Online Degrees & Certificates
AA Transfer Political Science
Program Description
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 international relations, comparative government, political theory, political economy, public administration, and American politics.
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.
Learn more about the program on the Political Science website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates 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.
Graduates 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, including:
Core and support courses for the major (27-29 units)*
Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)** (49-58 units) (full certification is required)
Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)*** (45 units) (full certification is required)
Transferable electives necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement
*Some units from the core and support courses may be used to satisfy the GE requirement. Please see a counselor for more information.
**Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information. 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.
***Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.
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
Complete three courses from the following:
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| List A: Complete two course from List A: Any course not used from the Core Courses |
8-10 | |
| MATH 10 Introduction to Statisticsrenumbering to STAT C1000 effective Fall 2025 | Elementary Statistics | 5 |
| or PSYC 7 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 5 |
| or SOC 7 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 5 |
| 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 |
| List B: And complete one course from List B: Any course not used from the Core Courses or List A |
4-5 | |
| 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 |
| ETHN 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 2 | Introduction to Aftrican American Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 3 | Introduction to Latinx Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 4 | Introduction to Native American Studies | 4 |
| ETHN 5 | Introduction to Asian American Studies | 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 | Social Work & Human Services | 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 | 27-29 | |
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 2025-2026.
Based on the 2025 - 2026 degree program.