Political Science, A.A.

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Program Code: S.POS.AA

Graduation requirement: 60 credit hours

Political Science is the study of the theory and practice of government and politics. Students of politics describe and analyze political systems and behavior. Baccalaureate programs offer courses in areas such as public administration, public law, international relations, comparative politics, political behavior, political philosophy, and U.S. government.

Students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree prior to transfer. A minimum of 60 semester credits is required for transfer as a junior into a baccalaureate Political Science program. Since admission is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission.

Students should plan their transfer programs with a Parkland academic success advisor and the catalog of the four-year college or university they plan to attend.

Program Notes

Recommended courses are designed to facilitate completion of the A.A. degree and transfer into a four-year college or university with junior standing in a chosen academic path.

Recommended Elective Courses

The following courses are recommended as options to fulfill general electives for this degree:

POS 122 - American National Government 3 credit hours
POS 124 - State and Local Government 3 credit hours
POS 202 - International Relations 3 credit hours

Graduation Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree

General Education Core Curriculum: 38 credit hours

Note: One course taken in Humanities, Fine Arts, or Social/Behavioral Sciences must be a Non-Western culture course.

Communications: 3 courses (9 credit hours)

Take all three:

COM 103 - Introduction to Public Speaking (IAI C2 900)
ENG 101 - Composition I (IAI C1 900) - Grade of C or higher required
ENG 102 - Composition II (IAI C1 901R) - Grade of C or higher required

Social/Behavioral Sciences: 3 courses (9 credit hours)

Take courses from at least two different subjects.
Choose from the
Social/Behavioral Sciences GECC course list

Humanities and Fine Arts: 3 courses (9 credit hours)

Take at least one course from Humanities and at least one course from Fine Arts.
Choose from the
Humanities and Fine Arts GECC course list

Mathematics: 1 course (3 credit hours)

Choose from the
Mathematics GECC course list

Physical and Life Sciences: 2 courses (8 credit hours)

Take one course from Physical Sciences and one course from Life Sciences. Or, take both of the Interdisciplinary Physical/Life Sciences courses.
Choose from the
Physical and Life Sciences GECC course list

Liberal Arts and Sciences: 3 credit hours

Take one:

LAS 188 - Diverse U.S. Cultural Expression 3 credit hours
OR LAS 189 - Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences 3 credit hours

General Elective Courses: 19 credit hours

Choose general elective courses to meet the 60 credit hour graduation requirement. If LAS 188 was chosen above, 22 hours of general elective courses will be needed to reach 60 total credit hours.

General electives include any transfer-focused courses (courses with an even middle number such as MGT 101 or ART 121).

Students should work with their advisor to choose electives that match their interests and transfer plans. Some four-year universities prefer transfer students to complete specific coursework. Contact the Academic Advising office for assistance with course planning.