Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the political science office and when is it open?
How do I declare my major/minor?
What can I do with a degree in political science?
What are the political science major requirements?
If I want to go to law school, is a political science major a good choice?
If I can't remember who my advisor is or if I want to change my advisor, how can I?
Why is there a registration hold on my account?
Why am I unable to register for a political science course through Cougar Trail?
How do I get an override into a full political science course?
If I am dropped from a political science class for non-payment, will the political science department put me back in the class?
Do I have to take POLS 101,103/104,250 and 251 before taking other courses?
What do I have to do if I want to take a course at another institution or study abroad?
Can political science courses count toward the humanities credit?
How do I get in touch with the Charleston School of Law?
Where is the political science office and when is it open?
The political science department is housed in two buildings. The main office is located at 114 Wentworth Street at the corner of Coming and Wentworth Street, Room 202. The other building is located next door at 26 Coming Street. The political science main office is open from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. For specific faculty office locations and hours, please visit the Faculty webpage.
How do I declare my major/minor?
Stop by the political science main office at 114 Wentworth Street, rm. 202 and complete/submit the paperwork.
Declaration of Major form (pdf)
Declaration of Minor form (pdf)
What can I do with a degree in political science?
Majoring in political science can qualify you for many different careers in the private and public sector including careers in business, law, consulting, state, local, and federal government, journalism, communications, international organizations, finance, political campaigns, interest groups, community service and non-government organizations (NGO's) and pre-college and college teaching. Some job titles include: Program Coordinator, Lobbyist, Resource Coordinator, State Representative, Law Clerk, Government Relations Specialist, Investor Relations Manager, Executive Director of a nonprofit, Staff Assistant to a Senator, Juvenile Probation Officer, Budget Analyst, Hospital Administrator, Professor, Volunteer Coordinator, Political Consultant, City Planner, Highway Patrol Officer, Foreign Service Officer etc. Please visit Other Opportunities for career ideas and the College of Charleston's Career Center website.
What are the political science major requirements?
The major in political science is designed to have a beginning that provides a foundation (the Core: POLS 101, 103 or 104, 250 and 251), a middle that provides both breadth and depth of study (the subfields and electives), and an end that provides an integrative experience (the senior capstone seminar, POLS 405). A minimum of 36 semester hours are required for a major in political science. Students should begin with the core and plan to complete the 12 hours in the core within the first 15 hours of POLS coursework. All Political Science majors' coursework must include a minimum of three semester hours in four of the five subfields of political science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, Political Thought and Public Law, and Public Administration and Public Policy. The nine semester hours of electives allow students to explore new topics or concentrate their study within a particular area. Finally, the senior capstone (taken within the final 9 hours of the major) is intended to provide a culminating experience. All Political Science majors must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 300 level or above. Visit Major and Minor Requirements for additional details.
If I want to go to law school, is a political science major a good choice?
The political science major offers coursework that will assist in the development of the skill set needed to succeed in law school and provides course offerings under the subfield "Political Thought and Public Law" that might be of interest to someone on this path. Many graduates of the political science program have gone on to law school having learned how to read critically, think analytically, and write skillfully. Please check out Dr. Mann's Undergraduate prep for law school and Pre-law website for additional information about pursuing a career in law.
If I can't remember who my advisor is or if I want to change my advisor, how can I?
Send request (include your SID number) to Erin Blevins at blevinse@cofc.edu. If you would like to change your advisor, contact Erin Blevins to request this change as well.
Why is there a registration hold on my account?
To ensure that political science majors meet with their advisors prior to registering for the upcoming semester, registration holds are put in place. Advising meetings provide students with a valuable opportunity to discuss their progress in the major as well as study abroad opportunities, graduate and law school options, internship interests and career plans. Twice a year faculty set aside two weeks to advise students prior to pre-registration, however you may make an appointment to speak with your advisor any time you have questions.
Why am I unable to register for a political science course through Cougar Trail?
Several political science courses require the permission of the instructor, chair or require prerequisites that would prevent you from registering for a course on Cougar Trail. Here are some of the courses that have these types of restrictions: POLS 353, POLS 354, POLS 366, POLS 400, POLS 401, POLS 402, POLS 405, and POLS 499. Visit Course Descriptions for details.
How do I get an override into a full political science course?
The political science department does not offer overrides into full political science classes because of classroom space constraints. Students trying to get into a class are encouraged to watch enrollments during the Drop/ Add period to secure a seat in a class or to choose an alternate political science course that has availability.
If I am dropped from a political science class for non-payment, will the political science department put me back in the class?
No, you will need to register via Cougar Trail again as soon as possible if space is still available in the class. Re-registering will trigger a new bill which you should pay immediately.
Please note: for classes that require enrollment through the department (POLS 354, POLS 366, POLS 402 and POLS 405), you need to see the Chair. If you have been dropped more than once, you will need to provide the department chair with a receipt indicating that you have paid tuition before the Department Chair can put you back in the course.
Do I have to take these required major courses POLS 101,103/104,250 and 251 before taking other political science courses?
Political science faculty strongly encourage you to do so, although it is not absolutely required. For classes that do not have prerequisites you may elect to take other courses concurrently as you complete the required course series.
What do I have to do if I want to take a course at another institution or study abroad?
Coursework at another institution: Appropriate forms must be completed which are available at the College of Charleston Registrar's website.
Study abroad: You need to contact the Center for International Education. If interested in receiving credit for political science coursework taken abroad, you will need to provide a description of each proposed course and the "Coursework Elsewhere Form" (green sheet available in the Center for International Education) to the Associate Department Chair, Dr. John Creed for consideration. Please contact Dr. Curtis at 953-6510 or at curtisc@cofc.edu to schedule an appointment.
Can political science courses count toward humanities credit?
Political science is a social science; therefore, political science courses cannot count toward humanities credit.
How do I get in touch with the Charleston School of Law?
The Charleston School of Law is not affiliated with the Political Science program at the College of Charleston. To contact the Charleston School of Law please call 843-329-1000.
