Political Science –
Major, Minor and Pre-Law Program
Gain analytical, communication and decision making skills with our political science major, minor or pre-law program.
By studying the field of political science at Cedar Crest College, you will prepare yourself well for a wide array of exciting, vital and valuable careers—any of which will enable you to reach your fullest potential and to help shape the course of the future. Your studies in our political science department will provide you with the strong foundation of knowledge and skills you need to succeed.
As a political science student at Cedar Crest College, you will attain a deeper understanding of the relationship between law and justice. You will also develop important skills—such as critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and oral and written communication—that will serve you well in any future endeavor. Today’s employers increasingly seek individuals with such skills, especially in higher-level positions. Upon graduation, you will be able to analyze situations from numerous viewpoints and to articulate your thoughts to others.
For Political Science Majors and Minors
Our political science major and minor programs are both multidisciplinary programs of study that will expose you to diverse academic perspectives and disciplines, including:
- Criminal justice
- Economics
- Forensics
- History
- International affairs
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Sociology
- And more
In exploring a variety of subject areas, you will gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the relationship between law and other academic fields. Our political science major and minor adhere to the American Bar Association’s recommendations on undergraduate education by offering you a multidisciplinary program (see above).
Cedar Crest also offers a pre-law program that provides instruction on the law school admission process, while also educating you on the fundamentals of law and justice in Western societies. Successful completion of this program also satisfies the requirements for a minor in political science.
Several of our students have chosen to pursue a law degree after earning their bachelor’s degree in political science. All of the Cedar Crest political science graduates who have applied to law school were accepted by at least one institution.
Our graduates have attended a number of law schools across the country, including:
- Albany Law School
- American University
- Brooklyn Law School
- Penn State
- Temple
- University of North Carolina
- University of Pittsburgh
- Villanova
- Wake Forest
- Washington & Lee
- William & Mary
Course Requirements
Click on the boxes below to see the courses required to complete this major, minor or pre-law program.
Political Science Major
Total number of credits required by program: 39 credits
Foundational Courses – Complete all of the following (15 credits)
- PHI 200 Ethics
- PSC 202 Law and Justice
- PSC 207 Law and Women’s Rights
- PSC 218 Criminal Procedure & Constitutional Rights
- PSC 250 Modern Political Thought
Diversity & Justice – Select 2 from the following (6 credits)
- HIS 232 The African-American Freedom Struggle
- PSY 224 Women in the Workplace
- REL 227 Islam in America
- SWK 300 Community Organizing
Global Perspectives on Justice – Select 2 from the following (6 credits)
- ANT 310 Women in the Developing World
- ECO 222 Economic Geography
- PSC 211 Globalization and International Law
- SOC 222 Social Justice: A Global Perspective
Law & Order – Select 2 from the following (6 credits)
- CRJ 206 Class, Race, Gender and Crime
- CRJ 316 Crime and Public Policy
- PSC 300 Topics in Law and Public Policy
- PSY 309 Forensic Psychology
Law & Society – Select 2 from the following (6 credits)
- CST 234 Media, Law and Ethics
- ECO 201 Government, Business & Society
- PHI 320 Biomedical Ethics
- PSC 210 American Public Policy
Political Science Minor
Course Requirements: 18 credits
Foundational Courses – Complete both (6 credits)
- PHI 200 Ethics
- PSC 202 Law and Justice
Diversity & Justice – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- HIS 232 The African-American Freedom Struggle
- PSY 224 Women in the Workplace
- REL 227 Islam in America
- SWK 300 Community Organizing
Globalization & Justice – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- ANT 310 Women in the Developing World
- ECO 222 Economic Geography
- PSC 211 Globalization and International Law
- SOC 222 Social Justice: A Global Perspective
Law & Order – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- CRJ 206 Class, Race, Gender and Crime
- CRJ 316 Crime and Public Policy
- PSC 300 Topics in Law and Public Policy
- PSY 309 Forensic Psychology
Law & Society – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- CST 234 Media, Law and Ethics
- ECO 201 Government, Business & Society
- PHI 320 Biomedical Ethics
- PSC 210 American Public Policy
Pre-Law Program
Foundational Courses – Complete both (6 credits)
- PHI 200 Ethics
- PSC 202 Law and Justice
Diversity & Justice – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- HIS 232 The African-American Freedom Struggle
- PSY 224 Women in the Workplace
- REL 227 Islam in America
- SWK 300 Community Organizing
Globalization & Justice – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- ANT 310 Women in the Developing World
- ECO 222 Economic Geography
- PSC 211 Globalization and International Law
- SOC 222 Social Justice: A Global Perspective
Law & Order – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- CRJ 206 Class, Race, Gender and Crime
- CRJ 316 Crime and Public Policy
- PSC 300 Topics in Law and Public Policy
- PSY 309 Forensic Psychology
Law & Society – Select 1 from the following (3 credits)
- CST 234 Media, Law and Ethics
- ECO 201 Government, Business & Society
- PHI 320 Biomedical Ethics
- PSC 210 American Public Policy
Social Studies Co-Major with Secondary Education
- BIO 111 The Human Agenda: Environment
- ECO 101 Macroeconomics
- ECO 102 Microeconomics
- ECO 222 Economic Geography
- HIS 107 European Civilization I
- HIS 108 European Civilization II
- HIS 121 U.S. History to 1877
- HIS 122 U.S. History since 1877
- PSC 210 American Public Policy
- PSC 211 Globalization & Governance
- PSC 231 American Foreign Policy
- PSC 251 Modern Political Thought
Requirements for the Secondary Education Co-Major
- EDU 100 Perspectives on Middle Level and Secondary Education 3 credits
- EDU 102 Educational Psychology 3 credits
- EDU 150 Educational Planning 3 credits
- EDU 151 Field Experience I 1 credit
- EDU 207 Technology for Educators 3 credits (Biology, Chemistry and General Science majors are exempted)
- EDU 214 Adolescent Literacy 3 credits
- EDU 215 Field Experience II: Middle Level and Secondary 1 credit
- EDU 346 Curriculum, Assessment and Learning Experiences for Secondary Science and Mathematics 3 credits
or
EDU 347 Curriculum, Assessment and Learning Experiences for Secondary Social Studies 3 credits
or
EDU 348 Curriculum, Assessment and Learning Experiences for Secondary English 3 credits
or
EDU 349 Curriculum, Assessment and Learning Experiences for K-12 World Language 3 credits - EDU 350 Field Experience III: Secondary 1 credit
- EDU 351 Assessment I 3 credits
- EDU 352 Assessment II 3 credits
- EDU 359 Teaching the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students 3 credits
- SPE 243 The Exceptional Child 3 credits
- SPE 245 Field Experience IV 1 credit
- SPE 320 Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities 3 credits
- SPE 344 Adaptations, Modifications, and Assistive Technology for the Exceptional Child 3 credits
or
SPE 250 Subject Area Content Access for Students with Learning Disabilities 3 credits - EDU 373 Student Teaching: Secondary Schools 9 credits
- EDU 374 Professional Education Seminar 3 credits
Other Required Courses:
- MAT-XXX 3 credits
- MAT-XXX 3 credits
- WRI-100 3 credits
- ENG-XXX [ Any American or British Literature course] 3 credits
