BA: Political Science 2023-2024

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

    SubjectCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsRequirements MetGE/GRAD AreaNotes
    POLS300Political Science Research Methods3MajorTake POLS 300 before taking POLS 310 and POLS 499
    POLS or GLST320 or 300POLS 320: Public Administration: Writing as Public Service, or
    GLST 300: Writing in Global Studies: Communicating Global Challenges & Change    		3Major & GWAR
    Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Major15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required.
    See catalog for course titles & descriptions
    HISTStudent's ChoiceUS History3GraduationAIR: US HistoryChoose one: HIST 270, 271, 272, 275. CHS350. If US HIST has been met change to Free Elective.
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3GraduationUnit RequirementNeeded for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.

    Total Units

    #

    Semester One Considerations:

    • This two-year roadmap assumes that all GE's and Lower Division Major Requirements have been completed.
    • Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising Center
    • Attend Major Fair (First Week of October)
    • Review faculty biographies and publications. Connect with at least one faculty member working in area of interest to the student.
    • Attend at least one research presentation or panel on campus (or off).
    • Make appointment to meet with chair or faculty advisor to discuss research interests
    • Create or update LinkedIn Profile. Be certain to connect with faculty and other professionals working in areas of interest.

    Spring Junior

    SubjectCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsRequirements MetGE/GRAD AreaNotes
    POLS301 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 Science4MajorPrerequisite(s): MATH 200 or MATH 201 or MATH 202/PSY 202 or equivalent.
    Take POLS 300 before POLS 310
    Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Major15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
    UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE C: Arts and Humanities3GEUDGE CSee catalog for course titles & descriptions
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3GraduationUnit RequirementNeeded for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.

    Total Units

    #

    Semester Two Considerations:

    • This two-year roadmap assumes that all GE's and Lower Division Major Requirements have been completed.
    • Meet w/Graduate Studies Center
    • Join a disciplinary association such as: the American Political Science Association; the Western Political Science Association; the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management; or other organization recommended by a faculty member working in an area of interest.
    • Meet with the Career Development Services and the Graduate Studies personnel to discuss long term plans
    • Register and create a profile with CalCareers (www.calcareers.ca.gov) and USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov)
    • Investigate and consider participating in campus undergraduate research programs such as Summer SURF.
    • Consider enrolling in elective research credits (POLS 494) during senior year. Contact faculty about parameters for participation
    • Explore possible graduate degrees and select target programs (MPA, law school, etc.)

  • Fall Senior

    SubjectCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsRequirements MetGE/GRAD AreaNotes
    POLS306The Politics of Race & Ethnicity3Major & GraduationMulticultural PerspectivesCan 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 ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Major15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
    Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Major15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
    UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning3GEUDGE BSee catalog for course titles & descriptions
    UDGEStudent's ChoiceUDGE D - Social Sciences3GEUDGE DTake 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 disciplines

    UNIT TOTAL:

    #

    Semester Three Considerations:

    • Attend grad fest
    • Meet with Academic Advisor for Grad Check
    • Meet with Graduate Studies Center or Career Development Services
    • Update CV and resume. Meet with Career Counselor for feedback.
    • Make preparations for and complete any standardized examinations relevant to long term plans (e.g. GRE or LSAT)
    • Meet with faculty mentor to discuss plans and letters of recommendations
    • Apply for graduate school (if applicable)
    • Update LinkedIn Profile. Be certain to connect with faculty and other professionals working in areas of interest.

    Spring Senior

    SubjectCourse NumberCourse TitleUnitsRequirements MetGE/GRAD AreaNotes
    POLS499Capstone3MajorTake POLS 300 and 310 before POLS 499
    Major ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3Major15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
    LanguageStudent's ChoiceWill vary3GraduationLanguageUnits may vary between 3-4 units depending on language chosen. Also, double-counts with GE:C2.
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary3GraduationUnit RequirementNeeded for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
    Free ElectiveStudent's ChoiceWill vary2GraduationUnit RequirementNeeded for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.

    UNIT TOTAL:

    #

    Semester Four Considerations:

    • Attend Grad Fest (if completing in the fall)
    • Complete graduation check with Advising and Faculty advisor
    • Complete Capstone
    • Complete an Internship
    • Finalize graduate school applications or begin applying for positions
    • Apply to present at SAGE or other student research conference
    • Update information on CalCareers (www.calcareers.ca.gov) and USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov)
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