Political Science

The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree is designed to prepare the student for transfer to four-year institutions of higher education and specifically intended to satisfy the lower division requirements for the Baccalaureate in Arts in Political Science at the California State University. This degree is designed to prepare students to understand and critically appraise the American political system and central issues in American politics, to evaluate topics in the key areas of political science, to clearly express political science concepts in scholarly writing, and to demonstrate an understanding of these ideas through their application to contemporary political problems.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

  • Describe, explain, and evaluate relationships between diverse identity and interest groups with American political institutions, political systems, policies and processes.
  • Identify and analyze the major current global and domestic political theories and ideologies.
  • Explain and critique issues in American, Comparative and World Politics and be able to use theoriesand debates to argue convincingly in defense of a position, selecting examples to illustrate points andorganizing these appropriately.
  • Employ a variety of current social scientific methodologies in the research, analysis and evaluation ofdata.

Political Science

0-15 units
Fall/Spring Units
English C1000/C1000H 4
Political Science C1000/C1000H 4
Communication Studies C1000/C1000H 3
Art 6, Music 19 or Theater 3 3
Intersession (Winter/Summer) Units
Geography 1/1H 3
16-30 units
Fall/spring Units
Communication Studies 3 or Philosophy 11  3
Math 11 or STAT-C1000/C1000H 4
Political Science 2 or Political Science 4 3
Interdisciplinary Studies 5 - Service Learning (Only for Pathway to Law option) 3
Intersession (Winter/Summer) Units
Sociology 1/1H or Anthropology 1/1H 3
31-45 units
Fall/spring Units
Economics 7/7H 3
Biology 1 4
Political Science 2 or Political Science 4  3
Political Science 5, 7ABCD or 13 3
Intersession (Winter/Summer) Units
Kinesiology 35, Reading 3 or Sociology 12 3
45-60+ units
Fall/spring Units
Foreign Language or Foreign Language Culture Class 3-5
Anthropology 2/ 2H or Psychology 1/ 1H or Sociology 20 3
Political Science 11 3
Geography 2 or Business 15 - Street Law (Only for Pathway to Law option) 3
History 6/6H or 7/7H  3

Associate in Art for Transfer Degree

The Associate in Art in Political Science for Transfer degree will be awarded upon completion of 60 California State University (CSU) transferable units including the above major requirements and the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) requirements and with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better (or a 'P' if taken as Pass/No Pass).

Milestones

Milestones are courses, co-curricular activities and recommendations from your Student Success Team that will keep you on track towards completion of your degree. Check off your milestones as you complete them.
  • Complete English C1000 (transfer-level English)
  • Complete transfer-level math (Math 12)
  • Consider a concentration (ie. law, international relations)
  • Complete "core four" political science courses (POL 1, 2, 4 and 11)
  • Apply to Universities (CSU/UC application period Oct 1-Nov 30)
  • Apply for ADT degree by beginning of spring term before transfer
  • Complete RCC Graduation application (during your last term)
  • Meet with your Counselor to Complete your Comprehensive Student Education Plan (SEP)
  • Complete FAFSA (Oct 1st - Mar 2nd for priority)
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor for career/research opportunities
  • Meet with your Counselor to update SEP (every semester)
  • Meet with your Counselor for pre-graduation check
  • Research Potential Clubs on Campus, particularly the Political Science Student Association ("PSSA")
  • Consider joining Model United Nations
  • Participate in tutoring, student success workshops or supplemental instruction
  • Visit the Career Center for Internship opportunities
  • Research transfer institutions
  • Attend Transfer workshops and Transfer Fair
  • Participate in an internship/ job shadowing

Careers for Political Science Majors

Salaries Range : $54,542 - $119,250

  • Lawyer
  • Political scientist
  • Policy analyst
  • Campaign manager 
  • Legislative assistant
  • Market research analyst
  • Public relations specialist
  • History/government teacher