The Political Science/International Relations programs at New Paltz are designed to be both academically sound and responsive to student desires for practical experience and career preparation. A wide range of courses is offered in American government, international relations, political theory, comparative politics, law and law-related fields. In addition to the regular offerings, a number of selected topics courses may be given to serve student and community interest in current domestic and international issues.We offer two majors -- one in Political Science and one in International Relations -- and minors in each of these disciplines, as well as a minor in Law and Politics.The department offers a variety of academic credit-bearing options outside of the traditional classroom. Semester-long, 15-credit internship opportunities are available in Washington, D.C. through the SUNY Washington Program (a 6-credit summer internship in D.C. is also available) and in Albany each spring through the New York State Legislative Internship Program.The department provides credit-bearing courses that enhance students' understanding of and engagement with the United Nations. We send 15 students to participate as an official delegation to the Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) each February in Cambridge, for which students earn three credits for their preparation for this simulation. We also offer a unique, 6-credit course each spring, the United Nations Semester, which combines traditional classroom study of international organizations with weekly trips to the United Nations for pre-arranged meetings with diplomats, policy makers and UN personnel. The newest of these courses with extracurricular features is the SUNY Model European Union (SUNYMEU) simulation, held each spring with participation by students from New York state colleges and from partner universities in Europe. In alternating years, this program meets at an international university.