About the Program

Enrollment in this combined pathway allows highly qualified SUNY Buffalo State students to work on a Juris Doctor (J.D.) at the University of Buffalo (UB) while completing their Political Science (Public Legal Studies concentration) Bachelor of Art (B.A.) degree at Buffalo State. Up to 30 credits of designated UB law school courses are incorporated into the bachelor’s degree program and will count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the J.D. The combined pathway allows students to complete their undergraduate education and their law degree training in six years of full-time study rather than the normally required seven years of study.

For more information, contact:

Patrick J. McGovern, PHD
Associate Professor
Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department
Cassety Hall 222
(716) 878-6203
gpp.buffalostate.edu

Admission Requirements

Students must contact the 3+3 Pathway Campus Coordinator via writing and announce their desire to join the program. Students provide a cover-letter highlighting their abilities to complete the program. Students may submit a letter of support from a faculty member. Students must enter no later than the second semester of their freshman year and must have a minimum 3.5 overall GPA.

Learning Outcomes

Program Student Learning Outcomes
1. Be able to select and critically evaluate existing literature in a given topic area of political science and demonstrate how the major historical schools of thought explain that topic.

2. Demonstrate the rudimentary skills to design and implement research to test scientific hypotheses and generate a scientific hypothesis in a given area of political science.

3. Be able to apply appropriate statistical techniques for a given research design.

4. Demonstrate the ability to apply valid conclusions based on topic area, literature review, theory, hypothesis, statistical analysis, and study outcomes.

5. Demonstrate mastery of research report writing.

6. and, Demonstrate global awareness and engagement skills.

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Program Requirements

Required Core Courses (27 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
PSC101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC102 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PHI103 INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC | 3 - Credit Hours
OR PHI107 INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL LOGIC | 3 - Credit Hours
PHI112 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC203 POLITICAL ANALYSIS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC204 POLITICAL STATISTICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC221 JUDICAL PROCESS AND POLITICS | 3 - Credit Hours
OR PSC250 INTRODUCTION TO LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC317 U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
OR PSC320 U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC485 MOCK TRIAL | 1 - 3 Credit Hours

Political Science Distribution Requirements (9 credit hours)
Choose one course from each of the following political science distribution categories

American Government and Politics (3 credit hours)
Choose one of the following courses

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
PSC223 LAW AND SOCIETY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC312 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC321 CIVIL PROCEDURE | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC420 CONTEMPORARY CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC421 DISCRIMINATION AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC488 INTERNSHIP | 1 - 15 Credit Hours

International Relations / Comparative Politics (3 credit hours)
Choose one of the following courses

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
PSC302 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC344 COMPARATIVE DEMOCRACY | 3 - Credit Hours

Political Theory and Philosophy (3 credit hours)
Choose one of the following courses

Complete ANY of the following Courses:
PHI301 JUSTICE: LIBERTY VS. EQUALITY | 3 - Credit Hours
PHI304 PHILOSOPHY OF LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PHI314 RIGHTS AND RESPECT | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC351 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT I | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC355 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC450 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 - Credit Hours

36 Total Program Credit Hours