Sep 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Roadmap: B.A. in Political Science


The Department of Political Science and Public Administration also sponsors an undergraduate minor in Political Science. The department provides support for numerous programs on campus, including Social Sciences, Liberal Studies, International Studies, Latin American Studies, and Gender Studies. (See the appropriate sections of this catalog.)

The Public Service Internship program enables undergraduate and graduate students to gain practical experience in a professional setting. Students are assigned to administrative, legislative, legal, political, and not-for-profit agencies. Interns normally work 16-20 hours a week and receive academic credit through a special seminar or individual study.

This Roadmap is a recommended advising map to complete the degree program in four years. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

First Year

Fall Semester
Course
Units
PSCI 1201 American Government   3   
General Education Area A1 3
General Education Area B1 3
General Education Area C1 3
General Education Area E 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 15
Spring Semester
Course
Units
HIST 2600 Problems in U.S. History   3 
General Education Area A2 3
General Education Area C2 3
General Education Area C1 or C2 3
Elective 1
Total Units 13
Cumulative Total 28
  • HIST-2600 Problems in U.S. History satisfies General Education Area D1                                                                                  

 

Second Year

Fall Semester
Course
Units
MATH 1600 Statistics   4 
PSCI 2000 Introduction to Political Science   3 
General Education Area A3 3
Elective Units 6
Total Units 16
Cumulative Total 44
Spring Semester
Course
Units
PSCI 2030 Global Politics   3 
General Educaation Area B2 3
General Education Area F 3
GE Science Lab 1
Elective Units 6
Total Units 16
Cumulative Total 60
  • MATH-1600 Statistics is not required but strongly recommended, and satisfies General Education Area B4.                             
  • PSCI-2000 and PSCI-2030 satisfy G.E. Area D2
  • It is suggested that students complete both PSCI 2000 and PSCI 2030, but only one course is required.

 

Third Year

Fall Semester
Course
Units

Choose four of the following courses to complete “The Major” as indicated below and in the academic catalog:

12
Upper Division GE Course (UD-B, UD-C, UD-D) 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 75
Spring Semester
Course
Units

Choose three of the following courses to complete “The Major” as indicated below and in the academic catalog: 

9
Elective 3
Upper Division GE Course (UD-B, UD-C, UD-D) 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 90
  • Students must complete a Writing Proficiency (WP) course in the last two years of their program. Generally, PSCI 4230 is offered each fall semester and PSCI 3304 is offered each spring semester.
  • Students are required to complete two political theory courses. PSCI 3000 and PSCI 3011 fulfill this requirements. Students may complete other political theory courses as offered by the department and with consultation of their major advisor.
  • Complete Political Science Elective units as indicated:
    • 2 courses in American Politics (6-8 units)
    • 1 course in Comparative Politics (3-4 units)
    • 1 course in International Relations (3-4 units)
    • Political Science electives as approved by major adviser (11-16 units)
  • For a list of courses in these areas, visit the Political Science  academic catalog page.

 

Fourth Year

*Apply for Graduation

Fall Semester
Course
Units

Choose three of the following courses to complete “The Major” as indicated below and in the academic catalog:

9
Upper Division GE Course (UD-B, UD-C, UD-D) 3
Elective 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 105
Spring Semester
Course
Units

Choose three of the following courses to complete “The Major” as indicated below and in the academic catalog: 

9
Elective Units 6
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 120
  • Students must complete a Writing Proficiency (WP) course in the last two years of their program. Generally, PSCI 4230 is offered each fall semester and PSCI 3304 is offered each spring semester.

 

  • Students are required to complete either PSCI 3000 or PSCI 3011 as part of the Political Theory requirement. Students may take both of these to fulfill the requirement or one of these and a second political theory course. Generally, PSCI 3000 is offered each fall semester and PSCI 3011 is offered each spring semester.

 

  • Complete Political Science Requirement units as indicated:
    • 2 courses in Political Theory (6-7 units)
    • 2 courses in American Politics (6-8 units)
    • 1 course in Comparative Politics (3-4 units)
    • 1 course in International Relations (3-4 units)
    • Political Science electives as approved by major adviser (11-16 units)
  • Visit the Political Science   academic catalog page for a list of courses in the above areas.

 

 

  • For additional dates and details to apply for graduation, visit the Graduation Website.