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.

Four Year Academic Roadmap

Print Four Year Roadmap

  • Fall Freshman

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    American InstitutionsPOLS 150American Political Institutions3University Requirements
    Political SciencePOLS 130Introduction to International Politics3Major
    General EducationOral CommunicationStudent Choice3GEA1
    General EducationPhysical SciencesStudent Choice3GEB1
    Major ElectiveLower DivisionStudent Choice3Elective

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • N/A

    Spring Freshman

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    Political ScienceComparative GovernmentPOLS 1023Major
    American InstitutionsHIST 270, HIST 271, HIST 272, HIST 275, or HIST 350Choice of five HIST courses3The United States To 1877, The United States Since 1877, Constitutional History of the U.S., The United States To 1900, or Chicana/O History and CultureUniversity Requirement
    General EducationArts, Cinema, Dance, Music, TheaterStudent Choice4GEC1
    General EducationSocial SciencesStudent Choice3GED
    Major ElectiveLower DivisionStudent Choice3Elective

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • Complete required English and Math course(s)
    • Join a student group
    • Complete POLS 150 and at least one other lower division POLS course (POLS 102 or 103)
    • Attend the SAGE Student Research Conference
    • Explore internships, study abroad, and research opportunities
  • Fall Sophomore

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    Political SciencePOLS 306The Political of Race and Ethnicity3Major & GEC2
    General EducationWritten CommunicationStudent Choice3GEA2
    General EducationLife SciencesStudent Choice3GEB2
    Major ElectiveLower DivisionStudent Choice3Elective
    Major ElectiveLower DivisionStudent Choice3Elective

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • N/A

    Spring Sophomore

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    MathematicsMATH 201Elementary Statistics3Pre-req for POLS 130Major
    Major ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3Poli Sci elective courseElective
    Political SciencePOLS 301, 307, 308Political Theory, Contemporary Political Theory, or Modern Political Theory3Major
    General EducationHumanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than EnglishStudent Choice3GEC2
    General EducationCritical ThinkingStudent Choice3GE

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • Complete lower-division POLS requirement(s)
    • Seek a leadership position in a student organization
    • Prepare a resume
    • Meet with Advising
    • Apply for internships, study abroad, or a research opportunity (depending on interests)
    • Complete an internship
  • Fall Junior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    Political SciencePOLS 300Research Methods3Major
    Free ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3Upper Division Interdisciplinary General EducationUniversity RequirementUDGE-C
    Major ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3POLS elective courseElective
    General EducationFine and Performing ArtsStudent Choice3GEC2
    General EducationSocial SciencesStudent Choice3GED

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • N/A

    Spring Junior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    Political SciencePOLS 310Statistical Applications for Political Science4Elective
    Free ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3Upper Division Interdisciplinary General EducationUniversity RequirementUDGE-B
    Major ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3Poli Sci elective courseMajor
    General EducationLifelong Learning and Self DevelopmentStudent Choice3ElectiveE
    General EducationMathematics-Quantitative ReasoningStudent Choice3GEB4

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • Meet with Faculty Advisor
    • Explore Transfers
    • Making an Impact Club (if applicable)
    • Attend the career fair
    • Complete Race and Ethnicity, Research Methods, Statistical Applications, and political philosophy requirements
    • Visit the Career Center
    • Set up an online presence (e.g., LinkedIn, professional website)
    • Complete an internship or research experience
    • Begin graduate school test prep (if applicable)
  • Fall Senior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    Free ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3Upper Division Interdisciplinary General Education- NOT in Poli SciUniversity RequirementUDGE-D
    Major ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3Poli Sci elective courseElective
    General EducationLifelong Learning and Self DevelopmentStudent Choice3GEE
    General EducationMathematics-Quantitative ReasoningStudent Choice3GEB4
    Free ElectiveFree ElectiveStudent Choice3Elective

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • N/A

    Spring Senior

    Course AreaCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotesRequirements MetGE Categories
    Political SciencePOLS 499Capstone3Major
    Major ElectiveUpper DivisionStudent Choice3Elective
    General EducationArts and HumanitiesStudent Choice3GEC2
    General EducationSocial SciencesStudent Choice3GED
    Free ElectiveFree ElectiveStudent Choice3Elective

    Total Units

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    Milestones

    • Attend Grad Fest
    • Consider an internship
    • Check graduate school application deadlines (if applicable)
    • Graduation check with Advising and Faculty advisor
    • Complete capstone
    • Work closely with the Career Center (if applicable)
    • Apply for graduate school (if applicable)
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