Students may, if they wish, complete one or two emphasis areas while fulfilling the requirements for the B.A. or B.S. political science degree. The specific area requirements may assist you in finding courses of interest to you in pursuing your degree track.

How to apply

Complete the appropriate emphasis area application and submit the completed form to 341 SH or email a saved .pdf copy to polisci@uiowa.edu.

Fall 2016 and After Emphasis Area Application
For students who completed an emphasis area in the 2016 and After program.

Pre-Fall 2016 Emphasis Area Application
For students who completed an emphasis area in the pre-fall 2016 program.

Application process

Applications can be submitted early, but must be received at least one month in advance of your anticipated graduation date. The department will then verify the information provided after final semester grades are posted. Your request will be submitted to the Registrar for the area(s) selected for recognition on your final transcript.  You may contact the department if you need to make adjustments or add to an existing application.

Details: An emphasis area consists of four political science courses chosen from the approved lists noted below. The exception is American Political Practice which requires four courses (12 hours) plus at least three semester hours of government or campaign internship work (see below). Though some courses appear on more than one list, students may not count a course toward more than one emphasis area. Courses approved as repeatable may be taken more than once for credit and may be applied to an emphasis area more than once. POLI:4600 Honors Research Project, POLI:4601 Honors Senior Thesis, and POLI:4700 Independent Study may be applied toward an emphasis area, with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

*Students who complete an emphasis area and request recognition from the Department of Political Science will have this noted on their final transcript.(The notation will appear as follows on the transcript: Bachelor of Arts/Science Degree / Conferred (date) / Major-Political Science / Emphasis in — emphasis area is listed. This emphasis area will not be printed on your diploma.)

*Please note that effective fall 2016 the political science emphasis areas have changed. Students who entered the political science major prior to Fall 2016 may choose from the pre-fall 2016 emphasis areas or the fall 2016+ emphasis areas. All other students may select only from the fall 2016+ emphasis areas.

Political science majors may complete up to two emphasis areas. Some courses are approved for more than one area, but each individual course may only count toward one.