Political Science
About the track
Possible UC degree
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Overview
Political science is the study of politics and government. This major helps you understand the world around you – who has power, how they get it, and how they use it. The major teaches you how to read deeply, interpret data, do your own research, and write persuasively. Political Science majors go on to law school, graduate school, and many different careers. Some fields you can work in with a Political Science major include government (for example, the State Department or the CIA), political campaigns, international organizations (for example, the United Nations), non-profits, and business. In fact, many businesses need the skills Political Science majors have, because if you don’t understand politics, policies, laws, and regulations, it’s hard to make good business decisions.
Potential career paths
- State, Local, and Federal Government
- Law
- Non-Profits
- Public Policy
- Public Relations
Learn more about Political Science and what you can do with your major after graduation.
Due to a recent switch to a General Education elective structure, some printed materials may contain outdated course suggestions. Please work with your advisor to ensure you are enrolling in the correct courses.
Coursework
| UC course | Course # | Credits | Meets high school requirement* |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Composition | ENGL 1001 | 3 | English |
| Elementary Statistics | STAT 1034 | 3 | Math |
| Introduction to American Politics | POL 1010 | 3 | Government |
| Foreign Language | - | 3 - 5 | Foreign Language |
| Choose A, B, or C | |||
| A) GE: Arts and Humanities^ | - | 3 | - |
| B) GE: Social and Behavioral Sciences^ | - | 3 | Social Studies |
| C) GE: Natural Sciences^ | - | 3 | Science |
| Total possible credits | 15-17 | ||
| UC course | Course # | Credits | Meets high school requirement* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding the Political World: Democracy and Political Science | POL 1010 | 3 | - |
| Introduction to Political Theory | POL 1040 | 3 | - |
| Introduction to International Relations | POL 1080 | 3 | - |
| Foreign Language | - | 3 - 5 | Foreign Language |
| Choose A or B | |||
| A) GE: Arts and Humanities ^ | - | 3 | - |
| B) GE: Natural Sciences ^ | - | 3 | Science |
| Total possible credits | 15-17 | ||
* Credit applicability is at the discretion of your high school and cannot be determined by UC.
^ Your UC advisor will help you select courses that satisfy the GE (General Education) requirement.