Program Description

Political Science as a social science discipline is the systematic analysis of political power. Informed by theory and the scientific method, political scientists examine a variety of social and political phenomena including but not limited to social and political behavior, public policy, and institutions. Major areas of specialization in the discipline include American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public policy, and political economy.

The value of a political science degree is recognized in both the public and private sectors as it demonstrates development of critical, analytical, and research skills demanded by higher education institutions and the labor market.

Learn more about the program on the Political Science website.

Associate Degree for Transfer

This program also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the Political Science AA-T listing.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students 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.
• Students 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.

Career Opportunities

A major in political science is excellent preparation for students who plan to enter the legal profession, government service, public office, business, the armed forces, and/or teaching. Graduate degrees are necessary for teaching at the college or university level and can prepare students for a variety of career options including but not limited to the foreign service.

Award Type(s)

• AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

• Major: 35

Additional Information

Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required¹ to complete the associate degree, including:

• Core and support courses for the major (35 units total)
• Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
  • Foothill College General Education
  • Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)²
  • Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)²
  • Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)³

¹

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

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.

³

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

Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.

Core and Support Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
POLI 1	POLITICAL SCIENCE: INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS	5
POLI 2	COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS	4
or POLI 2H	HONORS COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
POLI 3	INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY	5
or POLI 3H	HONORS INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY
POLI 15	INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/WORLD POLITICS	4
or POLI 15H	HONORS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/WORLD POLITICS
Support Courses
Select nine units from the following:		9
ECON 1A	PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
HIST 17A	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1815
or HIST 17B	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1812 TO 1914
or HIST 17C	HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1914 TO THE PRESENT
POLI 4	CALIFORNIA POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
POLI 9	INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
or POLI 9H	HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
or ECON 9	INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
or ECON 9H	HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
SOSC 20	CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES FOR A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY
And eight units from the following: 1		8
ECON 25	THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
or ECON 25H	HONORS THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
HIST 8	HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA
HIST 18	INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE EASTERN CIVILIZATION
HIST 20	HISTORY OF RUSSIA & THE SOVIET UNION
GIST 11	INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING
or GEOG 11	INTRODUCTION TO MAPPING & SPATIAL REASONING
SOC 15	LAW & SOCIETY
Total Units		35

¹

Students may also use courses listed in the first section of support courses to fulfill the requirement for the second section of support courses.