Academic Catalog

Political Science, AA-T

Program Description

Political Science as a social science is mainly concerned with the systematic analysis of governmental institutions and processes and the development of power. It fully analyzes the political behavior of human beings. Specific areas of specialization within the major include international relations, comparative government, political theory, political economy, public administration, and American politics.

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree prepares students for transfer to California State Universities (CSUs). Students who complete the Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree will be ensured preferential transfer status to CSUs for Political Science majors and majors in related disciplines. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree requirements will fulfill the lower division major requirements at many CSUs. Students are advised, however, to meet with a counselor to assess the course requirements for specific CSUs. This degree may also provide excellent preparation for other majors.

Learn more about the program on the Political Science website.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Graduates will be able to demonstrate critical, analytical, research, and writing skills in political science and its sub-fields using basic scientific tools underlying modern social science.
  • Graduates will be able to analyze the major theoretical formulations and concepts of political science and its sub-fields and the philosophical basis of those formulations.

Units Required

  • Major: 27-29

Associate Degree Requirements

Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer requires completion of a minimum of 90 units, including:

  • Core and support courses for the major (27-29 units)1
  • Summer Session 2025 onlyCSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)2 (49-58 units) (full certification is required)
  • Beginning Fall Quarter 2025California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)3 (45 units) (full certification is required)
  • Transferable electives necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement
1

Some units from the core and support courses may be used to satisfy the GE requirement. Please see a counselor for more information.

2

Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information. Important Note: Although it is possible to fulfill the requirements for the Associate Degree for Transfer by completing the IGETC for UC pattern, admission to CSU requires completion of an Oral Communication course (IGETC Area 1C; CSU GE Area A-1); therefore, students who plan to transfer to CSU should complete this course as part of their GE or elective units.

3

Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be completed with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses
Complete three courses from the following:13-14
POLITICAL SCIENCE: INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
HONORS COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY
HONORS INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/WORLD POLITICS
HONORS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/WORLD POLITICS
Support Courses
List A
Complete two courses from List A:8-10
Any course not used from the Core Courses
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
INTEGRATED STATISTICS II
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
or SOC 7
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
CALIFORNIA POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
List B
And complete one course from List B:4-5
Any course not used from the Core Courses or List A
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
HONORS CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
BUSINESS LAW I
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS
INTRODUCTION TO ETHNIC STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO LATINX STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION TO 800 CE
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION: 700-1800
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION 1789-PRESENT
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1815
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1812 TO 1914
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1914 TO THE PRESENT
SOCIAL WORK & HUMAN SERVICES
SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME
MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS
RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS
WOMEN IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Total Units27-29