Political Science, A.A-T

An Associate in Arts degree in Political Science for Transfer will fulfill the requirements for students to transfer to a four-year college or university as a Political Science major.

AA.PS.OPTBAAT or AA.PS.OPTCAAT

Design Your Future!

Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities.  Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.    

  • Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.   
  • Are you a part-time student?  Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.

CSU: General Education Option B

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition (formerly Freshman Composition) 4
MATH-140
Introduction to Statistics
or Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
3
ART-100
Art Appreciation
or Introduction and Appreciation of Music
3
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
 Units16
Spring Semester 1
ENGL-103
Critical Thinking and Writing
or Critical Thinking and Composition
3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
LIT-106 Introduction to Literature (formerly ENGL-106) 3
PS/ETHS-103 Ethnic Politics in America 3
 Units15
Fall Semester 2
PS-105 Introduction to Political Theory 3
PS-102 Comparative Politics and Government 3
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
PHIL-101
Introduction to Philosophy I
or Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument)
3
HIST-101 Western Civilization to 1650 (formerly Western Civilization I: to 1500) 3
ENVS-102 Environmental Science Laboratory 1
 Units16
Spring Semester 2
PS-120 California Government 3
PS-106 Introduction to International Relations 3
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
 Units13
 Total Units60

Language Requirement: Some CSU's require the equivalency of an intermediate language proficiency for graduation. Please see a counselor for more detail regarding specific CSU major and graduation requirements. 

CSUSM: General Education Option B

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition (formerly Freshman Composition) 4
MATH-140
Introduction to Statistics
or Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
3
ART-100
Art Appreciation
or Introduction and Appreciation of Music
3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
 Units16
Spring Semester 1
PHIL-112 Critical Thinking and Composition 3
PSYC-101 Introduction to Psychology 3
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
PS-102 Comparative Politics and Government 3
PS-105 Introduction to Political Theory 3
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
ENVS-102 Environmental Science Laboratory 1
SPAN-102
Elementary Spanish II
or Elementary French II
or American Sign Language II
4
 Units14
Spring Semester 2
PS/ETHS-103 Ethnic Politics in America 3
PS-120 California Government 3
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
PS-106 Introduction to International Relations 3
SPAN-201
Intermediate Spanish I
or Intermediate French I
or American Sign Language III (formerly ASL-103)
4
 Units16
 Total Units62

Language Requirement: Some CSU's require the equivalency of an intermediate language proficiency for graduation. Please see a counselor for more detail regarding specific CSU major and graduation requirements. CSUSM Grad Requirements: Language

UC: General Education Option C

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Semester 1Units
ENGL-101 College Composition (formerly Freshman Composition) 4
MATH-140
Introduction to Statistics
or Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
3
ART-100 Art Appreciation 3
COMM-100 Public Speaking 3
PS-101 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
 Units16
Spring Semester 1
ENGL-103 Critical Thinking and Writing 3
PS-120 California Government 3
HIST-111
U.S. History to 1877
or U.S. History Since 1865
3
PHIL-101 Introduction to Philosophy I 3
SPAN-101
Elementary Spanish I
or Elementary French I
or American Sign Language I
4
 Units16
Fall Semester 2
ECON-202 Principles of Microeconomics 3
HIST-101 Western Civilization to 1650 (formerly Western Civilization I: to 1500) 3
ENVS-101 Environmental Science 3
PS-105 Introduction to Political Theory 3
PS-102 Comparative Politics and Government 3
 Units15
Spring Semester 2
PS/ETHS-103 Ethnic Politics in America 3
PS-106 Introduction to International Relations 3
ANTH-111 Biological Anthropology Lab 1
ANTH-101 Biological Anthropology 3
COMM-104 Argumentation and Debate (formerly Advocacy and Argument) 3
 Units13
 Total Units60

NOTE: For students who did not meet the LOTE requirement in high school, they may fulfill Area 6 by demonstrating proficiency by completing ASL-100 American Sign Language I, FREN-101 Elementary French I or SPAN-101 Elementary Spanish I  with a grade C or better. Languages other than English for Native Speakers are also acceptable for meeting this requirement. 

Course Title Credits
Required Core Courses
PS-101Introduction to American Government and Politics3
or PS-101H Honors Introduction to American Government and Politics
List A: Select three
Select three of the following:9
Introduction to Statistics
Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
Comparative Politics and Government
Introduction to Political Theory
Honors Introduction to Political Theory
Introduction to International Relations
Honors Introduction to International Relations
List B: Select two
Select any course from List A not used above or any of the following courses:6
Ethnic Politics in America
Honors Ethnic Politics in America
California Government
Honors California Government
Total Units18
Course Title Credits
Units for Major18
CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern37-39
Possible double counting: 9 units
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 CSU transferable units)

Total Units for A.A.-T Degree: 60 units

Course Title Credits
Units for Major18
CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern37-39
Possible double counting: 9 units
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 CSU transferable units)

Total Units for A.A.-T Degree: 60 units

The overall requirements for this Associates Degree for Transfer (ADT) can be met by:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC).
  • Completion of California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements (CSUGE)  or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
  • Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  • Completion of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is acceptable if pass is defined as a grade of C or better. ADTs are intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. A student completing an ADT is guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not a particular campus or major. Students should meet with a Counselor to develop a comprehensive educational plan to further understand university and transfer requirements.

Discover information about careers that interest you!

  1. Take a Career Quiz to learn about yourself and receive career suggestions based on your interests. 
  2. Search available in-demand jobs in your career areas of interest and find up-to-date salaries and education requirements. 
  3. Find the MSJC Program that connects your interests to a career.

Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer.