Roadmap Freshman - 4 year: Political Science, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Year 1 - 30 units

Fall Freshman - 15 units

GE A1 - Student’s Choice of A1: Oral Communication course - 3 units Units: 3
GE B4 - Student’s Choice of B4: Mathematics-Quantitative Reasoning course - 3 units Units: 3
Complete required Math/Statistics course MATH 201 or MATH/PSY 202.
GE F - Student’s Choice of F: Ethnics Studies course - 3 units Units: 3
POLS 150 - American Political Institutions Units: 3
Triple counts with Major, GE and American Institutions Requirement
Complete one from the following:
POLS 102 - Comparative Government Units: 3
POLS 103 - Introduction to International Politics Units: 3
Recommendations/Notes
- Complete required Math 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 - 15 units

GE A2 - Student’s Choice of A2: Written Communication course - 3 units Units: 3
Please check English Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course.
GE A3 - Student’s Choice of A3: Critical Thinking course - 3 units Units: 3
GE C1 - Student’s Choice of C1: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater course - 3 units Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Complete one from the following:
POLS 102 - Comparative Government Units: 3
POLS 103 - Introduction to International Politics Units: 3
Recommendations/Notes
- 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).

Year 2 - 30 units

Fall Sophomore - 15 units

GE B2 - Student’s Choice of B2: Life Sciences course - 3 units Units: 3
Take a B2 with B3 (lab) if missing lab requirement
GE C2 - Student’s Choice of C2 Humanities: Languages Other than English course - 3 units Units: 3
Units may vary between 3-4 units depending on language chosen. Also, double-counts with GE:C2.
GE E - Student’s Choice of E: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development course - 3 units Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- 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 - 15 units

GE B1 - Student’s Choice of B1: Physical Science course - 3 units Units: 3
Take a B1 with B3 (lab) if missing lab requirement See catalog for course titles & descriptions
Student’s Choice of HIST - US History course. Units: 3
Choose one: HIST 270, 271, 272, 275. CHS 350 is an option, however, will need to be taken in semester 5 or later
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Complete one from the following:
GE C1 - Student’s Choice of C1: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater course - 3 units Units: 3
GE C2 - Student’s Choice of C2 Humanities: Languages Other than English course - 3 units Units: 3
Recommendations/Notes
- Complete lower-division POLS requirement(s)
- 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
- If wanting to participate in Model UN, apply with the program as soon as possible

Year 3 - 31 units

Fall Junior - 15 units

POLS 300 - Political Science Research Methods Units: 3
Take POLS 300 before taking POLS 310 and POLS 499
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
Complete one from the following:

*Note: Starting Fall 2024, GLST 300 will be offered in Fall only & POLS 320 will be offered in Spring only
GLST 300 - Writing in Global Studies: Communicating Global Challenges and Change Units: 3
POLS 320 - Public Administration: Writing as Public Service Units: 3
Recommendations/Notes
- 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 - 16 units

POLS 310 - Statistical Applications in Political Science Units: 4
Prerequisite(s): MATH 200 or MATH 201 or MATH 202/PSY 202 or equivalent Take POLS 300 before POLS 310
UDGE C - Student’s Choice of UDGE-C: Arts and Humanities course - 3 unit Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
Complete one from the following:
POLS 301 - Political Theory Units: 3
POLS 307 - Contemporary Political Theory Units: 3
POLS 308 - Modern Political Theory Units: 3
Recommendations/Notes
- 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)

Year 4 - 30 units

Fall Senior - 15 units

POLS 306 - The Politics of Race and Ethnicity Units: 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 wilth all POLS classes Meets Multicultural Perspectives
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required See catalog for course titles & descriptions
UDGE B - Student’s Choice of UDGE-B: Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning course - 3 units Units: 3
UDGE D - Student’s Choice of UDGE-D: Social Sciences course - 3 unit Units: 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
Recommendations/Nontes
- 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 - 15 units

POLS 499 - Capstone Units: 3
Take POLS 300 and 310 before POLS 499
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course . Units: 3
15 units of Political Science Major Electives are required. See catalog for course titles & descriptions.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- 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