The Political Science 3+3 Program allows the highly qualified and motivated the opportunity to earn both their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Science and their Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in six years instead of the usual seven. Students complete three years of undergraduate study in political science before beginning law school in what would be their senior year; after successful completion of the first year of law school, students are awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from York College.
Political scientists study the formal and informal political processes that shape public policy. As a discipline, political science combines both humanistic and scientific perspectives in order to understand the behavior of individuals, groups, nations, and international organizations. The Department offers courses in all of the major fields of the discipline (American Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, Constitutional Law, International Relations, Political Theory, Quantitative Methods, Public Administration, and Public Policy.)
The major is designed to provide a firm foundation in all sub-fields and to provide sufficient flexibility for students to pursue their own intellectual interests with both breadth and depth. It provides a basis for informed participation in community organizations, electoral politics, national and world affairs, and public policy. Students receive a solid foundation for graduate study, including law, as well as for a wide variety of careers in both the public and private sector. Students often explore these possibilities through internships with government agencies, parties and groups, law firms, and selected businesses and non-profits.
Political Science 3+3, B.A. Learning Outcomes
Degree Requirements
Institutional Degree Requirements
Program-Specific Degree Requirements: To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Political Science must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the course requirements of the major and earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in all Political Science courses. Students must meet 90 credit hours by the end of their third year. Credits 60-90 must be met at YCP to meet the residency requirement of the college.
Students must also successfully complete at least 30 credits in their first year of law school in order to successfully obtain their Political Science B.A. degree. Admission to law school is not guaranteed; students must still meet the admissions standards of participating law schools. If law school admission is not secured, students will be responsible for completing the final 30 credits necessary to complete their Political Science B.A. degree at York College.
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