Political science is the study of the processes, principles, and structure of government and political institutions. Students take courses to prepare for a political science major or to fulfill general education requirements.

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in political science pursue careers in education; federal, state, and local government (in areas such as intelligence, foreign affairs, environmental protection); national, state, and local legislation; law; and marketing research.

Academic and Career Pathway

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Contact Information

Chair: John Phillips Dean: Michael Fino https://www.miracosta.edu/academics/degree-and-certificate-programs/social-and-behavioral-sciences/political-science/index.html

Department: Social Science Office: Building OC4800, 760.757.2121 x6924

Full-Time Faculty

John Phillips

Associate Degrees

Associate in Arts Degree

Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer

Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for an American Studies degree, an emphasis or option within an American Studies degree, or a degree considered similar, such as Public Administration, at a participating California State University (CSU) campus.

Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor's degree; however, some CSU campuses accepting this degree may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus not accepting this degree or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as an American Studies or Public Administration major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units. 
• Complete all courses in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
• Complete the Cal-GETC general education pattern. 
• Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable grade point average of 2.0.
• Complete a minimum of 12 semester units in residence at MiraCosta College.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

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

• Transfer to a California State University baccalaureate program in American studies, public administration, or a related major.

Course Requirements

Required Core (26 units):
Understanding the Law (choose one course; 3 units)		3
ADM 100	Introduction to the Administration of Justice *
ADM 200	Concepts of Criminal Law *
BUS 140	Legal Environment of Business
Ethics (one course; 3 units)		3
PHIL 102	Ethical Problems *
Oral Communication (choose one course; 3 units)		3
COMM C1000	Introduction to Public Speaking *
COMM 106	Group Communication
Written Communication (one course; 4 units)		4
ENGL C1000	Academic Reading and Writing *
Critical Thinking (choose one course; 3-4 units)		3-4
COMM 212	Argumentation
ENGL C1001	Critical Thinking and Writing *
ENGL C1001H	Critical Thinking and Writing (Honors) *
PHIL 110	Introduction to Logic
Quantitative Reasoning (choose one course; 3-5 units)		3-5
BTEC 180	Biostatistics *
BUS 204	Business Statistics *
PSYC 104	Statistics for Behavioral Science *
PSYC 104H	Statistics for Behavioral Science (Honors) *
SOC 125	Introduction to Statistics in Sociology *
STAT C1000	Introduction to Statistics *
STAT C1000E	Introduction to Statistics (Embedded Support) *
STAT C1000H	Introduction to Statistics (Honors)
U.S. History (choose one course; 3 units)		3
HIST 110	United States History to 1877 *
HIST 110H	United States History to 1877 (Honors) *
HIST 111	United States History Since 1877 *
HIST 111H	United States History Since 1877 (Honors) *
American Government and Politics (one course; 4 units)		4
POLS C1000	American Government and Politics *
List A: Select two courses from two of the areas listed below (6 units).		6
Courses must not have been used above.
Area 1: Administration of Justice/Criminal Justice/Criminology
ADM 270	Crime and Delinquency
Area 2: Business
BUS 140	Legal Environment of Business
Area 3: Economics
ECON 101	Principles of Economics: MACRO *
ECON 102	Principles of Economics: MICRO *
Area 4: Political Science
POLS 101	Introduction to Political Science *
or POLS 101H	Introduction to Political Science (Honors)
POLS 103	Comparative Government *
POLS 150	Introduction to International Relations *
Area 5: Public Policy
SOC 102	Contemporary Social Problems *
Area 6: Diversity
ANTH 102	Cultural Anthropology *
COMM 215	Intercultural Communication *
GEOG 102	People, Place, and Time: Introduction to Human Geography *
SOC 130	Introduction to Gender Studies *
ETHN 207	Race and Ethnic Relations *
or SOC 207	Race and Ethnic Relations
Area 7: College Success
COUN 100	College and Career Success
Total Units		32-35

*

Course satisfies a general education requirement on the Cal-GETC general education (GE) pattern. To ensure this degree is completed with no more than 60 units, students should select courses that will also satisfy a GE requirement.

Associate in Arts Degree

Political Science for Transfer

Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for a political science degree or a degree considered similar to political science at a participating California State University (CSU) campus.

Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor’s degree; however, some CSU campuses may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus not accepting this degree or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as a political science major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
• Complete all courses in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
• Complete the Cal-GETC general education pattern.
• Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable grade point average of 2.0.
• Complete a minimum of 12 semester units in residence at MiraCosta College.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

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

• Explain and assess the American legislative system of checks and balances.

Course Requirements

Required courses:
Required Core
POLS C1000	American Government and Politics *	4
List A: Select three courses (9 units)		9
POLS 101	Introduction to Political Science *
or POLS 101H	Introduction to Political Science (Honors)
POLS 103	Comparative Government *
POLS 150	Introduction to International Relations *
List B: Select one statistics course and one other course (6-8 units)		6-8
Select one statistics course from the following (3-5 units):
BTEC 180	Biostatistics *
BUS 204	Business Statistics *
PSYC 104	Statistics for Behavioral Science *
PSYC 104H	Statistics for Behavioral Science (Honors) *
SOC 125	Introduction to Statistics in Sociology *
STAT C1000	Introduction to Statistics *
STAT C1000E	Introduction to Statistics (Embedded Support) *
STAT C1000H	Introduction to Statistics (Honors) *
Select one course from the following (3 units):
ADM 100	Introduction to the Administration of Justice *
ADM 200	Concepts of Criminal Law *
ADM 270	Crime and Delinquency
ANTH 102	Cultural Anthropology *
BUS 140	Legal Environment of Business
ECON 101	Principles of Economics: MACRO *
ECON 102	Principles of Economics: MICRO *
PHIL 102	Ethical Problems *
Total Units		19-21

*

Course satisfies a general education requirement on the Cal-GETC pattern. To ensure this degree is completed with no more than 60 units, students should select courses that will also satisfy a general education requirement. Note: The honors version of identified GE courses also satisfy a GE requirement.

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage.