Frequently Asked Questions

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 schedule an advising appointment,  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 a Political Science advisor to determine how the credits may be applied. 

When you are ready to declare the major, may want to 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 in the major and ensure that you are on track to graduate. 

When you are ready to apply for graduation (generally 2 quarters before you intend to graduate), you must request a major evaluation from your advisor. This can be completed by email or through a scheduled advising appointment. If you have courses left to complete the major, please include when you plan to register for those courses in your email request for your major evaluation.

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.

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.

You are eligible to declare the Political Science major, and any of the majors combined with Political Science, if you have completed any two of the following courses:

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

Major & Minor Declaration and Change Form - To be used for Political Science, Political Science/Social Studies Majors, and Political Science Minors Only

Students Interested in Political Science/Economics & Politics/Philosophy/Economics Majors should see the CBE Website

You can also come to the Political Science Department Office, AH 415 and an advisor will help you with your major/minor declaration.

On major/minor declaration form, please indicate the preferred major/minor in the comments section (Political Science, Political Science/Social Studies, Economics/Political Science, or Politics/Philosophy/Economics).

For both the Political Science and Political Science/Social Studies majors and the Political Science minor declarations, please route the form to politicalscience@wwu.edu for approval.

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

Major & Minor Declaration and Change Form - To be used for Political Science and Political Science/Social Studies Majors Only

Students Interested in Political Science/Economics & Politics/Philosophy/Economics Majors should see the CBE Website

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.

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.

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.

You can schedule a major evaluation with Student Advisor Jessie Tanksley to be completed via email or during an advising appointment. You can also stop by the department office and request a major evaluation be completed or call the office at 360-650-3469. Please be advised, you will need signed evaluations from any other major/minor departments that you are affiliated with. After receiving your signed major evaluation(s), you will need to complete and submit your Degree Application to the Registrar's Office.

Jessie Tanksley (or Department Manager Erica Steele) completes a note in DegreeWorks that serves as your major/minor evaluation on behalf of Political Science majors and minors.