Requirements

The Yale College Program of Study (YCPS) provides an authoritative description of the Department’s programs and requirements.  Requirements were updated in December, 2021 and an explanation of these changes and who they affect are explained here.

The two most popular versions of the major are the Standard major and the Interdisciplinary Concentration major (described below).

 

Standard Major

Interdisciplinary Concentration Major

Intensive Major
       

Requirements of the Major:

 12 term courses 12 term courses 15 term courses
       

Distribution of Courses:

 2 courses in each of 3 fields* 2 courses in each of 2 fields* plus 7 in field of concentration** 2 courses in each of 3 fields*
  2 Political Science Seminars (at least one in senior year) 2 Political Science Seminars (at least one in senior year) 2 Political Science Seminars (at least one in senior year) plus PLSC 474b
       

Substitution permitted:

 Up to 2 courses in other departments** Up to 3 courses in other departments** Up to 2 courses in other departments**
       

Specific Courses Required:

 None None PLSC 474b, PLSC 490a/493b
       

Senior Requirements:

 Senior Essay in a seminar, or in PLSC 480 a or b, or in PLSC 490a/491b Senior Essay in a seminar, or in PLSC 480 a or b, or in PLSC 490a/491b Senior essay in PLSC 490a/493b

*There are five fields: (1) American Government, (2) Comparative Government, (3) International Relations, (4) Analytical Political Theory, and (5) Political Philosophy.  
** Requires DUS approval.

Previously course listings:

Distinction

Distinction is awarded to majors who have earned grades of A or A– in three–quarters of the credits in the major and a grade of A or A– on the senior essay. All courses that are counted for the major are included in the calculation for distinction. Courses taken on a Credit/D/Fail basis are included as non–A grades.

Advising

All majors are expected to select a faculty member of the department as their adviser. Majors should identify an adviser as soon as possible after declaring their major. Advisers can discuss course offerings, discuss courses that would be of benefit for the student’s particular intellectual and research interests and ambitions, sign course schedules, and advise senior essays.

Selecting an adviser is largely up to the student. Most students ask a faculty member with whom they have taken one or more courses to advise them but it is not a requirement that a student take a course with a faculty member prior to making an appointment and discussing any questions the student may have about the major.

Students who are unsure who they might contact, either for advice about a specific issue or general advice about the major, can find information about the research and teaching interests of the faculty on the department’s Faculty Listing and List of Lecturers. Here are the most current faculty office hours. 

Students may, of course, also arrange to meet with the DUS to discuss questions or matters pertaining to courses and the major, including identifying a possible adviser. Visit this page to make an appointment with the DUS.