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
Four Year Academic Roadmap
Fall Freshman
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 102
or
103POLS 102: Comparative Government or
POLS 103: Introduction to International Politics3 Major & GE D POLS 150 American Political Institutions 3 Triple counts with Major, GE and American Institutions Requirement Major, GE & Graduation D/AIR:CA Local & State Govt GE Student's Choice A1 - Oral Communication 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE A1 GE Student's Choice B4 – Mathematics- Quantitative Reasoning 3 Complete required Math/Statistics course MATH 201 or MATH/PSY 202 GE B4 GE Student's Choice F - Ethnic Studies 3 Also fulfills Multicultural Perspectives Requirement. GE & Graduation F/Multicultural Perspectives Total Units
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Milestones
- Choose a Learning Community
- Complete required Math/Statistics course(s)
- Complete POLS 150 and at least one other lower division POLS course (POLS 102 or 103)
- Attend Major Fair, or make a plan to attend next semester if starting in spring semester (First Week of October)
- Review faculty biographies and publications. Connect with at least one faculty member working in area of interest to the student.
- Schedule an appointment with a Peer Advisor or Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising Center
Spring Freshman
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 102
or
103POLS 102: Comparative Government or
POLS 103: Introduction to International Politics3 Major & GE D GE Student's Choice A2 – Written Communication 3 Please check English Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course. GE A2 GE Student's Choice A3 - Critical Thinking 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE A3 GE Student's Choice C1 – Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE C1 Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Total Units
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Milestones
- Choose a Learning Community
- Complete required English course
- Join a student group
- Complete remaining 100 level required course(s) (POLS 102, POLS 103, and POLS 150)
- Attend at least one research presentation on campus (or off).
Fall Sophomore
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories GE Student's Choice B2 - Life Sciences 3 Take a B2 with B3 (lab) if missing lab requirement GE B2/B3 GE/ Language Student's Choice Will vary 3 Units may vary between 3-4 units depending on language chosen. Also double-counts with GE: C2 GE C2 GE Student's Choice E - Lifelong Learning and Self-Development 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE E Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Total Units
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Milestones
- Complete lower-division POLS requirement(s)
- Consider enrolling in Careers in Public Service and Law (POLS 201)
- 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 Sophomore
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories GE Student's Choice Either C1 or C2 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE Additional C GE Student's Choice B1 - Physical Sciences 3 Take a B1 with B3 (lab) if missing lab requirement
See catalog for course titles & descriptionsGE B1 HIST Student's Choice US History 3 Choose one: HIST 270, 271, 272, 275. CHS 350 is an option, however, will need to be taken in semester 5 or later Graduation AIR: US History Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Free Elective Student's Choice Free Elective 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Total Units
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Milestones
- Complete lower-division POLS requirement(s)
- If wanting to participate in Model UN, apply with the program as soon as possible
- Consider adding a minor
- Seek a leadership position in a student organization
- Apply for internships, study abroad, or research opportunity (depending on interests)
- 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
Fall Junior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 300 Political Science Research Methods 3 Take POLS 300 before taking POLS 310 and POLS 499 Major POLS or
GLST
320, or
300
POLS 320: Public Administration: Writing as Public Service, or
GLST 300: Writing in Global Studies: Communicating Global Challenges Change3 Major & GWAR Major Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required
See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Other Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Other Total Units
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Milestones
- Begin methods sequence (POLS 300)
- Seek a leadership position in a student organization
- Meet with Academic Advising for a degree progress check
- 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.
- As a Junior, it is recommended that you meet with your program faculty advisor at least once a year
Spring Junior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 301 or
307 or
308
POLS 301: Political Theory, or
POLS 307: Contemporary Political Theory, or
POLS 308: Modern Political Theory3 Major POLS 310 Statistical Applications in Political Science 4 Prerequisite(s): MATH 200 or MATH 201 or MATH 202/PSY 202 or equivalent
Take POLS 300 before POLS 310Major Major Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required
See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor UDGE Student's Choice UDGE C - Arts and Humanities 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE UDGE C Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Total Units
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Milestones
- Complete methods sequence (POLS 310)
- 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.)
- Update CV and resume. Meet with Career Counselor for feedback.
- Make preparations to complete any standardized examinations relevant to long term plans (e.g. GRE or LSAT)
Fall Senior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 306 The Politics of Race & Ethnicity 3 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 PerspectivesMajor & GE Multicultural Perspectives Major Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required
See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor Major Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required
See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor UDGE Student’s Choice UDGE B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning 3 See catalog for course titles & descriptions GE UDGE B UDGE Student’s Choice UDGE D - Social Sciences 3 Take 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 Graduation Total Units
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Milestones
- Apply for graduation (Priority deadline – October 1st)
- Attend Grad Fest (if completing in the fall)
- Meet with Academic Advisor for Grad Check
- Meet with faculty mentor to discuss plans and letters of recommendations
- Update information on CalCareers (www.calcareers.ca.gov) and USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov)
- Apply for graduate school (if applicable)
- Apply to present at SAGE or other student research conference
- As a Senior, it is recommended that you meet with your program faculty advisor at least once during your final year
Spring Senior
Course Area Course Number Course Title Units Notes Requirements Met GE Categories POLS 499 Capstone 3 Take POLS 300 and 310 before POLS 499 Major Major Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required
See catalog for course titles & descriptionsMajor Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Free Elective Student's Choice Will vary 3 Needed 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. Graduation Unit Requirement Total Units
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Milestones
- Attend Grad Fest (if completing in Spring)
- 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