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About Political Science Academic Advising
Our academic advising program consists of a professional academic advisor and regular contact with faculty. You are welcome to make an appointment, drop-in or email us with any questions about your academic plan, progress towards your degree, and plans for the future. Many of our students are the first in their family to go to college, and we are excited to help everyone successfully complete their education at MSU Denver.
Contact an Advisor or Faculty Member
Our advisors provide accurate advice so you don’t miss a class and can complete your degree on time. You can make an appointment directly through the University’s Navigate System, or contact an advisor by email.
Our faculty provide general advice on course selection, mapping courses to career goals, and provide information about career and post-graduate opportunities. Contact individual faculty through our Faculty and Staff Page.
Political Science Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science provides students the substantive knowledge and applied skills to successfully navigate the political and public worlds, whether at the local, state or national levels, and across the globe. Students concentrate in Comparative Politics and International Relations or American Politics and Public Policy. The program is designed for students interested in a variety of career fields, including public service, public administration, public policy, campaigns and elections, international affairs, the Foreign Service, and public advocacy at all levels. The program also provides the necessary foundation for successful applications to graduate and law schools.
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Link theory and practice and apply political science knowledge and skills to actual problem-solving and community service; acquire citizenship skills, ethical values, and understand and appreciate human diversity; and engage in community life as active citizens.
- Demonstrate substantive knowledge of institutions, processes, behaviors and values that shape politics within or among States.
- Understand the history of classical and modern political thought, the fundamental values and ethical issues contested in politics over time, and alternative moral and ethical frameworks for interpreting contemporary political discourses.
- Understand political science research and analytical skills, including critical thinking, logical argumentation, and how to collect, analyze and interpret evidence and data to formulate reasoned conclusions.
- Effectively delivery professional written communications.
- Understand and interpret qualitative and quantitative evidence and data, and formulate and communicate reasoned conclusions from these methods.
- Effectively engage in oral communications and presentations in professional fields related to politics, public policy and the law.
- Understand career options available with an undergraduate degree in political science; its utility in the public and private sectors; and its value as entry into a range of graduate programs and law schools.
Our three-year course rotation helps you plan your schedule.
PSC 1010 American National Government (Online and In-Person)
PSC 2230 Introduction to International Relations (Online)
PSC 3050 Political Theory (Online)
PSC 3130 The American Presidency (Online)
PSC 3250 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (Online)
PSC 3640 Defense and Development: East Asian (In-Person Maymester)
NAS 1000 Intro to Native American Studies (Online)
There are other courses that will be available that are cross-listed with other Departments. These are tentative planned course offerings. All courses are subject to cancellation if enrollment is too low.
PSC 1010 American National Government (Online and In-Person)
PSC 1020 Comparative Politics (Online and In-person)
PSC 1030 Multicultural Politics (Online)
PSC 2020 Conducting Political Analysis (In-person)
PSC 2030 Politics in the Media (In-Person)
PSC 2230 Introduction to International Relations (Online)
PSC 3000 State and Local Politics (Online)
PSC 3020 Intro to Public Administration (In-Person)
PSC 3050 Political Theory (Online)
PSC 3100 American Parties, Elections and Voting (In-Person)
PSC 3120 Constitutional Law (In-person)
PSC 3150 Law and Society (In-Person)
PSC 3230 Environmental Politics (Online)
PSC 30AB Authoritarian Populism (In-Person)
PSC 3670 European Politics (In-Person)
PSC 39AJ Political Campaigns (Online)
PSC 402B Democracy (Senior Experience) (Online or On-Campus)
NAS 1000 Intro to Native American Studies (Online)
There are other courses that will be available that are cross-listed with other Departments. These are tentative planned course offerings. All courses are subject to cancellation if enrollment is too low.
