Academic Catalogs

Political Science, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)

Banner Code: 1_AAT_PSCI

Control Number: 31439

Financial Aid Eligible


Students graduating with an Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer Degree are well positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the Political Science AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.

The Political Science Department facilitates the success of general education students and political science majors by offering lower division courses in each of the sub-fields: American government, international relations, comparative politics, public law, and political theory. Political Science classes emphasize the importance of an informed citizenry, seek to instill the ability to analyze political phenomena in a critical way, and develop the communication skills to convey those analyses to others.

Program Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate an increased awareness of their rights and responsibilities to themselves and to their communities--local,regional, national and global.
  2. Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  2. Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
  4. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU General Education Breadth — Option 2) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC — Option 3).
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Course
PSCI A180/A180HAmerican Government3
List A
Select three of the following:9-10
Introduction to Statistics
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Introduction to Political Science Research Methods
International Relations
Comparative Politics
Introduction to Political Theory
Introduction to Political Science
List B
Select two courses from List A not yet taken or the following:6
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Women, Politics, and Inequality
History of the United States to 1876
History of the United States Since 1876
Survey of Current Issues
Introduction to American Legal System
Program Major Units18-19
CSU or IGETC for CSU 37-39
Transferable elective as needed to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Minimum Degree Units60

Program Sequence - CSU

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PSCI A180
American Government 1
or American Government Honors
3
CSU GE AREA A2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA E - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units12
Semester 2
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876 1
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
3
CSU GE AREA B4 - CHOOSE ONE 2 3-4
CSU GE AREA A3 - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
CSU GE AREA B1 no lab - CHOOSE ONE 3 3
 Units15-17
Year 2
Semester 1
CSU GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA B2 with lab - CHOOSE ONE 3 4
CSU GE AREA C1 OR C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) or ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 4 3
 Units16
Semester 2
CSU GE AREA F - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA D - CHOOSE ONE 5 3
ADT List B Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 6 8
 Units17
 Total Units60-62
1

American Ideals Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement  

2

MATH A160 recommended, counts for ADT List A and CSU GE AREA B4

3

Lab can be taken with B1 or B2

4

Choose an elective if MATH A160 is taken to meet a course for GE AREA B4 and List A

5

Non Political Science Course

6
VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS

Program Sequence - IGETC

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PSCI A180
American Government 1
or American Government Honors
3
IGETC GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE 2 3-4
IGETC GE AREA 3A - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units12-13
Semester 2
HIST A170
History of the United States to 1876 3
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
3
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
IGETC GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
IGETC GE AREA 3A OR 3B - CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 5A no lab - CHOOSE ONE 4 3
 Units15-16
Year 2
Semester 1
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
ADT List A Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
IGETC GE AREA 5B with lab - CHOOSE ONE 4 4
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 3
LOTE: Foreign Language or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 5 3-5
 Units16-18
Semester 2
ADT List B Course - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 3
IGETC GE AREA 1C - CHOOSE ONE or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 6 3
IGETC GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 3B - CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 7 5
 Units17
 Total Units60-64
1

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 4 and CSU Graduation Requirement

2

MATH A160 recommended, counts for ADT List A and IGETC GE AREA 2

3

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 4, CSU Graduation Requirement, and List B selection OR take another course from ADT List B (See Requirements).

4

Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B

5

LOTE Requirement for UC only. If met LOTE through HS then take elective units to meet minimum 60 transferable units

6

IGETC GE Area 1C - CSU Requirement

7

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS