CAS: Political Science

Sample Pathway

Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing a degree in political science. Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the political science department to plan their own pathway to a political science degree.

  Semester I Semester II
Freshman Year CGS Required Courses
CAS PO core course (100-level)*
Second Language (if needed)
CGS Required Courses (London or Boston-New England semester)
Sophomore Year CGS Required Courses
CAS PO core course (100-level)*
Second Language (if needed)
CGS Required Courses**
Second Language (if needed)
Junior Year CAS PO 200-level or above
CAS PO core course (100-level)*
Elective***
Second Language (if needed)
CAS PO 200-level or above
CAS PO 200-level or above
Elective***
Elective***
Senior Year CAS PO 505-598
CAS PO 200-level or above
CAS PO 200-level or above
Elective***
CAS PO 200-level or above
CAS PO 200-level or above
Elective***
Elective***

*Selected from: CAS PO 111, CAS PO 141, CAS PO 151, CAS PO 171, and CAS PO 191

**Political science majors who complete CGS SS 202 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher will be given credit for CGS SS 202 as a substitute for a PO upper level (PO2xx) course.

***Choose your electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements. You will find a list of all of the courses that carry Hub units on the University’s BU Hub website. External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit. Political science courses by Hub Unit can be found on the Political Science Department webpage.

College of General Studies Program Requirements

  • Two rhetoric courses: CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104
    • CGS RH 104 is taken during the London semester
  • Two natural science courses: CGS NS 201 and CGS NS 202
  • Three social science courses:
    • CGS SS 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
    • Students select at least two additional SS courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection
  • Three humanities courses:
    • CGS HU 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
    • Students select at least two additional HU courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection

Major Requirements

The major in political science is 11 courses.  Political Science majors are required to take three core courses at the 100-level and eight principal courses or seminars numbered 200-599 (one of which MUST be a seminar from 505-599-level). All courses for the major must be completed with a with a grade of ‘C’ or higher. For required courses, please see the CAS Bulletin.

Note: College of Arts & Sciences international relations courses (CAS IR XXX) do not fulfill major requirements in political science unless they are cross-listed with political science courses (CAS PO XXX).

For more information about the major, please see the Political Science Department webpage.

For specific issues and questions, please contact Brendan Fraser if your last name begins with A-K.

If your last name begins with L-Z, please contact Julia Martorell.

Continuation Requirements

  • Completion of the CGS required courses and appropriate electives
  • Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00

Graduation Requirements

Boston University students completing a degree in CAS must also complete the following requirements.  

This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.

It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.

Last revised: 05/08/2022