Political Science

By studying Political Science at CI, you’ll gain an understanding of government, public policy and political behavior that you can apply to a variety of careers and in daily life. Because Political Science is tied to many disciplines, you’ll get broad exposure to areas such as economics, history, communication, foreign languages, sociology, statistics and quantitative analysis, as well as opportunities for international study, civic engagement and service learning.

Your future

Our graduates enter into career paths in fields ranging from politics, law and business to advocacy, education and journalism. The Political Science major also prepares students for graduate and professional study in the field of political science as well as international relations, law, and public administration.

Top careers include:

Attorney

Congressional office/committee staffer, coordinator, director or aide

Federal agent/law enforcement officer

Government analyst

Journalist

Activist/Lobbyist

Policy or political analyst

Public information officer

Pollster/public opinion analyst

Teacher

Lower Division Requirements (9 Units):

POLS 102 Comparative Government (3)

POLS 103 Introduction to International Politics (3)

POLS 150 American Political Institutions (3)

Upper Division Requirements (16 Units):

POLS 300 Research Methods in Political Science (3)

POLS 301 Political Theory (3)

POLS 303 Statistical Applications in the Social Sciences (4) (SOC/PSY)

POLS 306 The Politics of Race and Ethnicity (3)

POLS 499 Capstone (3)

Political Science Electives (15 units)

Students should select a total of 15 units from the following list:

ESRM 328 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)

POLS 140 California Government and Politics (1)

POLS 305 Gender and Politics (3)

POLS 312 Interest Groups and Collective Action (3)

POLS 313 The United States Congress (3)

POLS 314 The American Presidency (3)

POLS 315 Congress and the Presidency (3)

POLS 316 State and Local politics and policy (3)

POLS 317 Judicial Power and Process (3)

POLS 318 Campaigns and Elections (3)

POLS 319 Political Behavior and Public Opinion (3)

POLS 320 Public Administration (3)

POLS 321 Public Budgeting (3) (FIN)

POLS 325 American Public Policy (3)

POLS 326 Government and Politics of Selected Nations (3)

POLS 327 International Relations of Selected Areas (3)

POLS 328 United States Foreign Policy (3)

POLS 329 International Law and Organizations (3)

POLS 330 Political Sociology (3)  (SOC)

POLS 331 Narratives of the Working Class (3) (ENGL/ECON/HIST/SOC)

POLS 334 Peace Studies (3)

POLS 335 Politics and Film (3) (COMM)

POLS 340 Environmental Politics and Public Policy (3)  (ESRM)

POLS 341 The National Park (3) (ESRM)

POLS 345 Science and Public Policy (3) (BIOL)

POLS 351 International Relations of Africa (3)

POLS 352 International Relations of Europe (3)

POLS 353 International Relations of Latin America (3)

POLS 354 International Relations of the Middle East (3)

POLS 355 International Relations of South Asia (3)

POLS 401 Constitutional Law (3)

POLS 402 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3)

POLS 403 Comparative Foreign Policy (3)

POLS 404 Policy Leadership (3) (EDUC)

POLS 426 Politics of Developing Countries (3)

POLS 430 Political Communication (3) (COMM)

POLS 431 Education Policy and Politics (3) (EDUC)

POLS 490 Special Topics in Political Science (3)

POLS 492 Service Learning In Political Science (3)

POLS 493 Internship in Political Science (3)

POLS 494 Independent Research In Political Science (1-3)

International Freshmen Checklist  

International Transfer Checklist 

Financial Affidavit for Undergraduate applicants 

Submit all application documents to the Center for International Affairs. 

*Transfer Students: We are currently accepting applications from all community colleges in the U.S.  Please make sure that you have at least 60 units and have completed “Oral communication”, “Written communication”, “Critical thinking” and “College level mathematics/quantitative reasoning” with “C” or better.  Please note that the Nursing programs are closed for international students.  

English Score

Submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other acceptable test (see below for list of tests).  Scores must be sent directly to CSUCI from testing agency.

Acceptable English Placement Exams

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum Paper-Based score of 500, a minimum Computer Based score of 173 or a minimum Internet Based score of 61.

IELTS – International English Language Test System with an overall band score of 6.0.

*Transfer students: It’s not necessary to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score if you have completed the required Freshman Composition Class at your community college.