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Department of Political Science
University of Mississippi

Departmental Distinction

Political Science Departmental Distinction Certificate Program

Purpose: The goal of the Departmental Distinction Certificate Program is to challenge and recognize excellent Political Science students both for their academic and academic-related work.

Eligibility: Students majoring in Political Science in their fifth semester (junior year) with a 3.2 overall GPA are eligible. The Department will contact all eligible students. Eligible students should complete an application.

Requirements: Students must fulfill grade point average, extra-curricular, and curricular requirements.

  • They must upon graduation have a 3.2 overall GPA.
  • They must be a member of Pi Sigma Alpha.
  • Complete one of the following:
    • Internship experience (POL 389)
    • Study Abroad or Study USA experience in Political Science
    • Mock Trial
    • Complete a POL course with a “Model Legislatures” simulation.
    • Another activity approved by the Chair.
      (The activity must be extra-curricular and related to political science.)
  • They must complete a senior seminar in last four semesters. The senior seminar courses are:
    • POL 401 – Senior Seminar in American Politics
    • POL 421 – Senior Seminar in Comparative Politics
    • POL 431 – Senior Seminar in International Politics
    • POL 490/491 – Directed Readings in Political Science (Honors Thesis)

Certification: Students will need to complete the Departmental Distinction Application and submit it to Dr. Skipworth to confirm completion of program requirements. Students receiving departmental distinction will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the semester for which the student is graduating.