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Political Science

Department of Political Science
(Faculty of Public Affairs)
B640 Loeb Bldg.
613-520-2777
carleton.ca/polisci


This section presents the requirements for the programs:

Co-operative Education Option is available in Political Science. Consult the Co-operative Education section of this Calendar.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must satisfy:

  1. the University regulations (see the Academic Regulations of the University in this Calendar),
  2. the Faculty regulations applying to all B.A. students including those relating to First-Year Seminars and Breadth requirements (see the Academic Regulations and Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in this Calendar).

Students should consult with the Department when selecting courses and planning their program.

Departmental Language Requirement

The Department requires Honours students to demonstrate proficiency in at least one language other than English, normally French. Honours students are required to demonstrate such proficiency, normally through the completion of any first-year course (or its approved equivalent) in a language offered at Carleton.

For students who consider that they already have proficiency in French, the Department conducts a French language examination twice a year, in November and February. Students whose high school transcript shows the primary language of instruction to be other than English may apply to have the examination requirement waived. For students who consider themselves proficient in a second language than French, arrangements may be made to examine the student in that language, depending on faculty resource availability. For students in the Canadian concentration, French must be used to satisfy the language requirement.

Categories of Courses

The following categories of Political Science courses are used in the program descriptions:

Canadian Government and Politics
PSCI 2001 [1.0], PSCI 2002, PSCI 2003, PSCI 3000, PSCI 3003, PSCI 3004, PSCI 3005, PSCI 3006, PSCI 3007, PSCI 3109, PSCI 3305, PSCI 3401, PSCI 3402, PSCI 3406, PSCI 3606, PSCI 3607, PSCI 4000 [1.0], PSCI 4002, PSCI 4003, PSCI 4006, PSCI 4008, PSCI 4009, PSCI 4106, PSCI 4107, PSCI 4108, PSCI 4109, PSCI 4205
Comparative Politics and International Relations
PSCI 2101, PSCI 2102, PSCI 2200, PSCI 2500, PSCI 2601, PSCI 2602, PSCI 3100, PSCI 3101, PSCI 3102, PSCI 3103, PSCI 3105, PSCI 3107, PSCI 3108, PSCI 3109, PSCI 3200, PSCI 3203, PSCI 3204, PSCI 3205, PSCI 3206, PSCI 3207, PSCI 3208, PSCI 3209, PSCI 3302, PSCI 3307, PSCI 3404, PSCI 3405, PSCI 3406, PSCI 3407, PSCI 3409, PSCI 3500, PSCI 3502, PSCI 3600, PSCI 3601, PSCI 3603, PSCI 3605, PSCI 3606, PSCI 3607, PSCI 3700, PSCI 3701, PSCI 3702, PSCI 3703, PSCI 3704, PSCI 3705, PSCI 3801, PSCI 3802, PSCI 3805, PSCI 4003, PSCI 4005, PSCI 4008, PSCI 4103, PSCI 4104, PSCI 4105, PSCI 4203, PSCI 4204, PSCI 4206, PSCI 4207, PSCI 4208, PSCI 4303, PSCI 4400, PSCI 4402, PSCI 4403, PSCI 4409, PSCI 4500, PSCI 4501, PSCI 4502, PSCI 4503, PSCI 4505, PSCI 4506, PSCI 4601, PSCI 4602, PSCI 4603, PSCI 4604, PSCI 4605, PSCI 4606, PSCI 4607, PSCI 4608, PSCI 4609, PSCI 4700, PSCI 4800, PSCI 4801, PSCI 4802, PSCI 4803, PSCI 4804, PSCI 4805, PSCI 4806, PSCI 4807, PSCI 4808, PSCI 4817
4000-level Seminar
All courses in the range PSCI 4000 [1.0] to PSCI 4809 [1.0]
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Program Requirements

