Political Science BA
Total Units Required: 120
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science offers great flexibility in three areas, international relations, legal studies, and U.S. politics.
The option in international relations. Students gain an understanding of international interactions, such as conflict and trade, as well as the politics of other nations, such as alternative government forms. Students are exposed to the politics of the world’s major regions through region-specific courses. International relations students excel in many professions but are especially well suited for domestic and international work in the public and nonprofit sectors.
The option in legal studies. This option provides students with an innovative course of study with a law-related emphasis. Students engage in hands-on work in internships or the legal clinic practicum, giving students practical experience through contact with attorneys, judges, inmates, and persons in the community. Students also can participate in a moot court competition. Graduates from this major often pursue careers in law.
The option in U.S. politics. Students choose courses from a rich curriculum, providing close student-faculty contact. Significant work experience and internship opportunities are offered in the state legislature, with lobbying groups, political parties, candidates, and in the offices of U.S. Senators and Representatives.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 42-44 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Research Methodology | ||
| POLS 331W | Introduction to Research Methods (W) | 4 |
| POLS 396 | Research Symposium Experience 1, 2 | 1 |
| Introductory Political Science | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Law, Politics, and Justice | ||
| Vital Political Problems | ||
| International Relations/Comparative Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Political Thought | ||
| Origins of Western Political Thought | ||
| Black Political Thought | ||
| Contemporary Political Thought | ||
| Jurisprudence: Philosophy of Law | ||
| U.S. Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| The Presidency | ||
| Congress | ||
| Public Policy/ Public Administration | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Public Policy Formation | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | ||
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 19-21 | |
| Total Units | 42-44 | |
- 1
One unit of credit for POLS 396 will be assigned when enrolled in POLS 429W for the U.S. politics option, LEGL 489K or LEGL 490 for the legal studies option, or INTR 441W for the international relations option.
- 2
POLS 396 can be taken for up to six units.
Major Option Course Requirements
Students must select at least one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
Option in International Relations: 21 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| Select whichever course was not taken for the major core: | 3 | |
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| INTR 441W | Capstone in Comparative Politics and International Relations (W) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Selective five of the following: 1 | 15 | |
| Politics of the Developing World | ||
| Model United Nations | ||
or INTR 340B | Model United Nations | |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| War, Conflict, and Security | ||
| International Organizations and NGOs | ||
| Comparative Political Behavior | ||
| International Law | ||
| Comparative Political Institutions | ||
| Politics of Terrorism | ||
| Politics of Europe | ||
| Politics of the Middle East | ||
| Politics of Africa | ||
| Issues in Comparative Politics and International Relations | ||
| Internship in International Relations | ||
| Total Units | 21 | |
- 1
INTR 344 may be used to satisfy this requirement if not used in the major core.
Option in Legal Studies: 21 units
Courses listed in multiple requirements can be used only once towards completion of the major.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| LEGL 251 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 |
| LEGL 454W | Legal Research and Writing (W) | 3 |
| LEGL 455 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LEGL 459 | Senior Seminar in Legal Studies | 3 |
| Internship or Practicum | ||
| Select six units from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Internship in Legal Studies | ||
| Legal Clinic Practicum | ||
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Employment Law | ||
| Labor Law and Collective Bargaining | ||
| Entrepreneurship Law | ||
| Estate Planning | ||
| International Law | ||
| Mass Communication Law | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Legal Analysis | ||
| Theories, Practices, and Administration of Justice (W) | ||
| Sexual Minorities Law/Politics (W) | ||
| Criminal Procedure | ||
| Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | ||
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Planning Law | ||
| Law and Disadvantaged Persons | ||
| Trial and Appellate Advocacy | ||
| Community Legal Information Clinic Directorship 3 | ||
| Laws, Ethics, and Regulations in Health Services | ||
| Legal Principles of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management | ||
| Total Units | 21 | |
- 1
LEGL 489K and LEGL 490 may be taken more than once for credit.
- 2
LEGL 451A, LEGL 451B/MCGS 451B or LEGL 461 may be used to satisfy this requirement if not used in the major core.
- 3
Only three units may be counted in this section.
