The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree (AA-T in Political Science) program prepares students to analyze practices of power by evaluating the policy-making functions of government, both in the United States and in other countries, social movements, war, and revolution, among other topics. Political science majors receive thorough training in a broad range of quantitative and qualitative methods and learn to conduct research on topics of interest to contemporary political scientists, preparing them for transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Political Science or related area. Students must complete the Associate Degree for Transfer requirements to earn the AA-T degree.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Identify the primary theories and methods associated with the four major subfields of the political science.
• Explain the relationship of political outcomes (i.e., constitutions, laws, treaties, wars, etc.) to the institutional structures that have produced them.
• Identify the primary variables in the political development of the institutions of U.S. government.
• Relate the primary theories of political motivation to the actions of political actors, both individual and institutional.

Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree Major Requirements

Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.  
 

The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.

Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence

MPC transfer programs are designed to enable students to complete lower-division requirements in preparation for transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution.

The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (Senate Bill 1440, codified in California Education Code sections 66746-66749) guarantees admission to California State University (CSU) system for any community college student who earns an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), although not to a particular campus or major. Upon transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T), students will be required to complete no more than 60 upper-division units to earn a bachelor’s degree in a same or similar major (unless designated as a “high-unit” major).

The following Associate Degree for Transfer requirements must be completed to earn the AA-T or AS-T degree:

1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units;
2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework (while a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA);
3. Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units as detailed in the Major Requirements;
4. Completion of all courses in the major with a grade of C or better (or a “P” if the course is taken on a “Pass/No Pass” basis);
5. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth) pattern; OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.

All students should consult with a Counselor to discuss transfer pathways and specific university admission requirements. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling services provided by MPC and to connect with a Counselor.