Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is the Political Science Department located?
We are located in Vari Hall 230 (across from the Schott Admissions Building), 408-554-4508. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How does the Political Science Department communicate with majors?
The Political Science Department communicates with majors via email. The Political Science Department Newsletter is emailed to Political Science majors and minors on Tuesdays. Newsletters include department announcements, internship and fellowship opportunities, and important deadlines.
Professors, advisor(s), and other departments also use email to communicate with students. Please check your SCU email regularly.
How do I declare or drop a political science major, minor, or emphasis?
Please complete an online Program Petition form available on the Registrar's website. You can submit multiple requests on the same form. Turnaround is typically 5-7 business days.
What is an emphasis?
Political science majors have the option to select an emphasis in public sector studies, international relations, or pre-law which will be noted on the student’s transcript. For more information, please review the Political Science Checklist for a list of required coursework.
I am considering adding a second (or third) major or a minor. Can you help me explore options and draft a two or four-year plan?
Several of our majors are double or, in rare cases, triple majors. With careful course planning, your faculty advisor can provide you with the proper guidance to help you map out a two or four-year plan. You can also schedule an appointment with Prof. Diana Morlang who teaches in our department and also works part-time in the Drahmann Advising Center (more info).
What is a peer advisor?
Peer advisors are fellow political science majors who work in our office and are available to answer questions regarding course scheduling, two or four-year plans, core or major requirements, Pathway/ELSJ requirements, internships, and extracurricular activities. These students are heavily involved on campus and are usually the first point of contact for any questions you may have. They are vested in your success and are happy to share advice on how to make the best of your time at SCU.
Peer advisors have completed internships and/or have participated in various programs such as the Washington Semester Program, the Leon Panetta Congressional Internship Program, and SCU's Study Abroad Program. They are also members of Pi Sigma Alpha (the national Political Science honor society) and Associated Student Government.
If you'd like to schedule an appointment with a peer advisor, please email our department manager or stop by our office.
Who is my faculty advisor?
Your faculty advisor is listed in Workday. Double and triple majors will have one faculty advisor per department.
Your faculty advisor will assist you with everything a peer advisor provides and can also provide guidance on internships, career exploration, graduate school, and law school. We highly recommend that you meet with your advisor within the first month of joining our department.
Can I request to change my faculty advisor?
Yes. Please forward an approval email from your new faculty advisor to our department manager.
What is mandatory advising?
In April and May each year, all first-years, sophomores, and juniors are required to complete mandatory advising. This requires an in-person meeting with 1) a POLI peer advisor and 2) your faculty advisor. Students who do not complete mandatory advising in the spring will not be permitted to register for fall classes. We will send an email the first week of spring quarter with details and sign-up information.
Double (and triple) majors are required to complete a mandatory advising session with each department. Each department handles mandatory advising differently. Please reach out to the other department(s) to ensure your advising holds are released before your fall registration appointment.
How do I track graduation requirements?
Your Academic Progress Report in Workday tracks your progress toward your degree and should be reviewed regularly after grades post each quarter. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact our office.
How do I petition to graduate?
Graduation Petition Forms are due to the Political Science Department at least 2-3 weeks prior to the Registrar's deadline to allow ample time for review. Review graduation deadline guidelines here.
What are the prerequisites for upper-division political science courses?
Upper-division political science courses vary in their prerequisites. Typically, an upper-division class will require the lower-division class of that same subfield to be taken beforehand. Please see the Undergraduate Bulletin for more information.
What is a Pathway?
Pathways supplement the Core Curriculum and prepare students for intelligent, responsible, and creative citizenship.
Pathways, clusters of courses with a common theme, promote integrative and intentional learning. More specifically, they cultivate the ability to make intentional and reflective educational choices, to study a theme from a number of disciplinary or methodological perspectives, and to perceive connections and relationships among ideas.
All students must declare a pathway by the end of their sophomore year. Most POLI majors select the following pathways:
- American Studies (ETHN double)
- Democracy (PHIL double)
- Public Policy (ECON)
- Law & Social Justice (pre-law emphasis).
If you have questions regarding Pathways, please check the SCU website or stop by our office to speak to a peer advisor.
Note: Transfer students must declare a Pathway by the end of their first year at SCU, however, we highly recommend that you declare earlier to take advantage of double dippers for core and major requirements. Students transferring with 44+ units are only required to complete 3 of 4 Pathways courses.
Do any political science courses fulfill Core Curriculum or Pathway requirements?
Yes. There are a number of political science courses that fulfill a Core Curriculum or Pathway requirement in addition to fulfilling a major requirement. These are known as "double dippers."
A list of POLI double dippers, can be found on this SCU Google drive (you must be logged in to your SCU Google account to access the file).
For a list of POLI courses that count towards a Pathway requirement, please visit the Provost's website.
Do you have any advice for transfer students?
In order to ensure a successful transition to SCU, we advise all transfer students to complete the following:
- Meet with our department chair or your faculty advisor to review the major requirements.
- Stop by our office (Vari 230) to meet with a peer advisor or our department manager who will provide you with resources on how to get involved on campus or learn about internship opportunities.
- Attend the quarterly socials hosted by SCU's Transfer Student Working Group. This is a great way to meet other transfer students on campus! Invites will be sent via email.
- Check your emails regularly and review your Academic Progress Report in Workday after grades post each quarter.
Does the Political Science Department provide internship and fellowship information for majors?
The Department of Political Science encourages students to work as interns during their time at Santa Clara University. Internships can provide valuable opportunities through which students can gain hands-on job experience, learn more about organizations and careers, develop useful skills and habits, and interact with leaders and members of the community. Political science students often intern for elected officials, government agencies, public law offices, and non-profit organizations.
We offer three options for those interested in receiving course credit for internship work:
- POLI 198A and POLI 198B (5 units)
- POLI 198EL (5 units)
- POLI 198 (2 units)
In addition to internships, there are also several fellowship opportunities for undergraduate students.
Here are some great campus resources and programs to help you find internship and fellowship opportunities:
- Political Science Department Internship and Fellowship page
- Poli Sci Newsletter - emailed to majors every week!
- Office of Student Fellowships
- Handshake
- College of Arts and Sciences REAL Program
- Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship (See Campus Ethics)
- Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education
- Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
- Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurrship
Does SCU have a Political Science Honors Program?
Eligible rising juniors and seniors can apply for the national political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha. Our department sends an invitation to apply in early spring.
Does the department offer pre-registration for majors? Can I pre-register for my senior seminar?
Rising seniors are eligible to pre-register for their senior seminar beginning in the spring term of their junior year for the following academic year.
How can I obtain a tentative list of courses for the academic year?
A list of the tentative course offerings for the current academic year can be found on this SCU Google drive (you must be logged in to your SCU Google account to access the file).
Please note, tentative course listings on the Registrar's website are not updated regularly. We strongly encourage you to use the department file linked above for the most up-to-date information.