Option in U.S. Politics: 19 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Research Methodology | ||
| POLS 521 | Research Experience: An Introduction to Exploring Data in Politics and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| U.S. Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Women and Politics (W) | ||
| The Politics of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | ||
| Latino Politics | ||
| Interest Groups and Lobbying | ||
| U.S. Campaigns and Elections | ||
| U.S. Political Institutions | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| The Presidency | ||
| Congress | ||
| Internship or Practicum | ||
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
| Internship in Criminal Justice | ||
| Internship in Legal Studies | ||
| Legal Clinic Practicum | ||
| Internship in Public Administration | ||
| Work or Community Experience in Selected Governmental or Community Agencies | ||
| Internship in Political Science | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| POLS 399 | Independent Study 2 | 1 |
| POLS 429W | Senior Seminar in U.S. Politics (W) | 3 |
| Elective Requirement | ||
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
Any upper-division Criminal Justice (CRIM), International Relations (INTR), Legal Studies (LEGL), Public Administration (PADM), or Political Science (POLS) courses | ||
| Total Units | 19 | |
- 1
These courses may be used to satisfy this requirements if not used in the major core.
- 2
Must be taken for one unit.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
One of the following GE Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (2) courses is recommended to support the student in any of the options in the political science major:
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Writing and Math Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
Option in International Relations
- INTR 441W Capstone in Comparative Politics and International Relations (W)
Option in Legal Studies
- LEGL 454W Legal Research and Writing (W)
Option in U.S. Politics
- POLS 429W Senior Seminar in U.S. Politics (W)
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE English Composition (1A) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
Definition of Blended Programs
A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.
Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.
Blended Political Science BA + Political Science MA or Political Science BA + Public Administration MPA
Eligibility
In order to apply to the blended program students must have completed 60 undergraduate units. A total of 12 units in the major, including POLS 331W, must be completed before applying.
Application Procedure
Application deadlines: April 1 for fall start, November 1 for spring start.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended program. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an application fee. GRE scores are not required. Students must meet the requirements outlined below to change to blended graduate status and continue toward the master's degree.
Grading Requirement
Once in the blended program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their remaining undergraduate and graduate semesters.
Transition to Graduate Status
Students can transition to the graduate program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Coordinator will verify graduate program eligibility at the end of the semester in which the bachelor's degree is completed. Qualified students change to graduate status effective the following semester.
Requirements for the Blended BA + MA
Legal Studies Option
The blended program allows the courses below to count toward both degrees.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 651 | Seminar in Judicial Politics | 3 |
| POLS 689 | Intern/Fieldwork Public Admin | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Opinion and Survey Design | ||
| Environmental Policy and the Law | ||
| Public Policy Formation | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| Seminar in American Politics | ||
| The U.S. Presidency | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
U.S. Politics Option
The blended program allows up to 12 units from the courses below to count toward both degrees.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 521 | Research Experience: An Introduction to Exploring Data in Politics and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| POLS 632 | Seminar in Political Theory | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Opinion and Survey Design | ||
| Environmental Policy and the Law | ||
| International Public Administration | ||
| The Criminal Justice System: Institutions and Public Policy | ||
| Seminar in Public Administration | ||
| Public Policy Formation | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| The U.S. Presidency | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||
| Select any political science elective including elective courses listed in the MA. | 6 | |
Requirements for the Blended BA + MPA
Legal Studies Option
The blended program allows the courses below to count toward both degrees.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 651 | Seminar in Judicial Politics | 3 |
| or POLS 652 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Health and Human Services | |
| POLS 689 | Intern/Fieldwork Public Admin | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Administration and Democracy | ||
| Environmental Policy and the Law | ||
| Seminar in Public Administration | ||
| Public Policy Formation | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| Seminar in Judicial Politics | ||
| The U.S. Presidency | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
U.S. Politics Option
The blended program allows up to 12 units from the courses below to count toward both degrees.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 521 | Research Experience: An Introduction to Exploring Data in Politics and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| POLS 689 | Intern/Fieldwork Public Admin | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Opinion and Survey Design | ||
| Environmental Policy and the Law | ||
| International Public Administration | ||
| The Criminal Justice System: Institutions and Public Policy | ||
or POLS 661 | Seminar in Public Administration | |
| Public Policy Formation | ||
| Select any BA elective or one-two of the following: | 3-6 | |
| American Institutions and Public Organizations | ||
| Public Policy Formation | ||
| Topics in American Politics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| State and Local Government | ||
| The U.S. Presidency | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||