Program Overview

Political Science Associate in Arts Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

• AA-T Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
  • Law, Public Policy, and Society | 60 units
  • Political Science | 60 units

Career Opportunities

A bachelor's degree in political science can lead to exciting careers in federal, state and local governments; law; business; international organizations; nonprofit associations and organizations; campaign management and polling; journalism; pre-Collegiate education; electoral politics; research and university and college teaching. Political science majors gain analytical skills, administrative competence and communication abilities that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential career areas.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

• Analyze social science concepts and theories.
• Evaluate diverse viewpoints related to the human experience.
• Produce evidence-based arguments.

Program Overview

Political science is the study of governments, public policies and political processes, systems, and political behavior. Political science subfields include political theory, political economy, policy studies and analysis, comparative politics, international relations, pre-law and a host of related fields. Political scientists use both humanistic and scientific perspectives and tools and a variety of methodological approaches to examine the process, systems, and political dynamics of all countries and regions of the world.

Requirements

AA Degree Requirements Major: Core and Selective Requirements

Complete Core Courses, 3 units:

• PLSC 210 | American Politics | 3 units

Selective Courses, choose a minimum of 15 units from the following:

List A, complete a minimum of 9 units from the following courses:

• MATH 200 | Elementary Probability and Statistics | 4 units
• PLSC 130 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 units
• PLSC 150 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 units
• PLSC 170 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 units

List B, complete a minimum of 6 units from the following courses:

• Any course from List A that has not already been used | 3 - 4 units
• COMM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 units
• ECON 100 | Principles of Macro Economics | 3 units
• GEOG 110 | Cultural Geography | 3 units
• HIST 201 | U.S. History through 1877 | 3 units
• PLSC 103 | Critical Thinking About World Politics | 3 units
• PLSC 310 | California State and Local Government | 3 units
• SOCI 141 | Ethnicity and Race in Society | 3 units

Total Required Major Units: 18

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.