Centered on the principles of constitutional democracy, inclusion, participation, and global citizenship, the Department of Political Science cultivates students and teacher-scholar faculty in integrative, research-based understandings of political systems and public sectors. We focus on long-term student success as demonstrated by life-long civic engagement and achievement in a broad spectrum of careers in express service of the mission pillars of CSUCI.

Visit the program website: https://polsci.csuci.edu/ 
Review the Political Science Major Requirements

Two Year Academic Roadmap

Print Two Year Roadmap

  • Fall Junior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    POLS300Political Science Research Methods3Take POLS 300 before taking POLS 310 and POLS 499Major

    POLS or 



    GLST

    320, or



    300

    POLS 320: Public Administration: Writing in Public Service, or

    GLST 300: Writing in Global Studies:
    Communicating Global Challenges & Change

    3Major & GWAR
    POLSStudent's ChoiceUpper Division POLS Major Elective3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceStudent Choice3Can take POLS 306 Junior Year to reserve electives for later & take advantage of special opportunitiesMajor 
    HISTStudent's ChoiceUS History3Choose one: HIST 270, 271, 272, 275. CHS 350. If US HIST has been met change to Free ElectiveOtherAIR: US History

    Total Units

    #

    Milestones

    • Two year plan assumes Lower Division (LD) Major courses have been completed. If any LD courses remains incomplete, take these courses as soon as possible.
    • Seek a leadership position in a student organization
    • Meet with Academic Advising for a degree progress check
    • Meet w/ Graduate Studies Center
    • Meet w/ Career Development Services

    Spring Junior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    POLS

    301, or

    307, or


    308

    POLS 301: Political Theory, or
    POLS 307: Contemporary Political Theory, or
    POLS 308: Modern Political Theory

    3Major
    POLS310Statistical Applications in Political Science4Prerequisite(s): MATH 200 or MATH 201 or MATH 202/PSY 202 or equivalent.
    Take POLS 300 before POLS 310
    Major
    POLSStudent's ChoiceUpper Division POLS Major Elective3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor
    UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE C: Arts and Humanities3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsGEUDGE C
    Graduation RequirementStudent's ChoiceLanguage3Units may vary between 3-4 units depending on language chosen; if language has been met change to Free ElectiveOtherLanguage

    Total Units

    #

    Milestones

    • Two year plan assumes Lower Division (LD) Major courses have been completed. If any LD courses remains incomplete, take these courses as soon as possible.
    • Explore student research opportunities, Explore Study Abroad opportunities, Explore possible graduate degrees (MPA, law school, etc.)
    • Begin graduate school test prep (if applicable)
    • Making an Impact Club (if applicable)
    • Set up an online presence (e.g., LinkedIn, professional website)
  • Fall Senior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    POLS306The Politics of Race & Ethnicity3

    Can fulfill UDGE-D, only if the lower division GE:D requirement is fulfilled by two different disciplines.

    Cannot fulfill GE:D & UDGE-D with all POLS classes.

    Meets Multicultural Perspectives

    Major & GEUDGE-D
    POLSStudent's ChoiceUpper Division POLS Major Elective3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor
    POLSStudent's ChoiceUpper Division POLS Major Elective3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor
    UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE B: Scientific Inquiry & Quantitative Reasoning3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsGEUDGE B
    UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE D: Social Science3Take a UDGE D course if POLS 306 does not qualify for UDGE-D. This will depend on whether your GE:D was met via two different disciplinesGEUDGE D

    Total Units

    #

    Milestones

    • Apply for Graduation (Priority deadline – October 1st)
    • Meet w/ Academic Advisor for Grad Check
    • Meet w/ Graduate Studies Center
    • Meet w/ Career Development Services

    Spring Senior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    POLS499Capstone3Take POLS 300 and 310 before POLS 499Major
    POLSStudent's ChoiceUpper Division POLS Major Elective3See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective3Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceFree Elective2Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for. Other

    Total Units

    #

    Milestones

    • Attend Grad Fest
    • Graduation check with Advising and Faculty advisor
    • Complete capstone
    • Complete an Internship, visit the Career Center to prepare for the job market, apply for graduate school.
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