Political Science for Transfer
AA-T Degree Political Science · Sierra College · 2025-2026 Catalog
By completing this degree, students will learn about the operation of political authority at the local, national and international levels. Besides studying American political institutions, students will examine other governments, their civil societies, policy issues and decision making. In addition, appreciation will be gained for the growing role of international actors and importance of global issues. Helping to make sense of it all, students will learn scientific methods and theories.
The Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree (AA-T) prepares students to transfer into the CSU system to complete a bachelor’s degree in Political Science or a major deemed similar by a CSU campus. Students earning an associate degree for transfer and meeting the CSU minimum transfer admission requirements are guaranteed admission with junior standing to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Upon transfer, students will be required to complete no more than 60 additional prescribed units to earn a bachelor’s degree.
To earn the Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer degree, students must complete 60 CSU-transferable semester units with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, including both of the following:
- completion of all courses required for the major with grades of “C” or better; and
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
The exact wording of the law pertaining to associate degrees for transfer may be found in Education Code Section 66746.
It is highly recommended that, prior to transferring, students complete courses that satisfy the CSU United States History, Constitution and American Ideals graduation requirement. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
RESTRICTION: International coursework from non-United States regionally accredited institutions cannot be applied to associate degrees for transfer.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 0001 | 3 | |
| Select 9 units from the following: | 9 | |
| POLS 0002 | Introduction to Comparative Government | |
| POLS 0003 | Introduction to International Relations | |
| POLS 0016 | Introduction to Political Theory | |
| POLS 0017 | Introduction to Political Science Research Methods | |
| Select 6 units from the following or unused course from the preceding area: | 6 | |
| POLS 0004 | Russian and East European Political Systems | |
| POLS 0005 | California Politics and Government | |
| POLS 0007 | Politics of the Developing World | |
| POLS 0008 | American Foreign Policy | |
| POLS 0009 | Politics of the Middle East | |
| POLS 0012 | Terrorism | |
| POLS 0027 | Women and Politics in a Global Society | |
| Total Units | 18 | |