Political Science

As a political science major at UCI, you explore how politics works at the individual, group, national, and international levels. Students are introduced to the findings and the methods for gathering information about political behavior and political processes. Coursework emphasizes the development of analytic thinking and clear writing skills and focuses on American society and politics, comparative politics, international relations, public law, and political theory.

Students participate in programs such as the UCDC Internship Program in Washington, D.C., and UCI’s Education Abroad Program. Graduates are prepared for careers in business, international relations, law, politics, consultancy, journalism, and public service.

Departmental Requirements for the Major

School requirements must be met and must include 12 courses (48 units) as specified below:

Requirements

• If you are a California resident, you must receive a 3.0 GPA or higher in the required “a-g” subjects during grades 10 and 11
• If you are a non-California resident, you must have a minimum 3.4 GPA in the required "a-g" subjects in order to be eligible for the UC System

"A-G" Requirements

The “A-G” requirements, also called Academic Subject Requirements, represent the minimum academic preparation you must meet to be eligible for admission to the University of California.

A. Two years of history/social science — One year of world history, cultures and geography and one year of U.S. history OR one half-year of U.S. history and one half-year of American government or civics 
B. Four years of English 
C. Three years of mathematics (four years recommended) — Must include algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra 
D. Two years of laboratory science (three years recommended) — Must include two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics 
E. Two years of a language other than English (three years recommended) — The second year or higher of the same language must be completed to fulfill this requirement 
F. One year of visual and performing arts — A yearlong course chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art 
G. One year of college preparatory electives

Exams Requirement

You must submit college admission test scores from the SAT or the ACT with Writing. Submission of SAT Subject Test scores is not required, but may add positively to the review of your application. For exam requirement details, visit admission.universityofcalifornia.edu.

Other Considerations

The following faculty-approved criteria are also taken into account when reviewing your application.

• Number of, content of, and performance in academic courses completed beyond the University’s minimum eligibility requirements
• Number of and performance in honors and AP courses
• Being identified as “eligible in the local context” by ranking in the top nine percent of your high school class, as determined by the University’s academic criteria
• Quality of your senior year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned
• Quality of academic performance relative to educational opportunities available at your school
• Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas
• Outstanding work on one or more special projects in any academic field
• Recent marked improvement in academic performance
• Special talents, achievements, and awards in a particular field, or experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership or ability to contribute to the intellectual vitality of the campus
• Completion of special projects that offer significant evidence of your special effort and determination or that may indicate special suitability to an academic program on a specific campus
• Academic accomplishments in light of your experiences and circumstances, such as disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status
• Location of your secondary school and residence, to provide for geographic diversity in the student population and to account for the wide variety of educational environments existing in California

Personal Insight Questions

As of August 1, 2016, applicants will have a greater opportunity to express who they are and what matters to them on their UC Application. New personal insight questions have replaced the two previous personal statement prompts. Key points about the personal insight questions include:

• Freshman applicants will choose four out of eight questions to answer.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

Your personal insight questions should be exactly that - personal. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself, your hopes, ambitions, life experiences, and inspirations.

We encourage you to take your time. Be open, be reflective, and be honest. Your personal insight questions provide context for the rest of your application.

Meet English proficiency requirements for success.

If you attended four years at a high school or attended another college or university in which the language of instruction is not English, you must provide evidence of English proficiency to be successful in university studies at UCI.

If you have less than three years of instruction in English in the U.S., you must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement by achieving an acceptable score on any one of the following tests:

• Score 80 or higher on the Internet-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or score 550 or higher on its paper-based version
• Score 3, 4, or 5 on the AP examination in English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition
• Score 5, 6, or 7 on the IB Higher Level Examination in English (Language A)
• Score 6 or higher on the IB Standard Level Examination in English (Language A)
• Score 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Score 24 or higher on the ACT combined English/Writing or English Language Arts (ELA)
• Score 560 or higher on the old SAT, Writing section, OR score 31 or higher on the SAT Writing and Language Test of the new SAT with Essay

Please note the English Language Proficiency Requirement is waived with one UC transferable English Composition course (not ESL) taken at a regionally accredited U.S. college/university with a grade of C or better.

Scholarships

• Global Education
• Merit Scholarships