Overview

Students explore the U.S. judicial system, focusing on the Supreme Court’s operations and the influence of American political culture on policy. The curriculum covers federal and state constitutional law, national government powers, and federal-state dynamics. Students analyze key Supreme Court rulings, the evolution of the Bill of Rights, and laws related to church-state relations. Small classes examine the theory and philosophy of civilizations through a biblical lens, emphasizing God’s purpose for justice, law, and government. A semester-long internship in Washington, D.C., offers hands-on experience in government and networking opportunities.

• Trace the rise of judicial supremacy in the U.S. while examining the impact of local and international law on American human rights. Analyze key political cases in constitutional law.
• The Judicial System course guides students to explore the operations of the Supreme Court and assess the role of American political culture in shaping policy.
• Constitutional Law courses focus on both federal and state constitutional law, national government powers, and the dynamics between federal and state governments.
• Key Legal Analysis involves pivotal Supreme Court rulings, the evolution of the Bill of Rights, and the laws and cases surrounding church-state relations.
• Our teaching approach features small classes grounded in a biblical framework, emphasizing God’s purpose for justice, law, and government.
• Experiential learning includes a semester-long internship in Washington, D.C., providing hands-on experience in government and valuable networking opportunities.

Courses

Political Studies Core Courses (21 Units)

• POL326 Introduction to American Politics
• POL343 U.S. Constitutional History
• POL354 The Christian & Politics
• POL365 Western Political Philosophy I
• POL366 Western Political Philosophy II
• POL393 Introduction to Political Research
• POL492 Senior Seminar in Political Studies

Constitutional Law Emphasis Courses (42 Units)

• 3 Upper Division Political Studies Electives
• Four of the following
  • POL423 Law and Public Policy
  • POL424 The Judicial Process
  • POL435 Introduction to Constitutional Law
  • POL445 The Church as a Legal Institution
  • POL446 The Supreme Court & the Bill of Rights
  • POL466 The Federalist Papers

Graduation Requirements

Please refer to the degree checklist for complete details. This example checklist is from the 2025-26 academic catalog.

SCRIPTURE SET (21 units)*

• B101,2 Old Testament Survey I, II
• B121 Essentials of Christian Thought
• B201,2 New Testament Survey I, II
• BTH321,2 Christian Theology I, II

WORLDVIEW AND SKILLS SET (40 Units)**

• C100 Spoken Communication
• E110 English Composition
• ECN200 Essentials of Economics & Society
• H211,2 Essentials of World History I, II
• H230 Essentials of U.S. History
• Literature Elective
• Literature Survey
• LS150 Essentials of Biology (or GS150 Essentials of Geology) + Lab
• MA240 Critical Thinking & Quantitative Analysis
• MU190 Essentials of Music & Art
• P311 Essentials of Philosophy
• POL220 U.S. Government

**Depending on the student’s major, specific G.E. requirements allow for substitutions. 

*Students transferring with ≥ 61 total units may need to satisfy fewer than 7 Bible G.E. courses as evaluated and confirmed by the Registrar’s Office before starting the student’s first undergraduate semester. All other students must satisfy all 7 Bible G.E.

• Complete a minimum of 121 semester units of credit.
• Complete a minimum of 40 semester units in upper division courses. Includes 300 & 400 level courses.
• Satisfy all General Education requirements.
• Complete the required curriculum for the chosen major’s field(s) of study.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 (cumulative) in all TMU Courses. Some majors have different GPA requirements.
• Complete a minimum of 32 semester units at TMU, not including Directed Studies coursework.
• A maximum of 12 units can be transferred to complete degree requirements after the last 12 units taken at TMU.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Constitutional Law emphasis gives students an in-depth understanding of the American Constitution and court system.

1. Describe the evolution of judicial supremacy in the United States.
2. Succinctly contrast the extent to which principles of local, national, and international law have advanced or hindered the development of human rights within the United States.
3. Develop effective case briefs for selected constitutionally related political issues.

Political Studies Core Program Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the philosophies of the major political philosophers of Western civilization.
2. Articulate a biblical political philosophy and apply it to contemporary issues.
3. Trace the major events and individuals in the development of the U.S. Constitution and the history of key cases in its application to American jurisprudence.
4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the key works and theories that have shaped American politics.
5. Conduct effective undergraduate-level research using primary and secondary sources and technological resources relating to political studies.

Minor in Biblical Studies

To achieve the minor in Biblical Studies, students must complete 24 Bible Units.

• B101,2 Old Testament Survey I, II  (6)
• B121 Essentials of Christian Thought (3)
• B201,2 New Testament Survey I, II (3)
• BTH321,2 Christian Theology I, II (3)
• Bible Electives (3)