Politics (2022 - 2024)
Major in Politics
The major requires ten 4-point courses (40 points) in the department, chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser and completed with a grade of C or better (Pass/Fail does not count). At least two of these courses must be chosen from the department’s four designated core courses, both to be taken in the College:
- Political Theory (POL-UA 100)
- Power and Politics in America (POL-UA 300)
- Comparative Politics (POL-UA 500)
- International Politics (POL-UA 700)
Because the four core courses serve as prerequisites to many upper-level politics courses, majors are advised to take core courses early in their program of study.
In addition, at least one course must be taken in three of the department’s five fields:
- Political Theory
- American Government and Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Politics
- Analytical Politics
Although it is not required for the major, Introduction to Research Methods for Politics (POL-UA 850) is strongly recommended. Students are advised to take it before enrolling in other advanced courses in the major.
Policies Applying to the Major
No more than five courses (20 credits) can be accepted as transfer credit toward the major. NYU study away courses, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) and other advanced standing credit by examination, are treated as transfer credit for all students.
Students may count eight points (the equivalent of two courses) from Advanced Placement (Comparative and U.S.), International Baccalaureate (Global Politics), or Advanced (A) Level (Government and Politics) examinations towards the requirements of the major. Up to eight points from other advanced standing examinations may be accepted after consultation with the department. None of these credits can substitute for any specific course or requirement in the major (such as one of the core requirements); they simply count as generic POL-UA credit toward the major.
No more than three NYU study away courses (12 credits) may count toward the major.
Internships in Politics and Government I, II (POL-UA 970, 971) and Readings and Research (POL-UA 990) do not count toward the major.
Track in American Political Practice and Leadership
This track (open only to declared politics majors) offers students the opportunity to gain skills and experience in applied American politics via a study away semester at NYU’s site in Washington, D.C., while also acquiring the analytical understanding provided by American politics courses offered at NYU Washington Square.
The requirements for the track are:
- Power and Politics in America (POL-UA 300) at the Washington Square campus.
- A semester-long internship with a domestic policy focus (in government, politics, or a non-profit), plus Internship Seminar and Fieldwork (NODEP-UA 9982), both at the Washington, D.C. campus. These are the only internship credits allowed to count toward the politics major.
- Three upper-division courses in American politics. At least one must be taken at NYU Washington, D.C. and at least one at the Washington Square campus, and at least one must be in a sub-field related to the student’s internship.
The three upper-division courses must be chosen from the following lists:
- Courses at NYU Washington, D.C.:
- The Presidency (POL-UA 9310)
- American Constitution (POL-UA 9330)
- American Public Opinion and Pressure Groups (POL-UA 9342)
- Campaign Strategy and Media in Domestic and International Campaigns (POL-UA 9994)
- Identities in American Politics in the 21st Century (POL-UA 9994)
- Courses at NYU Washington Square:
- POL-UA 306, 310, 315, 330, 332, 333, 337, 341, 342, 344, 350, 354, 382
- Undergraduate Field Seminar: American Politics (POL-UA 395), with permission of the departmental adviser for this track.
Minor in Politics
The minor requires five 4-point courses (20 points) in the department, chosen in consultation with departmental advisers and completed with a grade of C or better. A minor program may reflect a special emphasis in one of the department’s five fields, or a subfield of the student’s choosing. No special emphasis on a particular subfield is required for the minor, nor is a choice of subfield reflected on a student’s academic record or transcript. Only NYU courses with a POL-UA number not also counted toward another major or minor can be counted toward the politics minor. At least three of the five courses for the minor must be taken at the Washington Square campus. As per CAS policy, no more than two courses of the five may be transfer courses.
Students may count four points (the equivalent of one course) from Advanced Placement (Comparative or U.S.), International Baccalaureate (Global Politics), or Advanced (A) Level (Government and Politics) examinations towards the requirements of the minor. Up to four points from other advanced standing examinations may be accepted after consultation with the department. None of these credits can substitute for any specific course or requirement in the department (such as one of the core requirements); they simply count as generic POL-UA credit toward the minor.
Honors Program
For admission to and completion of the department’s honors program, students must have a GPA of 3.65 both overall and in the politics major. The deadline for applying to the honors program is March 1 in spring of junior year. To be eligible for application students must have completed, or be currently enrolled in Introduction to Research Methods for Politics (POL-UA 850), as well as either Introduction to Macroeconomics (ECON-UA 1) or Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON-UA 2). Admitted students register for Senior Honors I (POL-UA 950, fall) to prepare a research proposal for their thesis, which they write in the spring while taking Senior Honors II (POL-UA 951). The thesis and its oral defense must be approved by both the instructor teaching Senior Honors II and the second reader of the thesis.
Preparation for Law School
Although law schools do not require any particular major or course of study, politics can be an especially useful field for students planning legal study and a career in law. Students interested in a course of study that prepares them for law school may wish to choose courses in consultation with the College’s Prelaw Program. For information about the program, please visit prelaw.cas.nyu.edu.
B.A./M.A. Program in Politics
The College of Arts and Science and the Graduate School of Arts and Science offer an accelerated dual-degree B.A./M.A. program in politics. Bachelor’s-master’s students who satisfy the track's undergraduate requirements receive a scholarship covering 50% of M.A. tuition and registration fees during the graduate school year. The GSAS requirement to take the GRE is also waived. This dual-degree program is open only CAS students majoring or minoring in politics or international relations. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 48 credits toward the B.A. but not more than 96 credits or six semesters, whichever comes first. Questions about eligibility for, or application to, the B.A./M.A. program should be directed to the CAS Advising Center (726 Broadway, 7th floor; 212-998-8130).