Political Science Teacher’s Certificate

Faculty advisor: Dr. Peggy Kahn

The Teacher’s Certificate Program in Political Science is designed for students preparing to teach politics or government in a secondary school. For teaching certification, the State of Michigan Department of Education also requires a minor. A minor in another social science, such as history or economics, chosen in consultation with the advisor, is strongly recommended. Students may not complete both an interdisciplinary social studies major or minor and a political science major or minor for teaching.

Prerequisites. Completion of prerequisites for the General Program in Political Science BA . These are three introductory-level social sciences courses, taken in two different disciplines, including one of the following sequences: a two-semester introductory sequence in American History (HIS 220 , HIS 221 ), History of Western Civilization (HIS 210 , HIS 211 ) or Principles of Economics (ECN 201 , ECN 202 ).

Requirements. A minimum of 30 credit hours in political science, as follows:

1. POL 120 , POL 190 , POL 230  or POL 437 ; POL 311  or POL 312  (12 credits).
2. A course in comparative politics from: POL 340 , POL 342 , POL 343 , POL 344 , POL 345 , POL 351 , POL 359 . (3 credits).
3. At least two courses in American politics, one from each category:
   1. U.S. national institutions: POL 323 , POL 326 , POL 327 , POL 329 . (3 credits).
   2. U.S. political processes: POL 303 , POL 309 , POL 321 , POL 322 , POL 380 . (3 credits).
4. A course in political theory from: POL 222 , POL 261 , POL 360 , POL 361 , POL 365 , POL 401  (3 credits). POL 261 ,POL 361 , POL 401  highly recommended.
5. A course with a primary emphasis upon politics, society and racial-ethnic, class, and gender diversity: POL 304  or POL 331 . (3 credits).
6. Electives to complete a total of at least 30 credit hours in Political Science.
7. All requirements for Secondary Teacher Certification, to include EDS 343 .
8. All requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Bachelor of Arts  degree, including General Education Requirements  and a foreign language.

Prospective students should study the Department of Education section of this catalog, particularly the statements titled, “General Requirements for Teacher Certification ” and “Secondary Education Teacher’s Certificate Programs .”