Political Science
B.A. Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (9.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI at the 1000-level or FYSM 1602;
  2. 2.0 credits in PSCI 2300 [1.0], PSCI 2701 and PSCI 2702;
  3. 1.0 credit in Canadian Government and Politics;
  4. 1.0 credit in Comparative Politics and International Relations;
  5. 1.0 credit in PSCI 4908 [1.0] (with a grade of B- or better) or 4000-level seminars;
  6. 1.0 credit in a 4000-level seminar;
  7. 2.0 credits in PSCI at the 3000-level or above;
  1. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (11.0 credits):
  1. 8.0 credits in electives not in PSCI;
  2. 3.0 credits in free electives;
  1. Additional Requirements:
  1. Departmental language requirement must be met.
Notes
  1. At least 1.0 credit in 4000-level seminars must be completed at Carleton University.
  2. Item 5: candidates with fourth-year Honours standing in Political Science and a Major CGPA of 9.00 or better are strongly encouraged to present an Honours essay on some topic involving independent investigation (PSCI 4908 [1.0]); they may be examined orally on this essay and must receive a B- or better in this course. PSCI 4908 [1.0] must be taken at Carleton University. Any Honours student with a Major CGPA below 9.00 who wishes to present an Honours essay may do so with the agreement of a faculty supervisor and the permission of the Supervisor of Undergraduate Studies. Students who do not write an Honours essay are required to complete 1.0 replacement credit in Political Science in the form of one or more 4000-level seminars.
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Political Science
B.A. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Political Science Major CGPA (7.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit from PSCI at the 1000-level, or FYSM 1602;
  2. 2.0 credits in PSCI 2300 [1.0], PSCI 2701 and PSCI 2702;
  3. 2.0 credits in courses in Canadian Government and Politics and/or Comparative Politics and International Relations, of which at least 1.0 credit is at the 3000-level or above;
  4. 2.0 credits at the 4000-level which may be satisfied by either:
    1. 2.0 credits in 4000-level PSCI seminars, or
    2. PSCI 4908 [1.0] and 1.0 credit from 4000-level PSCI seminars.
  1. Additional Credit Requirements:
  1. The requirements as stated for Combined Honours in the other discipline must be met;
  2. 5.0 credits not in PSCI or the other discipline;
  3. Sufficient free electives credits to make a total of 20.0 credits for the program;
  1. Additional Requirements:
  1. Departmental language requirement must be met.

Note: at least 1.0 credit in 4000-level seminars must be completed at Carleton University.

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Journalism and Political Science
B.A. or B.J. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

Students who successfully complete the Combined Honours program in Journalism and Political Science graduate with a B.J. degree unless they complete the Honours Essay PSCI 4908 [1.0] in which case they may graduate with a B.A.

  1. Credits Included in the Political Science Major CGPA (7.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit from PSCI at the 1000-level, or FYSM 1602;
  2. 2.0 credits in PSCI 2300 [1.0], PSCI 2701 and PSCI 2702;
  3. 2.0 credits in courses in Canadian Government and Politics and/or Comparative Politics and International Relations, of which at least 1.0 credit is at the 3000-level or above;
  4. 2.0 credits at the 4000-level which may be satisfied by either:
    1. 2.0 credits in 4000-level PSCI seminars, or
    2. PSCI 4908 [1.0] and 1.0 credit from 4000-level PSCI seminars.
  1. Credits Included in the Journalism Major CGPA (8.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in JOUR 1000 [1.0];
  2. 6.0 credits in JOUR 2201 [1.0], JOUR 2205, JOUR 2501, JOUR 3205 [1.0], JOUR 3206 [1.0], JOUR 4000 [1.0], JOUR 4201 [1.0];
  3. 1.0 credit from JOUR 4204, JOUR 4205, JOUR 4206, JOUR 4207, JOUR 4208;
  1. Credits Not Included in Either Major (5.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in approved Canadian history: HIST 1300 [1.0], HIST 2303 [1.0], HIST 2304 [1.0] or HIST 2305 [1.0];
  2. 4.0 credits in free electives.
  1. Additional Requirements:
  1. Departmental language requirement in Political Science must be satisfied.

Note: students admitted to Journalism prior to 1995-1996 should consult the School of Journalism and Communication for requirements.