| S2023 | |
| PSC 1010 Am National Government | M/O |
| PSC 1020 Comparative Politics | M/O |
| PSC 1030 Multicultural Politics for Non-Majors | O |
| PSC 2020 Conducting Political Analysis | M |
| PSC 2030 Politics in the Media | M |
| PSC 2230 Intro to International Relations | M/O |
| PSC 2240 Global Challenges in the 21st Century | O |
| PSC 3050 Political Theory | M/O |
| PSC 3000 Am. State and Local Gov’t | |
| PSC 3010 Urban Politics | M/O |
| PSC 3020 Intro to Public Admin | |
| PSC 3090 Current Topics in PSC: Variable | |
| PSC3100 Am. Parties and Elections and Voting Behavior | |
| PSC3110 Federal Indian Law | M |
| PSC 3120 American Constitutional Law | M |
| PSC 3130 The American Presidency | M |
| PSC 3140 The Am. Congress and Legislative Process | |
| PSC 3150 Law and Society | M |
| PSC 3160 Readings in PSC and Pub. Admin: Variable | |
| PSC 3520 American Political Thought | |
| PSC 39AJ Political Campaigns* | |
| PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3220 Public Policy | M or O |
| PSC 3230 Environmental Politics | O |
| PSC 3240 Intergovernmental Relations | |
| PSC 3250 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation | |
| PSC 3260 Politics of Budgeting | |
| PSC 3280 Public Personnel Administration | |
| PSC 3300 Land Use, Culture and Conflict** | |
| PSC 3310 American Foreign and Military Policy | M or O |
| PSC 3320 International Law | |
| PSC 30AB Authoritarian Populism | |
| PSC 3330 International Organizations | M |
| PSC 3340 International Political Economy | |
| PSC 3350 Global Issues Forum: Variable Topics | |
| PSC 3360 Advanced Problems in International Relations | |
| PSC 3379 Middle Eastern Cultures | |
| PSC 3400 Contemporary Africa** | |
| PSC 3530 Gender and Global Politics | |
| PSC 3540 Women in the Developing World** | |
| PSC 3600 Comparative Politics Area Studies: Variable | |
| PSC 3630 Latin American Politics | |
| PSC 3640 Regional Defense and Development: E. Asia | |
| PSC 3670 European Politics | |
| PSC 3910 African Politics and Government | |
| LDR 1010 Leadership and Social Change | |
| PSC3170 Leadership Studies | M |
| PSC3800 On Leaders and Leadership | |
| NAS1000 Introduction to Native American Studies | O |
| NAS/PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3980 (INT) | |
| PSC 4020 (CAP) Democracy: US & Third World | M |
| PSC 409D Applied Political Research Lab* | ? |
| PSC 4240 Women and Violence** |
O=Online. M=In-person, main campus. There are other courses that will be available that are cross-listed with other Departments. These are tentative planned course offerings. All courses are subject to cancellation if enrollment is too low.
| SUM2023 | |
| PSC 1010 Am National Government | M/O |
| PSC 1020 Comparative Politics | M/O |
| PSC 1030 Multicultural Politics for Non-Majors | O |
| PSC 2020 Conducting Political Analysis | |
| PSC 2030 Politics in the Media | |
| PSC 2230 Intro to International Relations | O |
| PSC 2240 Global Challenges in the 21st Century | |
| PSC 3050 Political Theory | O |
| PSC 3000 Am. State and Local Gov’t | |
| PSC 3010 Urban Politics | |
| PSC 3020 Intro to Public Admin | |
| PSC 3090 Current Topics in PSC: Variable | |
| PSC3100 Am. Parties and Elections and Voting Behavior | |
| PSC3110 Federal Indian Law | |
| PSC 3120 American Constitutional Law | |
| PSC 3130 The American Presidency | |
| PSC 3140 The Am. Congress and Legislative Process | |
| PSC 3150 Law and Society | |
| PSC 3160 Readings in PSC and Pub. Admin: Variable | |
| PSC 3520 American Political Thought | |
| PSC 39AJ Political Campaigns* | |
| PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3220 Public Policy | |
| PSC 3230 Environmental Politics | |
| PSC 3240 Intergovernmental Relations | |
| PSC 3250 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation | |
| PSC 3260 Politics of Budgeting | |
| PSC 3280 Public Personnel Administration | |
| PSC 3300 Land Use, Culture and Conflict** | |
| PSC 3310 American Foreign and Military Policy | |
| PSC 3320 International Law | |
| PSC 30AB Authoritarian Populism | |
| PSC 3330 International Organizations | |
| PSC 3340 International Political Economy | |
| PSC 3350 Global Issues Forum: Variable Topics | |
| PSC 3360 Advanced Problems in International Relations | |
| PSC 3379 Middle Eastern Cultures | |
| PSC 3400 Contemporary Africa** | |
| PSC 3530 Gender and Global Politics | |
| PSC 3540 Women in the Developing World** | |
| PSC 3600 Comparative Politics Area Studies: Variable | |
| PSC 3630 Latin American Politics | |
| PSC 3640 Regional Defense and Development: E. Asia | M? |
| PSC 3670 European Politics | |
| PSC 3910 African Politics and Government | |
| LDR 1010 Leadership and Social Change | |
| PSC3170 Leadership Studies | |
| PSC3800 On Leaders and Leadership | |
| NAS1000 Introduction to Native American Studies | O |
| NAS/PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3980 (INT) | |
| PSC 4020 (CAP) Democracy: US & Third World | |
| PSC 409D Applied Political Research Lab* | |
| PSC 4240 Women and Violence** |
O=Online. M=In-person, main campus. There are other courses that will be available that are cross-listed with other Departments. These are tentative planned course offerings. All courses are subject to cancellation if enrollment is too low.
