Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. If you have other questions or would like to set up an appointment with an advisor, please stop by the department office or call us at 360-650-3469.

Questions about Advising

The Political Science Department does not have faculty advisors, however Program Coordinator Jessie Tanksley is available to answer questions, help you plan your time in the major, and sign off on your major/minor evaluations. You can stop by the Political Science office in AH 415 during regular business hours or contact her at paynej9@wwu.edu or 360-650-3469.

If you have transfer credits upon entering Western, you should meet with an advisor to determine how the credits will be awarded. 

When you declare the major, you will meet with an advisor who will explain the requirements of the major to you. We also like to take some time to answer any questions you may have at this meeting. 

As you progress in the major, you may have questions about credits, field requirements, and schedule planning. You are welcome to set up an appointment at any time with the advisor to talk about where you are at in the major and make sure that you are on track to graduate. 

When you are ready to apply for graduation (generally 2 quarters before you intend to graduate), you will need to schedule a major evaluation appointment with your advisor. You will receive a signed major evaluation listing the courses that you have completed and courses that you still need to complete to satisfy the major requirements.

Questions about Transfer Credit

To check and see whether Political Science courses taken at a Community College - or public baccalaureate institution - in Washington will be accepted as transfer credit, please visit the Transfer Course Equivalency Guide.

Please bring a syllabus from the class, as well as any other work from the class that demonstrates the scope of material covered. Leave these materials with the advisor in the Political Science Department Office. Transfer class equivalencies will be reviewed by the Chair of the Department (sometimes opinions of other faculty are required) before credit is approved to be counted toward the major. The more information about the class that you can provide, the more likely you are to receive credit for it.

Questions about Introductory Courses

In order to finish the Political Science Major in a timely fashion, you should try, by the end of your sophomore year, to complete the prerequisites you will need for advanced courses in the four fields within the major. It is also advisable to take a course in methodology/analysis (PLSC 366) early in the program as these tools are helpful in other courses. The prerequisites are:

  • PLSC 250 American Politics and Public Policy
  • PLSC 261 Political Theory
  • PLSC 271 Intro to International Politics
  • PLSC 291 Intro to Comparative

Political Science 101 credit does count toward the major, but is not a required class. It does serve as a prerequisite to many upper division classes within the major.

Questions about Declaring the Major

  • PLSC 250 American Politics and Public Policy
  • PLSC 261 Political Theory
  • PLSC 271 Intro to International Politics
  • PLSC 291 Intro to Comparative Politics

Come to the Political Science Department Office, AH 415.  An advisor will review your academic history to confirm you have completed two of the core courses.  You will then complete the "Official Declaration and Change of Major Form".  This form is then sent to the Registrar's office for processing.

You can now also declare online by filling out a Major Declaration esign form.  Please, make sure to specify in the student comments section which concentration you are declaring to and route the form to politicalscience@wwu.edu for approval and completion.

You cannot declare until the grade is entered for the second core class.

Questions about Declaring the Minor

You can declare the Political Science Minor at any time. Come to the Political Science Department Office, AH 415.

You can now also declare online by filling out a Minor Declaration esign form.  Please, make sure the form is emailed to politicalscience@wwu.edu for approval and completion.

No. The major restriction is removed at the end of the day on the 4th day of Phase 1 registration. At that time, you can register for upper division Political Science classes.

Questions about Registration

All Western students are welcome to take any Political Science class that they have completed the prerequisites for. There is a major restriction on 300- and 400-level Political Science classes for the first four days of Phase 1 registration. After that time, you can register for upper division Political Science classes.

Program Coordinator Jessie Tanksley is available to answer your questions if you stop in to AH 415. You can reach her at 360-650-3469, or you can send an e-mail to paynej9@wwu.edu.

For Political Science classes that require instructor permission, you should e-mail the instructor prior to your registration time. The instructor is the only person who is able to give you an override to enter their class.

You should get on the wait list for the class and check your e-mail regularly for the wait list notification e-mail. The Registrar has more information about the wait list system.

Questions about Applying for Graduation

You should apply for graduation two quarters prior to your expected graduation quarter. For example, to graduate in Spring Quarter, you should apply in Fall Quarter.

Schedule a major evaluation with Student Advisor Erica Steele. You can stop by the department office and sign up in the Major Evaluations book or call to schedule an appointment at 360-650-3469. You will need signed evaluations from any other major/minor departments that you are affiliated with. After receiving your signed major evaluation, you will need to submit it along with your on-line Degree Application to the Registrars Office.

Nicole Miller (or department manager Erica Steele) completes and signs off on the evaluation form on behalf of Political Science majors and minors.  The Political Science Department uses its own Major Evaluation form (not the generic Western on-line Major Evaluation form).

More Questions?

If you have other questions or would like to set up an appointment with an advisor, please contact the department office at 360-650-3469.