Its education mission involves both general education and specialized training in specific disciplines. Political Science meets its statutory obligation to provide training in both the United States and Texas Constitutions through its two required survey courses for all graduates of state universities. Geography provides several courses as choices for the general education social science requirement. Both disciplines provide a well-balanced curriculum leading to baccalaureate degrees with requirements for a major, second major, or minor in those fields. Courses provided both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, the latter reflected in field assignments and internships.
Students experience a variety of teaching strategies and techniques for a highly qualified faculty.
There are many opportunities for faculty-student interactions both within and outside the classroom and through department organizations and activities. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development through research and scholarly activities such as publication in learned journals, presentation of papers at professional meetings, and pursuit of grants for research projects. These undertakings provide direct benefit to students as professors share their research findings in academic classrooms. Service to the university, profession, and community are important goals of the department. Participation allows faculty to take part in the governance of the university through the committee system and the Faculty Senate.