The Undergraduate Office manages course enrollments for all upper-division and two lower-division undergraduate courses in the School of Public and International Affairs.  This page explains policies and processes regarding courses.

Due to the popularity of both the political science and the international affairs majors, a rationalized system of course distribution exists for students.  This system is closely tied to academic advising in the School.

During early registration and regular registration, all upper-division POLS and INTL courses are restricted to students majoring in political science and/or international affairs.  The Undergraduate Office will not place non-SPIA majors in any upper-division POLS or INTL courses during this time. 

All upper-division POLS and INTL courses, as well as POLS 2000 “Intro to Political Science,” are restricted as “Permission of Department” until the day after the last day of finals of the preceding term (for example, the day after finals in spring term for fall courses).  Only students who are advised and return a course request form by the published deadline are considered for POD courses.  POD means that each seat in a course is assigned exclusively to an individual student and only that particular student may access that seat.  See below for a list of courses which are POD and POM along with their restrictions.

On Reading Day (in the spring term for fall courses and in the fall term for spring courses), we reclaim all unused or otherwise discarded PODs.  At a specified time the day after the last day of finals, we make these seats available as “Permission of Major” to appropriate students majoring in political science and international affairs.  POM seats may be added through OASIS by students with authorized majors.  Students should be aware of their listed official major before this date and check with their advisor for accuracy.  An “intended” major indicates a student has not completed entrance requirements for the major (INTL 1100 for international affairs and POLS 2000 for political science) and are not eligible to take upper-division courses. 

Students should also recognize how and if available classes apply toward their major requirements.  The UGA Bulletin lists major courses and to which requirements they may be applied (see political science and international affairs).  Students should also note that all pre- and co-requisites are strictly enforced.  See below for a list of courses with pre- and co-requisites.

Our primary goal is to assist political science and international affairs students in meeting their academic goals and degree requirements.  If at some point during registration it becomes clear that all students in the School have had every opportunity to access courses and seats remain unused, then other majors will be welcome to access these classes provided they meet all pre-requisites.

List of POD and POM Courses with Major Restrictions
List of Courses with Corresponding Pre- and Co-requisites