Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Political Science

Announcement: This program does not include the following course required for completion:

POS210 - This course is available at CGCC, GCC, MCC, SCC.

Due to the pandemic, courses are being offered online or in hybrid formats. Please contact a Rio advisor for the most current information. All courses completed at any Maricopa Community College are transferable to Rio based on District policy. Estimated additional costs would be consistent with your current tuition rate.

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Political Science degree provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in political science. With a bachelor`s degree, students may pursue a career as social science research assistants, city and regional planning aides, public relations specialists and managers, reporters, and social and community service managers. With a graduate degree, students may pursue employment opportunities in several careers, including political scientists, political science professors, and lawyers.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

Develop and sustain a lifelong interest in local, national, and global civic engagement through active citizenship.
Define, cite examples of, differentiate between, and critique basic political concepts, systems, and theories.
Apply knowledge of politics by using the theoretical foundations and analytical tools of multiple sub-fields of political science.
Appraise a situation, formulate an argument; collect, evaluate, and utilize evidence about key issues of public policy and politics.
Demonstrate effective communication skills for a diverse, political world.
Collaborate effectively and ethically with diverse individuals and institutions to achieve common goals.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Lawyers

$106,330 Show expanded career information for Lawyers

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

$48,780 Show expanded career information for News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

$70,890 Show expanded career information for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Political Scientists

$92,500 Show expanded career information for Political Scientists

Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

$95,900 Show expanded career information for Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

Public Relations Specialists

$56,510 Show expanded career information for Public Relations Specialists

Social and Community Service Managers

$63,920 Show expanded career information for Social and Community Service Managers

Social Science Research Assistants

$47,030 Show expanded career information for Social Science Research Assistants

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2019.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include AAA/CPD150, AAA/CPD150AC, CPD104, and AAA115/CPD115. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the available transfer institutions and what degrees you may be able to transfer into.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated.

Additional courses that are specific to your selected option will be highlighted with a blue border.

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Political Science
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Arizona State University (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Science, Political Science
Arizona State University (College of Integrative Sciences and Arts), Bachelor of Science, Political Science
Arizona State University (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Arizona State University (New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences), Bachelor of Science, Political Science
Northern Arizona University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Northern Arizona University, Bachelor of Science, Political Science
University of Arizona, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Grand Canyon University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, State and Local Public Policy Emphasis
Grand Canyon University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Legal Studies Emphasis

Full-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1 Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
POS110	American National Government		Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
AAA/CPD115 or AAA/CPD150 or AAA/CPD150AC or CPD104	Creating College Success or Strategies for College Success or Educational and Career Planning or Career and Personal Development				0–3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).	Critical course Critical Course	FYC	3
MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142	College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115.		MA	3–5
Transfer Option
Transfer Option
Language	Second Language Requirement, 101 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended.		3–4
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		0–3
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Political Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended. or Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3–5
POS Elective	Political Science Elective		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: ASB, COM, ECN, GCU, HST, JHR, POS, PSY, SBS, SOC, or WST.		3–5
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Political Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended. or Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		5
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Political Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended.		5

Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
POS120 or POS140	World Politics or Comparative Government			G, SB	3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective				3
Transfer Option					3
Transfer Option					0–3
Transfer Option					0
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or permission of Instructor).		L	0–3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC	3
HU	Humanities, Arts and Design (HU) Course				3
POS120 or POS130 or POS140	World Politics or State and Local Government or Comparative Government		It is recommended that students take 6 credits from POS120, POS140 or POS130.	G, SB or SB	3
Language	Second Language Requirement, 102 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended.		3–5
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		0–3
POS120 or POS130 or POS140	World Politics or State and Local Government or Comparative Government		Students must select 6 credits from POS120, or POS140 or POS130.	G, SB or SB	3
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
POS120 or POS130 or POS140	World Politics or State and Local Government or Comparative Government		It is recommended that students take 6 credits from POS120, POS140 and POS130.	G, SB or SB	3
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
POS120 or POS140	World Politics or Comparative Government			G, SB	3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Political Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended. or Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: ASB, COM, ECN, GCU, HST, JHR, POS, PSY, SBS, SOC, or WST.		3–5
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: ASB, COM, ECN, GCU, HST, JHR, POS, PSY, SBS, SOC, or WST.		3
POS120 or POS140	World Politics or Comparative Government			G, SB	3
POS Elective	Political Science Elective		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: ASB, COM, ECN, GCU, HST, JHR, POS, PSY, SBS, SOC, or WST.		3
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: ASB, COM, ECN, GCU, HST, JHR, POS, PSY, SBS, SOC, or WST.		3
POS120 or POS140	World Politics or Comparative Government			G, SB	3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Political Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended. or Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		3
POS120 or POS140	World Politics or Comparative Government			G, SB	3
POS Elective	Political Science Elective		Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
POS120 or POS140	World Politics or Comparative Government			G, SB	3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Political Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended.		3
POS120 or POS140	World Politics or Comparative Government			G, SB	3
POS Elective	Political Science Elective				3

Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3 Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
POS Elective	Political Science Elective				3
POS210	Political Ideologies			SB	3
Transfer Option					0
Transfer Option
COM225	Public Speaking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.		L	3
SQ	Natural Sciences SQ Course				4
CS	Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications				3
Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended.		3–5
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		0–3
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Related Course	Related Area Course		Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Politcal Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended. or Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3–5
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Politcal Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended. or Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3–5
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Politcal Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended. or Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		5
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective		Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Politcal Science Elective		If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended.		5
POS130	State and Local Government			SB	3

Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4 Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
POS285	Political Issues and Public Policy		SB	3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective			3
Transfer Option
Transfer Option
Transfer Option
HU	Humanities, Arts and Design (HU) Course			3
SQ or SG	Natural Sciences SQ or SG Course			4
POS120 or POS130 or POS140	World Politics or State and Local Government or Comparative Government	It is recommended that students take 6 credits from POS120, POS140 and POS130.	G, SB or SB	3–6
Language	Second Language Requirement, 201 Level	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended.		3–5
Related Course	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		0–3
POS120 or POS130 or POS140	World Politics or State and Local Government or Comparative Government	It is recommended that students take 6 credits from POS120, POS140 and POS130.	G, SB or SB	3–6
Related Course	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
POS120 or POS130 or POS140	World Politics or State and Local Government or Comparative Government	It is recommended that students take 6 credits from POS120, POS140 and POS130.	G, SB or SB	3–6
Related Course	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Language	Second Language Requirement	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. Related Area Course recommended.		3–5
Related Course	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Related Course	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Related Course	Related Area Course	Must transfer to ASU as a direct equivalent or departmental elective in one of the following ASU course prefixes: AES, AFR, AIS, APA, ASB, ASM, COM, ECN, FAS, GCU, GPH, HST, JUS, MIS, PHI, PSY, REL, SGS, SOC, TCL, or WST		3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Politcal Science Elective	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended. or Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		3–5
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective	Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective	Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective	Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective	Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective	Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective	Students may select up to 15 credits of course work that transfers to NAU as a POS direct equivalent or a POS departmental elective.		0–3
Language or POS Elective	Second Language Requirement or Politcal Science Elective	If proficient at this level, see your program advisor to select an elective. POS Elective recommended.		3–5
POS285	Political Issues and Public Policy		SB	3
POS Elective	Politcal Science Elective			3
POS Elective	Political Science Elective

Pathway Map Option Details

No pathway map option has been selected. Please select from the pathway map options listed above.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
H = Historical Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design

L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s curriculum website for the Associate in Arts in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Political Science (http://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=158332).

Other Versions

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. Other versions of this pathway map from different catalog years are available below:

Catalog Year	Effective Dates
2020-2021	5/26/2020 – 5/24/2021
2019-2020	5/28/2019 – 5/25/2020
2018-2019	5/29/2018 – 5/27/2019