Political Science Associate of Arts
My Academic Plan
Courses are displayed to show the fastest path to your degree and
should be completed in the order listed. If you are unable to complete all courses listed in a semester,
complete as many courses in this sequence as your schedule allows. If you have questions or concerns about your MAP, please
see your Pathways Advisor.
Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree at the community college and transfer to a university to complete a BA in Political Science. Students explore governmental structure and processes. Careers often require a BA degree or higher. Political Science is the study of the political process, and its students understand the difference between an opinion and an argument. Political science graduates have a passion for political life not only locally, but also globally. Students will discover the origin, development, and operation of political systems and public policy. This program introduces students to Political Science and it includes courses that are common to all four-year institutions in Colorado. Career paths for Political Science degree holders include much more than running for political office. They also include public service, law, international relations, business, political campaigns, and working for charitable organizations. The Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Political Science prepares students to complete the second half of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science at a four-year university.
Learn more about this program.
First Semester
| POS 105 | Intro to Political Science: GT-SS1 | 3 |
| ENG 121 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| ECO 202 | Principles of Microeconomics: GT-SS1 | 3 |
| GT- HI1 | HIS 122/236 or Any GT-HI1 | 3 |
| GT- AH | PHI 111/112 or Any GT-AH | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
| POS 111 | American Government: GT-SS1 | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| ECO 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics: GT-SS1 | 3 |
| GT- MA1 | MAT 135/121 or Any GT-MA1 | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | HIS 247 or Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Third Semester
| POS 225 | Comparative Government: GT-SS1 | 3 |
| GT- SC1 | ENV 101, GEO 111/112, or Any GT-SC1 | 4 |
| GT- AH | LIT 115 or Any GT-AH | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | SOC 101 or Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | PSY 102 or Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Semester Notes: POS 225 is offered at Larimer Campus in the fall semester and Westminster Campus in spring semester.
Fourth Semester
| POS 205 | International Relations: GT-SS1 | 3 |
| GT- SC1 | ENV 101, GEO 111/112, or Any GT-SC1 | 4 |
| ELECTVE | COM 115 or Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | GEO 105/106 or Any Approved Elective List Course | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | PSY 226 or Any Approved Elective List Course | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Semester Notes: POS 205 is offered at Larimer Campus in spring semester and Westminster Campus in fall semester.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Important Program Notes:
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you may complete ENG 121 (GT-CO1) and ENG 122 (GT-CO2) OR ENG 122 (GT-CO2) and gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3).
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), ECO 201 and ECO 202 are required Social & Behavioral Sciences (GT-SS) courses.
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), if POS 105, POS 111, POS 225, and/or POS 225 are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credit toward graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you must take two gtPathways Natural & Physical Sciences courses (GT-SC1).
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), additional Political Science (POS) courses beyond the 4 courses (12 credit hours) identified above may not count toward the Political Science major at the receiving 4-year institution. See explanation in Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA) under the Limitation section.
If you take MAT 120 and/or more credits in mathematics or science than are listed, it will reduce the 16 credits of electives needed. You must complete 60 credits to earn your Associate of Arts degree. You should not exceed 62 credits. You may want to check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress and select your electives.
You may take POS 205 and POS 225 in either Semester 3 or Semester 4. You should take the course that is offered at your preferred campus or online depending on course availability. POS 225 is offered at Larimer Campus in the fall semester and Westminster Campus in spring semester. POS 205 is offered at Larimer Campus in spring semester and Westminster Campus in fall semester. Campus offerings vary by semester. You must take BOTH POS 205 and POS 225 to successfully complete the AA degree in Political Science.