Political Science Minor

Course Requirements

The minor in political science consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours, as follows:

Courses

two courses from:

Premedical, Predental , and Preoptometry Advisor

Elaine Magyar

Preveterinary Advisor

Edythe Anthony

To qualify for admission to dental, medical, optometry, or veterinary school, students must present a strong liberal arts background, show competency in writing, competency in their chosen academic majors, and demonstrate some knowledge of work in the laboratory sciences. Although neither a specific major nor a specific program of study is required for application, a biology or chemistry major will provide excellent preparation. In addition, most schools require the results of the student’s performance on standardized tests of verbal and quantitative analytical abilities, knowledge in certain content areas, and analytical and critical thinking.

Beginning in the freshman year, students interested in dental, medical, optometry, or veterinary school should consult with the appropriate preprofessional advisor concerning a plan of study and application procedures to a professional school. Since individual schools have specific course requirements, it is essential to consult with the advisor early in the program of study. Students should also supplement their majors with the following courses: BIOL 111, 112; CHEM 103, 104, 205, 206, 310; PHYS 101, 102; and two or three courses in advanced biology, chosen in consultation with the appropriate advisor. Premedical students should also take PSYC 110 and SOC 200 in preparation for the MCAT. It is strongly recommended that students take mathematics sequences through calculus as well as intermediate or advanced courses in modern foreign languages.

Each year the faculty is able to nominate several students who are Rhode Island residents as candidates for the Early Identification Program of the Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Students who are accepted into this competitive program and succcessfully complete their undergraduate coursework at Rhode Island College can be accepted into Brown’s medical school upon graduation. Complete details are available from the premedical advisor.

Prelaw Advisor

John Perrotta

Rhode Island College is comparable with other baccalaureate degree-granting institutions as an appropriate environment for a prelegal education. The college offers a range of experiences that help prepare students for entrance into law school.

No specific major or curriculum is required or recommended by law schools as a prerequisite for admission. One can major in any of a dozen or more possible fields and go on to law school with equal facility. Accordingly, the selection of liberal arts courses that familiarize prelaw students with society, history, philosophy, and government is as important as the choice of a major. Success in and contribution to some fields of law also increasingly require preparation in such areas as accounting, communication, and computer science.

A primary criterion for admission to law school is performance on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). All law schools require applicants to submit their LSAT scores. The LSAT is both “. . . a standardized test designed to . . . measure . . . an examinee’s ability to handle new situations and problems” and an examination requiring the writing of an impromptu essay on a controversial topic or situation. The former is scored in competition with all other applicants taking the LSAT on a given date around the country. The essay is scored and used by the admissions committees of individual law schools as they see fit. (See Law School Admission Services’ LSAT/LSDAS Registration Information Book.)

The LSAT examination is given four times a year at test sites throughout Rhode Island and the nation. Students who wish to apply to enter law school in the month of September, especially if they are going to seek financial support, should take the LSAT in October or December of the preceding year.

Law schools assess a student’s undergraduate record on a 4.00 index scale, excluding grades in physical education, ROTC, and applied courses in art and music. The law school applicant should demonstrate a strong grade point average both in their major and overall course work.

Early in their undergraduate programs, those interested in law school should discuss with the college’s prelaw advisor the particulars of taking the LSAT as well as the procedures and strategies for filling out the law school application.

Department of Psychology

Department Chair: Randi Kim

Department Faculty: Professors Agatstein, Fingeret, Goldfield, Lounsbury, Malloy, Marco, Montvilo, Rollins, Sugarman, Tropper; Associate Professors Kim, Ladd, Laupa, Lewis, Simson, White; Assistant Professors Cook, Threlkeld

Students must consult with their assigned advisor before they will be able to register for courses. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the psychology major is required to graduate.