There are a few things you might do.  Speak with any of our faculty about the major or minor.  Talk with our Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Thom Yantek.  If you decide you want to major or minor, go to the office of the College of Arts and Sciences, 105 Bowman, and make an appointment to meet with an academic advisor.  You can also schedule an appointment online at http://as.kent.edu.  The advisor will give you a major or minor declaration form and a major or minor requirements sheet.  Bring both to the Political Science office, 302 Bowman; and meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  The receptionist in the College office will give you a sheet of paper that indicates the Director’s office hours, but if you want to make sure you won’t have to wait, call ahead or e-mail to reserve a time.  The Director will sign the declaration form and go over the requirement sheet with you and assign you a Political Science advisor.  You return the declaration form to the College office. 

2.  I’m a transfer student and want to have my courses evaluated to see if they count for Political Science credit.  What do I do?

The first step is to make an appointment with an academic advisor in the College office (105 Bowman Hall) to discuss the transient process and pick up the necessary form. Once you have the form required, meet with our Director of Undergraduate Studies. Bring the print out you received that shows the courses that transfer "as is." If, for example, you took a World Politics course at Cuyahoga Community College, you will get credit for World Politics at KSU and you won’t have to do anything. If you took courses for which we do not have an exact equivalent, the Director of Undergraduate Studies will evaluate them. It will be helpful if you bring with you something about the courses you want evaluated, e.g. syllabi and/or catalog copy. Catalog descriptions are very helpful and you can frequently get them from the Internet.

3. This summer I want to take a political science class at another school.  Can it count towards my political science major or minor?

Probably. First make an appointment with an academic advisor in the College office (105 Bowman) to discuss the transient process and pick up the necessary form. Once you have the form, meet with our Director of Undergraduate Studies, who will evaluate the class and give you a decision. To expedite things, bring whatever information you have on the course with you. Catalogue descriptions are very helpful and you can frequently get them from the Internet.

4.  What can I do with a political science major?

See Careers in Political Science.

5.  Do I need a minor?

No, a minor is not required for graduation.  A political science minor works well with a major in Applied Conflict Management, English, History, Psychology, Justice Studies, or Journalism, to name a few.  Many political science majors minor in Pre-Law.  Remember---you do not need to major or minor in political science to go to law school!