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Economics and Political Science
B.A. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Economics Major CGPA (8.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit from ECON 1000 [1.0] or FYSM 1003 [1.0];
  2. 5.5 credits in: ECON 1401, ECON 1402, ECON 2002, ECON 2003, ECON 2102, ECON 2103, ECON 2201, ECON 2202, ECON 2400, ECON 4020, ECON 4021;
  3. 1.5 credits in
    1. ECON 4706, ECON 4901 and ECON 4902, or
    2. 0.5 credit in ECON at the 4000-level and ECON 4908 [1.0];
  1. Credits Included in the Political Science Major CGPA (7.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI at the 1000-level, or FYSM 1602;
  2. 2.0 credits in PSCI 2300 [1.0], PSCI 2701 and PSCI 2702;
  3. 2.0 credits in courses in Canadian Government and Politics and/or Comparative Politics and International Relations, of which at least 1.0 credit is at the 3000-level or above;
  4. 2.0 credits at the 4000-level which may be satisfied by either:
    1. 2.0 credits in 4000-level PSCI seminars, or
    2. PSCI 4908 [1.0] and 1.0 credit from 4000-level PSCI seminars.
  1. Credits Not Included in Either Major CGPA (5.0 credits):
  1. 4.0 credits in electives not in ECON or PSCI;
  2. 1.0 credit free elective;
  1. Additional Requirements:
  1. The Political Science Departmental language requirement must be satisfied.
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Human Rights and Political Science
B.A. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

Students in this program are required to complete at least 7.0 credits in Political Science including:

  1. 1.0 credit from PSCI at the 1000-level, or FYSM 1602;
  2. 2.0 credits in PSCI 2300 [1.0], PSCI 2701 and PSCI 2702;
  3. 2.0 credits in courses in Canadian Government and Politics and/or Comparative Politics and International Relations, of which at least 1.0 credit is at the 3000-level or above;
  4. 2.0 credits at the 4000-level which may be satisfied by either:
    1. 2.0 credits in 4000-level PSCI seminars, or
    2. PSCI 4908 [1.0] and 1.0 credit from 4000-level PSCI seminars.
  5. Political Science Departmental Language Requirement must be satisfied.

Note: for Human Rights requirements, see the Human Rights Program section of this Calendar.

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Political Science and Sociology
B.A. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Political Science Major (7.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit from PSCI at the 1000-level, or FYSM 1602;
  2. 1.0 credit in PSCI 2300 [1.0];
  3. 2.0 credits in courses in Canadian Government and Politics and/or Comparative Politics and International Relations, of which at least 1.0 credit is at the 3000-level or above;
  4. 2.0 credits at the 4000-level which may be satisfied by either:
    1. 2.0 credits in 4000-level PSCI seminars, or
    2. PSCI 4908 [1.0] and 1.0 credit from 4000-level PSCI seminars;
  1. Credits Included in the Sociology Major CGPA (5.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit from (SOCI 1001 and SOCI 1002) or SOCI 1003 [1.0]
  2. 1.0 credit in SOCI 2005 [1.0];
  3. 2.0 credits in SOCI and/or ANTH at the 4000- or 5000-level;
  4. 1.0 credit in SOCI and/or ANTH beyond the 1000-level;
  1. Credits Included in the Political Science or Sociology Major CGPA (2.0 credits):
  1. 2.0 credits in a methodology sequence, either:
    1. (PSCI 2701 and PSCI 2702) and one of SOCI 2003 [1.0] or SOCI 3003 [1.0]; or
    2. One of SOCI 2003 [1.0] or SOCI 3003 [1.0] and (PSCI 4701 and PSCI 4702);
  1. Credits Not Included in Either Major CGPA (6.0 credits):
  1. 5.0 credits in electives not in PSCI or SOCI;
  2. 1.0 credit in free electives;
  1. Additional Requirements:
  1. The Political Science departmental language requirement must be satisfied.

Note: PSCI 4701 and PSCI 4702 may not be offered every year.

