Advising

The best course of study combines planning with flexibility. When entering the political science program, undergraduate students should make an advising appointment with a department advisor. The department has prepared a packet of information for new majors, which is available at the main office, Thompson Building, Room 221.

An advisor is a valuable resource and can help plan a coherent and satisfying curriculum and can provide students with information on course offerings and opportunities within the department. All incoming freshman and sophomores should meet with an undergraduate advisor for initial advisement.

Course and program requirements

Ten courses are required for the major with at least one of the classes in each of the sub‐fields. PSC 101 is required for all political science majors. Six of the courses must be at the 300-level or above. Only six credits of internship courses may be used to fill the 10 course requirement. Selected courses in related disciplines such as anthropology, economics, history, philosophy, psychology, religion and sociology are desired.

Declaring a major/minor

Please review the liberal arts guidelines for declaring and changing a major or minor.

Undergraduate advising

Susanne Martin, Associate Professor

Email to arrange an appointment time and appointment format (Zoom, phone, email)
Virtual office via Zoom: MW 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
and by appointment
Email: susannemartin@unr.edu

Callum Ingram, Assistant Professor

Email to arrange an appointment time and appointment format (phone, email)
Virtual office via phone/email: 3 - 6 p.m. MW
and by appointment
Email: callumi@unr.edu

Horohito Norhatan, Graduate Assistant

Email to arrange an appointment time and appointment format (Zoom, phone, email)
Virtual office via Zoom: 2 - 5 p.m. WThF
and by appointment
Email: hnorhatan@unr.edu

College of Liberal Arts Student Center

Advising also available at the College of Liberal Arts Student Center.

Schedule advising appointment

Graduate student advising

Xiaoyu Pu, Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Studies

By appointment only
Email: xpu@unr.edu

Advisors in the College of Liberal Arts

There are two types of academic advisors in the College of Liberal Arts: College Advisors and Faculty Advisors. Both types of advisors can assist you with your academic progress in different ways and you are able to meet with both types of advisors.

College advisors

The College advisors, located in the College of Liberal Arts Student Center, are year-round professional staff members whose primary role is academic advisement. College advisors are able to assist all students with a major or minor in liberal arts programs.

A College advisor can be particularly helpful with advising for:

  • New students to the University (incoming freshmen/first-year students and new transfer students)
  • Students changing their major into the College of Liberal Arts from another College/School at the University
  • Questions regarding overall degree framework, including Silver Core Curriculum, foreign language, CLA breadth, or the minor requirements
  • Students on academic probation
  • Pre-graduation evaluations for students nearing the completion of their degree preparing to graduate
  • General advising or exploration of liberal arts majors and minors
  • When faculty advisors are not available (especially during winter or summer breaks)

First-year students generally meet with College advisors prior to their first semester at the University (at summer orientation) and throughout the first year.

Faculty advisors

Each academic department in the College of Liberal Arts has one or more faculty advisors. The faculty advisors are academic faculty members that advise specifically for their department’s major and minor programs. In addition to their roles as instructors and scholars, faculty advisors can serve as mentors to students as they progress through their degree.

It is best to consult with a faculty advisor for:

  • Questions about requirements or course substitutions in a major/minor program
  • Selecting specific major/minor classes to meet your academic or professional interests
  • Graduate and professional school planning
  • Exploring internship and career opportunities related to your program

Students are encouraged to meet with faculty advisors on a regular basis, especially after completing the first year of study.