Northern Illinois University

Department of Political Science

Undergraduate Minor collage

Minoring in Political Science

Political Science is a very popular minor that is used by many pre-law students, as well as majors from numerous diverse departments. To minor in political science a student need only take two required courses.

  1. POLS 100, American Government & Politics (3)
    or POLS 150, Democracy in America (3); and
  2. One course from among the following:

    POLS 220, Introduction to Public Policy (3)
    POLS 251, Introduction to Political Philosophy (3)
    POLS 260, Foreign and Comparative Politics (3)
    POLS 285, Introduction to International Relations (3)

Students then must complete four (12 hours) electives in political science. Minors are free to select their elective courses in a particular area (such as international politics or public law), or can select a diverse set of courses.

The department participates in the interdisciplinary minors in Black Studies, Environmental Studies, Gerontology, Latino/Latin American Studies, Urban Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, and Women's Studies.

Be sure to consult the Undergraduate Handbook, which includes information on degree requirements, including upper and lower division course requirements.