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Political Science
B.A. General (15.0 credits)

  1. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (6.0 credits):
  1. 1.0 credit from PSCI at the 1000-level, or FYSM 1602;
  2. 1.0 credit from PSCI 2300 [1.0] or (PSCI 2701 and PSCI 2702);
  3. 2.0 credits in PSCI at the 2000-level or above;
  4. 2.0 credits in PSCI at the 3000-level or above. B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (9.0 credits):
  5. 7.0 credits not in PSCI;
  6. 2.0 credits in free electives.
Notes
  1. First-year students intending to enter a B.A. General or Honours program in Political Science may take a 2000-level course concurrently with a first-year credit in Political Science.
  2. B.A. General students should take a number of courses in related disciplines. Final-year B.A. General students with the required standing may, with permission, be admitted to 4000-level Honours courses, provided space is available. The entire program must be approved by the Department.
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Concentrations

The concentrations described below are open to all students in Political Science Honours, Combined Honours or General programs. The maximum number of Political Science credits that can be counted towards the degree is 12.0 credits for an Honours program, 8.0 for a General program and 9.0 for a Combined Honours program. Concentrations are open to students in the General program in Political Science though it may be difficult to meet the requirements of the Concentrations within the 15.0 credits required for the General degree, so that courses extra to the primary degree may have to be taken.

Concentration in Canadian Politics

  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI 2001 [1.0] or (PSCI 2002 and PSCI 2003);
  2. 2.5 credits in Canadian politics, including at least 0.5 credit at the 4000-level for students in honours or combined honours programs, chosen from: PSCI 3000, PSCI 3003, PSCI 3004, PSCI 3005, PSCI 3006, PSCI 3007, PSCI 3109, PSCI 3305, PSCI 3401, PSCI 3402, PSCI 3406, PSCI 3407, PSCI 3606, PSCI 3607, PSCI 4000 [1.0], PSCI 4002, PSCI 4003, PSCI 4005, PSCI 4006, PSCI 4008, PSCI 4009, PSCI 4106, PSCI 4107, PSCI 4108, PSCI 4109, PSCI 4205, PSCI 4206, PSCI 4506, PSCI 4607, PSCI 4908 [1.0] (with Departmental approval, for qualified Honours students on an accepted Canadian Politics theme).
  3. French must be used to satisfy the Departmental language requirement.

Concentration in Comparative Politics and Area Studies (Global North)

  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI 2101 and PSCI 2102;
  2. 2.5 credits in Comparative Politics and Area Studies (Global North), including at least 0.5 credit at the 4000-level, for students in honours or combined honours programs, chosen from: PSCI 2200, PSCI 3108, PSCI 3109, PSCI 3200, PSCI 3206, PSCI 3207, PSCI 3208, PSCI 3209, PSCI 3404, PSCI 3405, PSCI 3406, PSCI 3407, PSCI 3409, PSCI 3500, PSCI 3703, PSCI 3704, PSCI 3705, PSCI 3801, PSCI 3805, PSCI 4003, PSCI 4103, PSCI 4204, PSCI 4206, PSCI 4208, PSCI 4303, PSCI 4402, PSCI 4403, PSCI 4500, PSCI 4501, PSCI 4502, PSCI 4505, PSCI 4506, PSCI 4601, PSCI 4606, PSCI 4607, PSCI 4608, PSCI 4609, PSCI 4807, PSCI 4908 [1.0] (with Departmental approval, for qualified Honours students on an accepted Comparative Politics (Global North) theme).

Concentration in Comparative Politics and Area Studies (Global South)

  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI 2101 and PSCI 2102;
  2. 2.5 credits in Comparative Politics and Area Studies (Global South), including at least 0.5 credit at the 4000-level, for students in honours or combined honours programs, chosen from: PSCI 3100, PSCI 3101, PSCI 3102, PSCI 3103, PSCI 3105, PSCI 3203, PSCI 3204, PSCI 3205, PSCI 3302, PSCI 3404, PSCI 3502, PSCI 3700, PSCI 3701, PSCI 3805, PSCI 4104, PSCI 4105, PSCI 4203, PSCI 4207, PSCI 4302, PSCI 4303, PSCI 4409, PSCI 4503, PSCI 4505, PSCI 4802, PSCI 4803, PSCI 4804, PSCI 4807, PSCI 4908  [1.0] (with Departmental approval, for qualified Honours students on an accepted Comparative Politics and Area Studies (Global South) theme).

Concentration in Gender and Politics

  1. 0.5 credit in PSCI 2500;
  2. 1.5 credits in Gender and Politics core courses, including at least 0.5 credit at the 4000-level for students in honours or combined honours, chosen from: PSCI 3303, PSCI 3500, PSCI 3502, PSCI 4402, PSCI 4500, PSCI 4403, PSCI 4501, PSCI 4506, PSCI 4605, PSCI 4908 [1.0] (with Departmental approval, for qualified Honours students on an accepted Gender and Politics theme);
  3. 1.5 credits in Gender and Politics core and related courses, chosen from the list in Item 2 above, or the following: PSCI 3006, PSCI 3108, PSCI 3109, PSCI 3307, PSCI 4205.

Concentration in International Relations

  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI 2601 and PSCI 2602;
  2. 2.5 credits in International Relations, including at least 0.5 credit at the 4000-level, for students in honours or combined honours programs, chosen from: PSCI 3101, PSCI 3105, PSCI 3107, PSCI 3207, PSCI 3307, PSCI 3600, PSCI 3601, PSCI 3603, PSCI 3605, PSCI 3606, PSCI 3607, PSCI 3702, PSCI 3703, PSCI 3801, PSCI 3802, PSCI 4303, PSCI 4500, PSCI 4601, PSCI 4602, PSCI 4603, PSCI 4604, PSCI 4605, PSCI 4606, PSCI 4607, PSCI 4608, PSCI 4609, PSCI 4700, PSCI 4800, PSCI 4801, PSCI 4802, PSCI 4803, PSCI 4804, PSCI 4805, PSCI 4806, PSCI 4807, PSCI 4808, PSCI 4817, PSCI 4908 [1.0] (with Departmental approval, for qualified Honours students on an accepted International Relations theme).

Concentration in North American Politics

  1. 0.5 credit in PSCI 1003;
  2. 0.5 credit chosen from PSCI 3109, PSCI 3607, PSCI 4206, PSCI 4403, PSCI 4506, PSCI 4607, PSCI 4905, PSCI 4906;
  3. 1.0 credit in United States politics: PSCI  2200, plus 0.5 credit chosen from PSCI 3108, PSCI 3109, PSCI 3200, PSCI 3210, PSCI 3406, PSCI 3407, PSCI 4003, PSCI 4606;
  4. 1.0 credit in Canadian politics: PSCI 2002 or PSCI 2003, plus 0.5 credit chosen from PSCI 3000, PSCI 3003, PSCI 3004, PSCI 3005, PSCI 3006, PSCI 3007, PSCI 3108, PSCI 3109, PSCI 3305, PSCI 3401, PSCI 3402, PSCI 3406, PSCI 3407, PSCI 3606, PSCI 4002, PSCI 4003, PSCI 4005, PSCI 4006, PSCI 4008, PSCI 4009, PSCI 4107, PSCI 4108, PSCI 4109, PSCI 4205;
  5. 0.5 credit in Mexican politics: PSCI 3205;
  6. For students in honours or combined honours programs, at least 0.5 credit must be at the 4000-level. With Departmental approval, qualified Honours students may substitute PSCI 4908 [1.0], on an accepted North American politics theme, for two elective courses chosen from Items 2, 3 or 4.

Concentration in Political Theory

  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI 2300 [1.0];
  2. 2.5 credits in Political Theory, including at least 0.5 credit at the 4000-level for students in honours or combined honours, chosen from: PSCI 3300, PSCI 3302, PSCI 3303, PSCI 3305, PSCI 3307, PSCI 3308, PSCI 3309, PSCI 3311, PSCI 3709, PSCI 4302, PSCI 4303, PSCI 4305 [1.0], PSCI 4308, PSCI 4309, PSCI 4310 [1.0], PSCI 4908 [1.0] (with Departmental approval, for qualified Honours students on an accepted Political Theory theme).

