Frequently Asked Questions
This page has 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 contact Sarah.Hoag@wwu.edu or call the department office at 360-650-3469.
Jump to Questions About ...
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Advising
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Transfer Credit
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Introductory Courses
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Declaring the Major
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Declaring the Minor
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Registration
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Applying for Graduation
Questions about Advising
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Who is my Advisor?
The Advisor for the Political Science Department is Sarah Hoag. Sarah is available to answer questions, help you plan your time in the major, and sign off on your major evaluations. She can be reached at Sarah.Hoag@wwu.edu or 360-650-3469. You can sign up for major evaluations in the appointment book located on Sarah's desk in the Political Science Department Office, AH 415. The Department Manager, Joan Blackwell, is also available to help with any questions you may have about the major. She can be reached at Joan.Blackwell@wwu.edu or 360-650-3469.
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When should I meet with my Advisor?
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
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How can I find out if classes that I took at a Community College transfer to Western?
You can view our list of approved Community College Transfer Credit courses here. (See next question for more details)
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How can I get credit for Political Science classes that I took at another college that have no Western equivalent?
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
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What introductory courses should I take?
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 three 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 or PLSC 291 Intro to Comparative/Intro to International Politics
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
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What are the requirements for declaring the Political Science Major?
You are eligible to declare the Political Science Major and any majors combined with Political Science, if you have completed any three of the following courses with an average GPA of 2.7 or above (in the three courses):
- PLSC 250 American Politics and Public Policy
- PLSC 261 Political Theory
- PLSC 271 or PLSC 291 Intro to Comparative/Intro to International Politics
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How do I declare the Political Science Major?
Come to the Political Science Department Office, AH 415, with an unofficial academic history (print from Web4U) that shows the three completed courses from the list above. If you have transfer credits for Political Science courses bring an unofficial transcript showing these courses (this can also be printed from Web4U).
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What if I got a C in one of the core classes?
We look at the average GPA of the three core classes that you completed. Therefore, if you got a C, B-, B+, your average - rounded off - would be 2.7.
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What if I took the three core classes but my GPA is still too low to declare?
You have the option of taking the 4th core class. We only look at the GPA of the three highest graded core classes. You could also repeat a class that you have already taken.
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I have already taken two of the core classes, and am enrolled in the third, how soon can I declare?
You cannot declare until the grade is entered from the third core class.
Questions about Declaring the Minor
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How do I declare the Political Science Minor?
You can declare the Political Science Minor at any time. Come to the Political Science Department Office, AH 415.
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Does declaring the Political Science Minor get me around the Major Restriction during registration?
No. The major restriction is removed on the 5th day of registration, at approximately 5:00 p.m. At that time, you can register for upper division Political Science classes.
Questions about Registration
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How can I register for Political Science classes if I am not a Major?
All Western students are welcome to take any Political Science class that they have completed the prerequisites for. There is a major restriction on the upper division Political Science classes for the first five days of registration. After that time, you can register for the upper division Political Science classes.
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Who should I talk to about registration questions?
The Political Science Department Office staff are available to answer your questions if you stop in to AH 415. You can reach them at 360-650-3469, or you can e-mail Sarah Hoag or Joan Blackwell at sarah.hoag@wwu.edu or joan.blackwell@wwu.edu.
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How can I register for classes that require permission?
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.
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What if the class that I would like to register for is full?
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 on their website: http://www.wwu.edu/depts/registrar/registration_waitlisting.shtml.
Questions about Applying for Graduation
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When should I apply for graduation?
You should apply for graduation two quarters prior to your expected graduation quarter. (ex. to graduate in Spring Quarter, you should apply in Fall Quarter) -
How do I apply for graduation?
Schedule a major evaluation with Sarah Hoag in the Political Science Department Office. She can be reached at sarah.hoag@wwu.edu or 360-650-3469. There is also an appointment sign up book on Sarah's desk in the department office. 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 Degree Application to the Registrars Office. -
Who fills out my major evaluation?
Political Science Department Staff are qualified to fill out and sign off your major evaluation. Sarah Hoag is the Department Advisor who will most likely be filling out and signing your major evaluation.
If you have other questions or would like to set up an appointment with an advisor, please contact Sarah.Hoag@wwu.edu or call the department office at 360-650-3469.