2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Combined Political Science, BA & Public Administration, MPA (PAD-MPA-PREG)

Program Description

The combined BA/MPA degree program allows students to earn a BA in Political Science and Master of Public Administration (MPA), with up to nine (9) semester credit hours of approved graduate courses at the 5000, 6000, or 7000 level to be double-counted and applied to both the BA and MPA degree requirements.

Admission Requirements

To participate in the combined-degree program, students must meet the following qualifications:

- Senior standing for the semester they start the combined-degree program.
- 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average on all undergraduate work
- Undergraduate advisor’s approval, and
- A recommendation from the Master of Public Administration (MPA) advisor to be accepted in the program

Admission Process

At the end of their junior year, students who wish to pursue a five-year combined BA/MPA degree should submit to the Graduate School an application for the combined degree program. Additionally, required documents include: (1) a WSU transcript; (2) A program of study approved by both the Political Science undergraduate advisor and MPA program director.

Political Science BA Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

apply analytical tools to analyze problems relevant to the public sector or the nonprofit sector.
use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate local, national, or global political, legal, or social issues.
communicate effectively in writing.
demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today’s global environment.

Political Science BA Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

apply analytical tools to analyze problems relevant to the public sector or the nonprofit sector.
use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate local, national, or global political, legal, or social issues.
communicate effectively in writing.
demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today’s global environment.

MPA Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Understand the fundamental knowledge, concepts, and principles associated with the discipline and profession of public administration
Develop awareness of the key institutional, political, and cultural factors that shape the field of public administration
Critically assess the range of theoretical perspectives which exist to understand the public and nonprofit management of the world’s problems
Communicate effectively in writing and speech to diverse audiences
Understand how to act ethically and responsibly in the field of public service

MPA Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Lead and manage in the public interest;
Participate in, and contribute to, the policy process;
Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment;
Articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective;
Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Required:

PLS 2000 - Power and Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 (IE) (IW)
Select an additional Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with a different course prefix (not PLS) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Major Requirements: 42 Credit Hours

Major Core Requirements: 6 Credit Hours

PLS 2120 - American National Government Credit Hour(s): 3 (IE)
PLS 2220 - International Politics Credit Hour(s): 3 OR
PLS 2510 - Comparative Nonwestern Social Systems Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI) (IW)

Major Area Requirements: 18 Credit Hours

Student are required to select six credit hours from each of the three areas listed below for a total of 18 credit hours.

Major Elective Requirement: 18 Credit Hours

Students are required to select 18 credit hours of upper-level PLS courses with a minimum of 3 hours at the 4000-level.

Law & Government Option

Students who want this focus may choose the Law and Government Option (6 hours, plus 12 hours of additional PLS electives).

American Institutions & Politics (3 hours)
PLS 3310 - Political Parties Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3350 - The American Presidency Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3370 - The Legislative Process Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3450 - Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4030 - Campaigns and Elections Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4300 - American Government Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4460 - Public Budgeting Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4820 - State Legislative Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4822 - Congressional District Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4823 - Campaign Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4824 - Local/City Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4825 - Washington, DC Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
Legal System & Perspective (3 hours)
PLS 3400 - Law and Society Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3410 - Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3430 - Civil Liberties II: Due Process Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3440 - Police Procedures and Operations Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3750 - Human Rights in United States Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4040 - Struggles for Civil Rights in America Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4150 - Law, Lawyers and the System Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4160 - Sex and the Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4170 - Appellate Politics and Moot Court Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4210 - American Constitutional Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4260 - Supreme Court in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4380 - Environmental Law and Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4390 - Bioethics and Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4410 - Natural Resources Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4420 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4440 - Topics in Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4480 - Gender Violence & American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4710 - International Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 4821 - Pre-Law Internship Credit Hour(s): 3

III. College Requirements: 18-22 Credit Hours

Foreign Language Requirement: 12-16 Credit Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one foreign language:

American Sign Language (ASL)*, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, or other foreign language.

*Note: all language classes above are 3 credit hours each, except for the ASL classes which are 4 credit hours each.

