The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree (AA-T) is designed for students planning to transfer into the political science major. Political Science is the study of politics using the skills of social scientific inquiry. Political inquiry examines the human use of power in relationships creating the structures operating human society. Inquiry into politics explores power in its myriad forms and consequences for people as individuals, in groups, and in society. This realm of psycho-socio-political inquiry is an integrated field of study drawing upon all the disciplines of the Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as in the Arts and Humanities.

Upon completion of an AA-T in Political Science, persons have an increased capacity to: demonstrate an overall working knowledge of the principles of governance; demonstrably be able to utilize critical political thinking; and articulate an appreciation of how to apply what is learned in a manner useful in day to day life. This set of outcomes of learning enables students to become more effective citizens in the context of challenges faced by humans in the Modern World System.

Successful completion of the program with a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 affords students specific guarantees for transfer to the CSU system such as admission to a CSU with junior status, priority admission to their local CSU campus and to a program or major in political science or similar major. Students interested in the AA for transfer degree in political science should consult with the departmental faculty chair

Career Opportunities

Careers often pursued by persons with training and degrees in political scientists include (but are not limited to): multiple levels of public service and leadership, attorney, diplomat, FBI/CIA Agent, foreign-service officer, labor organizer/union representative, legislative aide, politician, public intellectual, research specialist, and teacher. Other career options in Public Administration include: government management (City, County, Regional, State or Federal Levels); administrative and policy analysis; policy analysis; non-profit administration; and planning and resources development.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

• Demonstrate a degree of mastery of the state of the discipline of political science {theoretical and practical knowledge of the historical background and the foundational principles of government and governance (utilizing: description, definition, summarization & explanation )}; and a working knowledge of these in use; with respect to inter-relatedness of humans in the environment, engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, and in understanding and acknowledging the significance of daily individual and social actions relative to global issues and the emergence of our shared future. {Foundational Knowledge}

• Demonstrate a degree of proficiency at the life skills of critical political thinking and futures consciousness to better access, evaluate, and interpret ideas found in political philosophy and theory and information enabling people so disciplined to communicate effectively, reach conclusions, and solve problems as citizens - part of the governance structure of a political world - such that they may apply these in their professional pursuits should they choose a path of public service or community leadership, of simply community participants. {Critical Political Thinking}

• Demonstrate a degree of capacity in personal political efficacy to assume responsibility — consistent with democratic republican values — in the application of socio-political concepts explored in this learning experience (class, classes, program) in a meaningful manner to a person’s own self-defined reality in the public, private and social sectors (a) as part of their everyday life as engaged citizens in the modern world system; and (b) in the context of global environmental (and other) challenges. {Personal Enrichment & Lifelong Learning – Psycho-Socio-Political Efficacy}