Concentration in Public Affairs and Policy Analysis

  1. 0.5 credit in PSCI 2401;
  2. 3.0 credits in Public Affairs and Policy Analysis, including at least 0.5 credit at the 4000-level, for students in honours and combined honours programs, chosen from: PSCI 3401, PSCI 3402, PSCI 3404, PSCI 3405, PSCI 3406, PSCI 3407, PSCI 3409, PSCI 3801, PSCI 4000, PSCI 4002, PSCI 4003, PSCI 4008, PSCI 4107, PSCI 4204, PSCI 4400, PSCI 4402, PSCI 4403, PSCI 4407, PSCI 4408, PSCI 4409, PSCI 4506, PSCI 4602, PSCI 4701, PSCI 4702, PSCI 4808, PSCI 4908 [1.0] (with Departmental approval, for qualified Honours students on an accepted Public Affairs and Policy Analysis theme).
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Minor in Political Science

The Minor in Political Science is not available to students enrolled in the B.A. Honours programs in Global Politics.

Requirements:
  1. 1.0 credit in PSCI at the 1000-level, or FYSM 1602;
  2. 1.0 credit in PSCI at the 2000-level;
  3. 1.0 credit in PSCI at the 2000-level or above;
  4. 1.0 credit in PSCI at the 3000-level or above;
  5. The remaining requirements of the major discipline(s) and degree must be satisfied.
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Mention : Français

Students who wish to qualify for the Mention : Français notation in Political Science may do so by taking the following pattern of courses in their degree program:

Requirements:
  1. 1.0 credit in the advanced study of the French language (a minimum of FREN 1100 [1.0]);
  2. 1.0 credit in FREN 2201 [1.0];
  3. One of PSCI 2001 [1.0] or PSCI 3900 (PSCI 2001 [1.0] is recommended);
  4. Honours students are required to take PSCI 4909 [1.0] or one of PSCI 2001 [1.0] or PSCI 3900 [1.0], whichever was not used to meet Item 3 above.

With the prior approval of the department, students may substitute appropriate courses taught in french at the University of Ottawa for Items 2 and 4 above.

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Carleton-Leeds Parliamentary Internship Exchange

The Carleton-Leeds Parliamentary Internship Exchange is open to fourth year Political Science honours or combined honours students. Admission to the exchange is restricted to three to five students annually, selected on the basis of academic merit. Successful completion of the exchange satisfies the requirements of the fourth year of the Honours program. Students serve four days a week as Parliamentary interns, in Ottawa during the fall term and in London, England, during the winter term. Additionally, students take courses offered by Carleton University (fall) and Leeds University (winter) on parliamentary politics in Canada and the United Kingdom. The normal 5.0-credit course load for participants in the exchange is:

    1. PSCI 4006 [0.5 credit], Legislatures and Representation in Canada
    2. PSCI 4903 [0.5 credit], British Parliamentary Politics
    3. PSCI 4904 [3.0 credits], Carleton-Leeds Parliamentary Internships
    4. PSCI 4908 [1.0 credit], Honours Research Essay

Full information on the exchange and application forms can be obtained from the Department of Political Science.

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Washington Center Internship Program

The Washington Center Internship Program is open to Honours or Combined Honours Political Science students in the third year or the first term of fourth year. Admission is open to students with at least a 9.5 GPA in Political Science. Successful completion of the program satisfies the requirements for one term of full-time study (2.5 credits). Students spend one term (fall, winter or summer) in Washington D.C. They serve four days a week as an intern in Washington D.C. and also take two seminar courses offered by faculty of The Washington Center. The normal 2.5 credit course load for participants in the programme is:

    1. PSCI 3905 [1.5 credits], Washington Center Internship
    2. PSCI 4905 [0.5 credit], Washington Center Seminar I
    3. PSCI 4906 [0.5 credit], Washington Center Seminar II

Full information on the program and application forms can be obtained from the Department of Political Science.

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