| F2023 | |
| PSC 1010 Am National Government | M/O |
| PSC 1020 Comparative Politics | M/O |
| PSC 1030 Multicultural Politics for Non-Majors | O |
| PSC 2020 Conducting Political Analysis | M |
| PSC 2030 Politics in the Media | |
| PSC 2230 Intro to International Relations | M/O |
| PSC 2240 Global Challenges in the 21st Century | |
| PSC 3050 Political Theory | M/O |
| PSC 3000 Am. State and Local Gov’t | M or O |
| PSC 3010 Urban Politics | |
| PSC 3020 Intro to Public Admin | M or O |
| PSC 3090 Current Topics in PSC: Variable | |
| PSC3100 Am. Parties and Elections and Voting Behavior | |
| PSC3110 Federal Indian Law | |
| PSC 3120 American Constitutional Law | M |
| PSC 3130 The American Presidency | |
| PSC 3140 The Am. Congress and Legislative Process | |
| PSC 3150 Law and Society | M |
| PSC 3160 Readings in PSC and Pub. Admin: Variable | |
| PSC 3520 American Political Thought | |
| PSC 39AJ Political Campaigns* | |
| PSC 3200 Native American Politics | M |
| PSC 3220 Public Policy | |
| PSC 3230 Environmental Politics | O |
| PSC 3240 Intergovernmental Relations | |
| PSC 3250 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation | M or O |
| PSC 3260 Politics of Budgeting | |
| PSC 3280 Public Personnel Administration | |
| PSC 3300 Land Use, Culture and Conflict** | |
| PSC 3310 American Foreign and Military Policy | |
| PSC 3320 International Law | M |
| PSC 30AB Authoritarian Populism | |
| PSC 3330 International Organizations | |
| PSC 3340 International Political Economy | M |
| PSC 3350 Global Issues Forum: Variable Topics | |
| PSC 3360 Advanced Problems in International Relations | |
| PSC 3379 Middle Eastern Cultures | |
| PSC 3400 Contemporary Africa** | |
| PSC 3530 Gender and Global Politics | |
| PSC 3540 Women in the Developing World** | |
| PSC 3600 Comparative Politics Area Studies: Variable | |
| PSC 3630 Latin American Politics | M? |
| PSC 3640 Regional Defense and Development: E. Asia | |
| PSC 3670 European Politics | |
| PSC 3910 African Politics and Government | |
| LDR 1010 Leadership and Social Change | M Hyb |
| PSC3170 Leadership Studies | |
| PSC3800 On Leaders and Leadership | |
| NAS1000 Introduction to Native American Studies | O |
| NAS/PSC 3200 Native American Politics | M |
| PSC 3980 (INT) | |
| PSC 4020 (CAP) Democracy: US & Third World | M |
| PSC 409D Applied Political Research Lab* | |
| PSC 4240 Women and Violence** |
O=Online. M=In-person, main campus. There are other courses that will be available that are cross-listed with other Departments. These are tentative planned course offerings. All courses are subject to cancellation if enrollment is too low.
