Online Degrees & Certificates
AA Transfer Political Science
Program Description
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree prepares students for transfer to California State Universities (CSUs). Students who complete the Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree will be ensured preferential transfer status to CSUs for political science majors and majors in related disciplines. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree requirements will fulfill the lower division major requirements at many CSUs. Students are advised, however, to meet with a counselor to assess the course requirements for specific CSUs. This degree may also provide excellent preparation for other majors.
Political Science as a social science is mainly concerned with the systematic analysis of governmental institutions and processes and the development of power. It fully analyzes the political behavior of human beings. Specific areas of specialization within the major include the international arena, comparative government, political theory, political economy, public administration, political parties and elections, constitutional law and regional political studies.
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.
Units Required
Major: 27-29
Associate Degree Requirements
Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer requires completion of a minimum of 90 units to include:
- CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the *Intersegmental Genearl Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) 49-58 units (full certification is required)
- Core and suppport courses (26-29 units **, of which 19-20 units may satisfy the GE requirement)
- Transferable electives necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement
* IMPORTANT NOTE: Although it is possible to fulfill the requirements for the Associate Degree for Transfer by completing the IGETC for UC pattern, admission to CSU requires completion of an Oral Communication course (IGETC Area 1C; CSU GE Area A-1); therefore, students who plan to transfer to CSU should complete this course as part of their GE or elective units.
** Note that a minimum of 27 units must be completed for the major.
NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be completed with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Online Courses for Political Science AAT
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.
Core and Support Courses
Core Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 1 | Political Science: Introduction to American Government & Politics | 5 |
Support Courses
| ONLINE COURSE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| List A: Complete THREE course from List A | 13-14 | |
| MATH 10 | Elementary Statistics | 5 |
| or PSYC 7 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 5 |
| or SOC 7 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 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 |
| List B: And complete One course from two sections of the four List B sections | 8-10 | |
| Section #1 | ||
| Any course not used from List A | ||
| Section #2 | ||
| 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 |
| Section #3 | ||
| ANTH 2A |
Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| or ANTH 2AH |
Honors Cultural Anthropology | 4 |
| BUSI 18 | Business Law I | 5 |
| ECON 1A | Principles of Macroeconomics | 5 |
| ECON 1B | Principles of Microeconomics | 5 |
| Section #4 | ||
| GEOG 5 | Introduction to Economic Geography | 4 |
| HIST 4A | History of Western Civilization to 800 CE | 4 |
| HIST 4B | History of Western Civilization: 700-1800 | 4 |
| HIST 4C | History of Western Civilization 1789-Present | 4 |
| HIST 17A | History of the United States to 1815 | 4 |
| HIST 17B | History of the United States from 1812-1914 | 4 |
| HIST 17C | History of the United States from 1914 to the Present | 4 |
| SOC 11 | Introduction to Social Welfare | 5 |
| SOC 14 | Sociology of Crime | 4 |
| SOC 20 | Major Social Problems | 4 |
| SOC 23 | Race & Ethnic Relations | 4 |
| WMN 11 | Women in Global Perspective | 4 |
| Total Units | 26-29 | |
Note that this is a list of fully online courses that satisfy degree requirements.
For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit Associate Degree for Transfer-Political Science 2024-2025.
Based on the 2024 - 2025 degree program.