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Four-Year GuidePS, Public Administration/Public Management ConcentrationBS272L2025-26Appalachian State University
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Government & Justice Studies
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This four year guide is a recommended semester-by semester plan of study for this major. All four year guides are meant to be an example of how a degree can be completed in four years. Individual plans will be developed for each student in consultation with their academic advisor. Prior credit, course availability, and student needs must be considered in developing the individual plan.
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Semester HoursCourse NameCredit HrMin GradeIn Major GPAImportant Notes
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Semester 1
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Semester Hrs:UCO 12003
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15Gen Ed Quantitative Literacy4STT 2820 meets Gen Ed & the required major Stats course.
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Gen Ed Science Inquiry 14
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Gen Ed Wellness Literacy1
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PS 11003X
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Semester 2
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Semester Hrs:RC 10003
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15Gen Ed Placeholder 13See General Education Requirements section below.
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STT 18103XIf STT 2820 already taken take free elective here.
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PS 21603X
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PS 21303X
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Semester 3
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Semester Hrs:RC 20013
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14Gen Ed Science Inquiry 24
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Gen Ed Wellness Literacy1
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Concentration Elective Course 13X15 hr total. Choose from list on POS.
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Minor Course 13A minor is required with this degree. Courses used in the minor may NOT also be used in the concentration electives.
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Semester 4
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Semester Hrs:Gen Ed Placeholder 23See General Education Requirements section below.
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15Political Science Elective3X
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Concentration Elective Course 23X15 hr total. Choose from list on POS. Consider taking a [WID] (see WID- Writing in the Discipline - Information below).
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Minor Course 23
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Minor Course 33
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Semester 5
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Semester Hrs:Gen Ed Placeholder 33See General Education Requirements section below.
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16PS/CJ 31154X
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Concentration Elective Course 33X
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Concentration Elective Course 43X
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Minor Course 43
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Semester 6
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Semester Hrs:Gen Ed Placeholder 43See General Education Requirements section below.
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15PA 45603X
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PA 46603X
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PA 46653X
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Minor Course 53
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Semester 7
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Semester Hrs:Gen Ed Placeholder 53See General Education Requirements section below.
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15Gen Ed Placeholder 63See General Education Requirements section below.
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Theory Course3XChoose from list on POS.
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Minor Course 63If needed for an 18 hour minor. Otherwise, free elective
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Minor Course 73If needed for an 21 hour minor. Otherwise, free elective
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Semester 8
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Semester Hrs:PS 48001X[CAP]
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15PS 49006XInternship. Additional Paperwork required.
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International & Comparative Course Choice3XSee POS for choices.
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[FAD] or Free Elective 3See [FAD] Foundations of American Democracy in the notes below.
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Free Elective2Take enough free electives to reach the minimum 120 hours required to earn a degree.
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Total Hours120Program of Study (POS)
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General Requirements Summary
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Minimum Total HoursGen Ed. HoursMajor GPAOverall GPAWriting
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120412.002.00RC 1000 and RC 2001
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General Education Requirements - 41 Semester Hours Total
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Program CategoriesHoursImportant Notes – Be sure to check for Gen Ed courses required in your major
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First Year Seminar3Can be taken first or second semester of freshman year.
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Wellness Literacy2
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Quantitative Literacy4
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First Year Writing3Can be taken first or second semester of freshman year
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Sophomore Writing3
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Humanity and Its Systems (HUM), Intercultural Literacy (ICL) and Sustainability & Climate Literacy (SCL)18Choose at least one course from each of the three categories. As part of those course choices, be sure to also choose at least one course for each of the 4 required designations [(FA), (LS), (HS), (SS)].
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Science Inquiry8It is possible to take up to 10 hours of Science Inquiry courses, depending upon your choice of science. 8 hours is the minimum requirement. If you take a 10 hour science sequence, you will have 2 fewer Free Elective hours needed to reach 120 total hours.
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Total:41
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You must also meet the Fine Arts, Literary Studies, Historical Studies, and the Social Science Designation requirements. Those should be met within the courses students choose for the SCL, HUM or ICL course requirements. The FAD (Foundations of American Democracy) course can be taken as part of General Education coursework, Major coursework or Minor coursework.
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Foundations of American Democracy
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The [FAD] requirement may be fulfilled with General Education Courses, Major Courses or Minor Courses. Which one is best for a student will depend upon their chosen major/minor. A list of courses that will fulfill this requirement can be found here: LINK to Foundations of American Democracy Information. The General Education Checksheet shows these courses with an American Flag icon.
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Additional Notes:
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Major GPA InformationMajor GPA calculation will include all courses taken in the Government & Justice Studies discipline, plus any other courses under Major Requirements.
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Additional Notes• May take extra courses from the concentration as Free Electives.
• A 6-hour internship is required for this degree. Please see the Program Director at the beginning of your senior year to
begin the process.
• Consult advisor regarding choices.
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WID (Writing in the Discipline) InformationYou must complete at least one 3-hour course with a Writing in the Discipline [WID] designation within the Major Requirements. Courses with the [WID] designation are P_S 3280, P_S 3320, P_S 3565, P_S 3370, P_S 3550, P_S 3555, P_S 3570, P_S 3600, P_S 4230, P_S 4723, P_S 4748, P_A 4665. [WID] All have PRE: R_C 2001.

The WID course can count in PS Electives under either the Public Management or TACCM track.
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Residency Requirements:
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30 hours overall must be from App State
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18 hours in the major must be from App State
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9 hours in the minor must be from App State
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Please consult with your advisor to ensure you will complete the appropriate number of free electives as needed to reach the 120 total hours required for your degree.
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