Online Degrees & Certificates
AA in Political Science
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.
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.
Online Courses for Political Science
The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.
- For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
- If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.
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 required* 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)**
Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)**
Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)***
* Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
** Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
*** 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 or certificates. 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
Core Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 1 renumbering to POLS C1000 effective Fall 2025 | American Government and Politics | 5 |
| POLI 2 | Comparative Government & Politics | 4 |
| or POLI 2H | Honors Comparative Government & Politics | 4 |
| POLI 3 |
Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory | 5 |
| or POLI 3H |
Honors Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory | 5 |
| POLI 15 |
International Relations/World Politics | 4 |
| or POLI 15H |
Honors International Relations/World Politics | 4 |
Support Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 units from the following: | ||
| ECON 1A | Principles of Macroeconomics | 5 |
| HIST 17A | History of the United States to 1815 | 4 |
| or HIST 17B |
History of the United States from 1812 to 1914 | 4 |
| or HIST 17C |
History of the United States 1914 to the Present | 4 |
| POLI 4 | California Politics & Government | 5 |
| POLI 9 | International Political Economy | 4 |
| or POLI 9H | Honors International Political Economy | 4 |
| or ECON 9 |
International Political Economy | 4 |
| or ECON 9H |
Honors International Political Economy | 4 |
| SOSC 20 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives for a Multicultural Society | 4 |
| AND 8 Units of the following: * | ||
| ECON 25 | The Global Economy | 4 |
| or ECON 25H | Honors The Global Economy | 4 |
| HIST 8 | History of Latin America | 4 |
| HIST 18 | Introduction to Middle Eastern Civilization | 4 |
| HIST 20 | History of Russia & The Soviet Union | 4 |
| GIST 11 | Introduction to Mapping & Spatial Reasoning | 4 |
| or GEOG 11 | Introduction to Mapping & Spatial Reasoning | 4 |
| SOC 15 |
Law & Society | 4 |
| Total Units |
35 | |
* Students may also use courses listed in the first section of support courses to fulfill the requirement for the second section of support courses.
For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit Political Science 2025-2026 Degree & Certificates.
Based on the 2025 - 2026 degree program.