Political Science - IAI Major Course Recommendations

Political Science is the study of the theory and practice of government and politics. Students of politics describe and analyze political systems and behavior. Baccaluaureate programs offer courses in areas such as public administration, public law, international relations, comparative politics, political behavior, political philosophy, and U.S. government. Community and junior college students interested in pursing a bachelor's degree in Political Science are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree prior to transfer. A minimum of 60 semester credits is required for transfer as a junior into a baccalaureate Political Science program. Since admission is competitive, completing the courses recommended below does not by itself guarantee admission.

Be sure to consult the institution you plan on transferring to for course articulations.

Major Directive

Click here to see how courses at Illinois public 4-year institutions accept courses in transfer for this major.

Political Science IAI Major

• Political Science Course Recommendations
  (3-12 semester credits)
  Required Political Science Prerequisite Courses 3 semester credits
  S5 900 - American/U.S. National Government (3 semester credits)- this course will count as an IAI GECC Social and Behavioral Science.
  
  
• Other Political Science Courses up to 9 semester credits S5 902 - American/U.S. and Local Government (3 semester credits)
  S5 903 - Principles of Political Science (3 semester credits)
  S5 904 - International Relations (3 semester credits)
  S5 905 - Comparative Government (3 semester credits)
  S5 906N - Non-Western Comparative Government (3 semester credits)
  PLS 913 - Introduction to Political Philosophy (2-4 semester credits)
  Important Note: After satisfying the basic American government prerequisite (S5900), Political Science majors may need to take additional social science courses to meet General Education requirements at the four year institution they plan to attend. Students are encouraged to work with academic advisors at their community college and at their transfer institution to select a program of courses that will best satisfy academic requirements at their four year college or university.
  
  
• Political Science IAI GECC Recommendations
  (Minimum 37 semester credits)
  These are the specific courses in the Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum (IAI GECC) that should be taken for this emphasis.
  
  Communication: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
  Select a two-course sequence in writing (6 semester credits) with a grade of "C" or better and,
  Select 1 course in oral communication (3 semester credits).
  
  Mathematics: 1 course (3 semester credits)
  
  Physical and Life Sciences: 2 courses (7-8 semester credits)
  Select 1 course from Physical Sciences
  Select 1 course from Life Sciences.
  Select at least 1 laboratory course.
  
  Humanities and Fine Arts: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
  Select 1 course from Humanities,
  Select 1 course from Fine Arts and
  Select 1 from either Humanities or Fine Arts. - Courses can be taken from the same identifier as long as the course outcomes are different.
  
  Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 courses (9 semester credits)
  Select 3 courses from at least 2 different disciplines (e.g., no more than 2 courses from, for example, psychology). - Courses can be taken from the same identifier as long as the course outcomes are different.
  Important Note: After satisfying the basic American government prerequisite (S5900), Political Science majors may need to take additional social science courses to meet General Education requirements at the four year institution they plan to attend. Students are encouraged to work with academic advisors at their community college and at their transfer institution to select a program of courses that will best satisfy academic requirements at their four year college or university.

Check the worksheet to see what courses you can take to fulfill your general education requirements
The worksheet allows you to see what courses to take to fulfill the IAI Gen. Ed. package (Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum) at any participating college or university in the State. You will find it helpful to use the major recommended general education courses shown above. You may want to print or copy a hard copy of this page.

Return to the Illinois Baccalaureate Majors' Recommendations (IAI Majors).