Methods of Inquiry: 6 Credit Hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. General Electives: 20-24 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Double-Counted Courses: Up to 9 Credit hours

ABS 7220 - Seminar on Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
ABS 7240 - Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 5800 - Special Topics in Anthropological Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 6030 - Urban Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 6100 - Special Topics in Cultural Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
GEO 6410 - Cartography Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 6430 - Geographic Information Science Principles Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 6440 - Advanced Geographic Information Applications Credit Hour(s): 4
MPA 6230 - Ethics and Leadership in Public Service Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 6340 - Fundraising and Grant Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7000 - Foundations and Tools of Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7010 - Public Budgeting and Fiscal Management Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7025 - Administrative Law Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7030 - Organization Theory and Management Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7040 - Managing Human Resources in Public Service Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7050 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5430 - Civil Liberties II Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5750 - Human Rights in USA Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6050 - Political Polarization in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6230 - American Public Policy Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6260 - Supreme Court in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6270 - Public Policy Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6420 - Criminal Justice Systems Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 7982 - Intelligence and Homeland Security Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5100 - Marriage and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5220 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5310 - Globalization and Social Change Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5700 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5710 - Comparative Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5720 - Policing in Society Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5730 - Sociology of Courts, Law and Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5740 - Penology and Corrections Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6310 - Urban Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6320 - Neighborhoods and Communities Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6640 - Gender and Sexuality: Global Issues Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6650 - Global Sexualities & Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6670 - Disability: Power, Politics, Privilege Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6700 - Explaining Crime: From Beccarria to Thornberry Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6710 - Victimology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6810 - Health of Vulnerable Populations Credit Hour(s): 3
WGS 6800 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 3

Graduate Program Requirements

Required Courses: 21 Credit hours

MPA 7000 - Foundations and Tools of Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7010 - Public Budgeting and Fiscal Management Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7025 - Administrative Law Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7030 - Organization Theory and Management Behavior Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7040 - Managing Human Resources in Public Service Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7050 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7060 - Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
may substitute for a core course.
MPA 7220 - MPA Directed Study Credit Hour(s): 3

Additional Requirements: 3-6 Credit hours

Student will select one of the following:

MPA 7070 - MPA Capstone Project Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7080 - MPA Applied Research Project Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 7090 - MPA Thesis Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
A minimum 3 hours is required for the thesis option. If 6 hours taken, one elective may be waived. Credits / Units: 3

Internship: 3 Credit hours

The internship may be waived for students working in service or who meet the Prior Learning Assessment requirement. If internship waived, an additional elective is required to meet the 12 hours minimum.

MPA 6950 - MPA Internship Credit Hour(s): 3

Electives: 9-12 Credit hours

Complete a minimum 9 credit hours from selected track. If internship waived, complete an additional 3 credit hours.

General Track

GEO 6410 - Cartography Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 6430 - Geographic Information Science Principles Credit Hour(s): 4
GEO 6440 - Advanced Geographic Information Applications Credit Hour(s): 4
MPA 6230 - Ethics and Leadership in Public Service Credit Hour(s): 3
MPA 6340 - Fundraising and Grant Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6050 - Political Polarization in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6230 - American Public Policy Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5310 - Globalization and Social Change Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6340 - Political Leadership Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6350 - Seminar - Political Corruption Credit Hour(s): 3

Criminal Justice Track

ABS 7220 - Seminar on Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5430 - Civil Liberties II Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5750 - Human Rights in USA Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6420 - Criminal Justice Systems Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 7982 - Intelligence and Homeland Security Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5220 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5700 - Criminology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5710 - Comparative Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5720 - Policing in Society Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5730 - Sociology of Courts, Law and Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5740 - Penology and Corrections Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6700 - Explaining Crime: From Beccarria to Thornberry Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6710 - Victimology Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6610 - Gender and Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6620 - Elite Crime Credit Hour(s): 3

Social Issues Track

ABS 7240 - Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 5800 - Special Topics in Anthropological Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 6030 - Urban Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 6100 - Special Topics in Cultural Anthropology Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5430 - Civil Liberties II Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 5750 - Human Rights in USA Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 6180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5100 - Marriage and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5310 - Globalization and Social Change Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 5620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6310 - Urban Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6320 - Neighborhoods and Communities Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6640 - Gender and Sexuality: Global Issues Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6650 - Global Sexualities & Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6670 - Disability: Power, Politics, Privilege Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 6810 - Health of Vulnerable Populations Credit Hour(s): 3
WGS 6800 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 3
ATH 5710 - Ethnographic Methods Credit Hour(s): 3

Total: 36 Credit hours

Total: 147 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Combined programs can be completed in five to six years. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.