Credits and costs
Enhance Your Penn State Degree
Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.
Gain Specialized Knowledge
Earning a minor enables you to complement your major, pursue a personal interest, or explore a different field of study.
A political science minor can provide you with an adaptable set of skills that are valued by employers — and help you establish a more flexible career path in a rapidly changing world. Penn State’s Department of Political Science is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most active centers for empirical research in a broad range of political science issues. The knowledge and skill that you gain can prepare you to work in a variety of fields, including but not limited to government, law, business, journalism, and the nonprofit sector.
The political science minor will introduce you to political processes and institutions through a selection of 18 credits, with at least one course in each of the following political science areas: American politics, theory/methodology, comparative politics, and international relations. Courses used to satisfy General Education, bachelor of arts degree requirements, electives, and major requirements may also be used to satisfy requirements for the minor.
In this program, you will have the opportunity to study with highly regarded faculty from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, one of the premier institutions in the world to study and work in the liberal arts disciplines.
This minor is open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites; it is most useful if you are majoring in law and society, criminal justice, or letters, arts, and sciences.
Courses
The 18 credits of course work include at least one course in four of the five political science areas:
- American politics
- political theory
- political methodology
- comparative politics
- international relations
Six of these 18 credits must be at the 400 level. A grade of "C" or better is required in all courses that you take to fulfill requirements for the minor.
Convenient and Flexible
Each course is taught using a blend of web technology, print, and other media to maximize flexibility while maintaining teacher and student interaction. As a Penn State World Campus student, you have the opportunity to learn when and where it's most convenient for you.
Required Courses (select 18 credits)
Students are required to choose at least one course from each course list: American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and theory/methodology.
American Politics
Political Theory
Political Methodology
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $626 per credit | $671 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,602 per semester | $8,206 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $632 per credit | $678 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,678 per semester | $8,288 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements, select “World Campus” as the location on the tuition site.
How to Apply
Admissions Help
Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admittance into the political science minor, you must:
- be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester and be in a bachelor's degree major
- maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
- the minor code and major code cannot match
Adding a Minor
If you have achieved fifth-semester standing (60 credits completed), you can apply for admission to the minor. To begin, please follow these steps:
- Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements.
- You can apply for the minor by adding it in LionPATH. You should do this as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
- You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Political Science Minor, offered in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs, please contact:
World Campus Advisers
Phone: 814-863-3283
Email: [email protected]