Dec 05, 2024  
General Catalog 2024-2025 
    
General Catalog 2024-2025

Political Science, B.A.


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The Department of Political Science  

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (39 units)


(see Notes 1 and 2)

Lower-Division Core:


(to be completed prior to or concurrently with enrollment in the first 6 units of upper-division major courses)

Upper-Division Political Science Electives (18 units):


(exclude PLSI 102  and PLSI 100W  )

Other Degree Requirements


In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

  • American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
  • General Education Requirements (48 units)
  • Multicultural and International (MI)
  • Upper-division Writing
  • Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements 

Total Units: 120*


*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. See advisor for details.

Advising Notes


  1. CR/NC grading is not permitted in the political science major.
  2. General Education and elective units may be used toward a double major or minor (in something other than political science; see Double Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty advisor for further information.
  3. Grading Requirement. Students majoring in political science must earn a grade of C or better in each of the six core courses in the major: PLSI 1 , PLSI 90  (lower-division) and PLSI 110  or PLSI 111 , PLSI 120 , PLSI 140 , and PLSI 150  (upper-division) and Capstone Course (select from: PLSI 158I , PLSI 192 , PLSI 193 ; SSCI 102H ).

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