Political Science (AA-T Degree A0345)

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Degree A0345

Political Science introduces students to political science theories and methodologies used in the scientific study of political institutions and behavior. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree will provide students with the foundational knowledge necessary to identify research and statistical methods appropriate to political science, to compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in political science, and synthesize the analysis of institutions and individuals. The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree is designed to assist students in seamlessly transferring to a CSU major in Political Science.

To earn an associate degree for transfer, a student must complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to a CSU that consist of: IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 units. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements.

Required Courses

Course Prefix Course Name Units
Core Courses
POLI 1Introduction to American Government and Politics3
or POLI 1H Introduction to American Government and Politics - Honors
List A
Choose three courses from the following:9-10
Elementary Statistics
Elementary Statistics - Honors
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Comparative Politics
Political Theory I - Ancient to Contemporary
International Relations
List B
Choose two courses from the following or any course not selected in List A:6
Cultural Anthropology
Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics
Principles of Economics - Macroeconomics - Honors
Human Geography
Human Geography - Honors
World Regional Geography
Geography of California
History of the United States
World History: Early Modern to the Present
World History: Early Modern to the Present - Honors
History of the United States to 1877
History of the United States to 1877 - Honors
History of the United States from 1865
History of the United States from 1865 - Honors
Political Theory II - Early Modern to Contemporary
Environmental Politics
Latino Politics in the United States
African American/Black Politics
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Psychology - Honors
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology - Honors
Total Units for Major18-19
CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 139-42
Total Units60
1

Courses may be double-counted with either CSU-GE or IGETC.

Program Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

  • Explain political institutions and processes of the United States government.
  • Identify research and statistical methods appropriate to Political Science.
  • Compare and contrast major theoretical perspectives in Political Science.
  • Analyze the relationships between governments globally.
  • Compare and contrast the institutions and processes of governments around the world.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Looking for guidance? A counselor can help.This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
ENGL 1A Freshman Composition 4
POLI 1 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3
CSU ARTS CSU GE C1 Arts Crse 3
MATH 110 OR PSYC 10 3  
 Units10
Winter Term 1
SPCH 1A OR SPCH 2 OR SPCH 8 3  
 Units0
Spring Term 1
CSU HUM CSU GE C2 Humanities Crse 3
CSU CRTTH CSU Area A-3 Crit Thnkg Course 3
CSU SCNC1 CSU GE B1 Physical Sc Crse 3
PHIL 3 recommended for CSU CRTTH Area 3  
Foreign language recommended for CSU HUM Area Foreign language recommended for CSU HUM Area  
POLI 2 OR POLI 5 OR POLI 9 3  
 Units9
Summer Term 1
CSU LIFE CSU GE E Lifelng Self Dev Crse 3
 Units3
Fall Term 2
CSU SCNC2 CSU GE B2 Life Sc Crse 3
CSU LAB CSU GE B3 Phy/Life Sc Lab Crse 1
CSU ELECT CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3
HIST 1 or 7 or 8 recommended from list 8  
POLI 2 OR POLI 5 OR POLI 9 3  
ANTH 5 OR BUSC 1A OR GEOG 2 OR GEOG 30 OR GEOG 5 OR HIST 1 OR HIST 4 OR HIST 7 OR HIST 8 OR POLI 10 OR POLI 25 OR POLI 35 OR POLI 7 OR PSYC 1A OR SOC 1 3  
 Units7
Winter Term 2
CSU ELECT CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3
CSU ETHS CSU GE Area F Ethnic Studies 3
 Units6
Spring Term 2
CSU ART/H CSU GE C-1 or C-2 Art/Hum Crse 3
CSU ELECT CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3
CSU ELECT CSU Trnsf Course (Elective) 3
CSU/UC transfer elective to meet 60 units 0  
Submit petition: inside.mtsac.edu, Student Tab#45 5  
ANTH 5 OR BUSC 1A OR GEOG 2 OR GEOG 30 OR GEOG 5 OR HIST 1 OR HIST 4 OR HIST 7 OR HIST 8 OR POLI 10 OR POLI 2 OR POLI 25 OR POLI 35 OR POLI 5 OR POLI 7 OR POLI 9 OR PSYC 1A OR SOC 1 3  
 Units9
 Total Units44
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