| S2024 | |
| PSC 1010 Am National Government | M/O |
| PSC 1020 Comparative Politics | M/O |
| PSC 1030 Multicultural Politics for Non-Majors | O |
| PSC 2020 Conducting Political Analysis | M |
| PSC 2030 Politics in the Media | |
| PSC 2230 Intro to International Relations | M/O |
| PSC 2240 Global Challenges in the 21st Century | |
| PSC 3050 Political Theory | M/O |
| PSC 3000 Am. State and Local Gov’t | |
| PSC 3010 Urban Politics | M/O |
| PSC 3020 Intro to Public Admin | |
| PSC 3090 Current Topics in PSC: Variable | |
| PSC3100 Am. Parties and Elections and Voting Behavior | |
| PSC3110 Federal Indian Law | |
| PSC 3120 American Constitutional Law | M |
| PSC 3130 The American Presidency | M |
| PSC 3140 The Am. Congress and Legislative Process | M or O |
| PSC 3150 Law and Society | M |
| PSC 3160 Readings in PSC and Pub. Admin: Variable | |
| PSC 3520 American Political Thought | |
| PSC 39AJ Political Campaigns* | |
| PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3220 Public Policy | M or O |
| PSC 3230 Environmental Politics | O |
| PSC 3240 Intergovernmental Relations | |
| PSC 3250 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation | |
| PSC 3260 Politics of Budgeting | |
| PSC 3280 Public Personnel Administration | |
| PSC 3300 Land Use, Culture and Conflict** | |
| PSC 3310 American Foreign and Military Policy | M or O |
| PSC 3320 International Law | |
| PSC 30AB Authoritarian Populism | M |
| PSC 3330 International Organizations | M |
| PSC 3340 International Political Economy | |
| PSC 3350 Global Issues Forum: Variable Topics | |
| PSC 3360 Advanced Problems in International Relations | |
| PSC 3379 Middle Eastern Cultures | |
| PSC 3400 Contemporary Africa** | |
| PSC 3530 Gender and Global Politics | |
| PSC 3540 Women in the Developing World** | |
| PSC 3600 Comparative Politics Area Studies: Variable | |
| PSC 3630 Latin American Politics | |
| PSC 3640 Regional Defense and Development: E. Asia | |
| PSC 3670 European Politics | M |
| PSC 3910 African Politics and Government | |
| LDR 1010 Leadership and Social Change | |
| PSC3170 Leadership Studies | |
| PSC3800 On Leaders and Leadership | M |
| NAS1000 Introduction to Native American Studies | O |
| NAS/PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3980 (INT) | |
| PSC 4020 (CAP) Democracy: US & Third World | M |
| PSC 409D Applied Political Research Lab* | |
| PSC 4240 Women and Violence** |
O=Online. M=In-person, main campus. There are other courses that will be available that are cross-listed with other Departments. These are tentative planned course offerings. All courses are subject to cancellation if enrollment is too low.
| SUM2024 | |
| PSC 1010 Am National Government | M/O |
| PSC 1020 Comparative Politics | M/O |
| PSC 1030 Multicultural Politics for Non-Majors | O |
| PSC 2020 Conducting Political Analysis | M |
| PSC 2030 Politics in the Media | |
| PSC 2230 Intro to International Relations | O |
| PSC 2240 Global Challenges in the 21st Century | |
| PSC 3050 Political Theory | O |
| PSC 3000 Am. State and Local Gov’t | |
| PSC 3010 Urban Politics | |
| PSC 3020 Intro to Public Admin | |
| PSC 3090 Current Topics in PSC: Variable | |
| PSC3100 Am. Parties and Elections and Voting Behavior | |
| PSC3110 Federal Indian Law | |
| PSC 3120 American Constitutional Law | |
| PSC 3130 The American Presidency | |
| PSC 3140 The Am. Congress and Legislative Process | |
| PSC 3150 Law and Society | |
| PSC 3160 Readings in PSC and Pub. Admin: Variable | |
| PSC 3520 American Political Thought | |
| PSC 39AJ Political Campaigns* | |
| PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3220 Public Policy | |
| PSC 3230 Environmental Politics | |
| PSC 3240 Intergovernmental Relations | |
| PSC 3250 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation | |
| PSC 3260 Politics of Budgeting | |
| PSC 3280 Public Personnel Administration | |
| PSC 3300 Land Use, Culture and Conflict** | |
| PSC 3310 American Foreign and Military Policy | |
| PSC 3320 International Law | |
| PSC 30AB Authoritarian Populism | |
| PSC 3330 International Organizations | |
| PSC 3340 International Political Economy | |
| PSC 3350 Global Issues Forum: Variable Topics | |
| PSC 3360 Advanced Problems in International Relations | |
| PSC 3379 Middle Eastern Cultures | |
| PSC 3400 Contemporary Africa** | |
| PSC 3530 Gender and Global Politics | |
| PSC 3540 Women in the Developing World** | |
| PSC 3600 Comparative Politics Area Studies: Variable | |
| PSC 3630 Latin American Politics | |
| PSC 3640 Regional Defense and Development: E. Asia | M? |
| PSC 3670 European Politics | |
| PSC 3910 African Politics and Government | |
| LDR 1010 Leadership and Social Change | |
| PSC3170 Leadership Studies | |
| PSC3800 On Leaders and Leadership | |
| NAS1000 Introduction to Native American Studies | O |
| NAS/PSC 3200 Native American Politics | |
| PSC 3980 (INT) | |
| PSC 4020 (CAP) Democracy: US & Third World | |
| PSC 409D Applied Political Research Lab* | |
| PSC 4240 Women and Violence** |
O=Online. M=In-person, main campus. There are other courses that will be available that are cross-listed with other Departments. These are tentative planned course offerings. All courses are subject to cancellation if enrollment is too low.