirements

Requirements for the Political Science Major

39 total credits are required to fulfill this major's requirements, as defined below:

  • 12 credits of Political Science Core courses 
  • 12 credits within the chosen concentration
  • 15 credits of additional Political Science electives

Students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Options for Law and International Studies concentrations should expect to complete 18 credits within their concentration, and 9 credits of elective coursework.

Students transferring in coursework from other schools must complete a minimum of 18 credits in Political Science at Westfield State University.

The Department of Political Science encourages students to participate in internships. Students may apply up to 6 Internship credits toward the 39 credit major.

  • 3 of these Internship credits may be applied to the concentration.
  • Up to 3 of these Internship credits may be applied toward the 18-credit minor.

For details about Political Science Internship credits, please click here to view the department's Internship manual, or contact the department.

Required Major Core Courses (12 credits)

Required Electives (9-15 credits)

Students must complete 15 credits of additional Political Science coursework.

Students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Options for Law or International Studies concentrations should expect to complete 9 credits in this area.

Law Concentration (12 credits)

This concentration is ideal for students interested in preparing for law school and related legal careers, as well as graduate study in Political Science with a focus in public law.

Choose four courses (or a total of 12 credits) from below:

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate critical political thinking, reading, writing and speaking skills.
  • Students will identify and articulate an ideological stance.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative political research of others, and conduct their own political research.
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