Political Science - IAI Major Course Recommendations
Political Science is the study of government, politics, and public affairs. Students examine political systems, institutions, behavior, and public policy at the local, national, and international levels. Bachelor's degree programs often include coursework in public administration, public law, international relations, comparative politics, political behavior, political theory, and American government.
Students planning to earn a bachelor's degree in Political Science are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree before transferring. To enter a Political Science program as a junior, students should complete at least 60 semester credit hours. Because admission to some programs is competitive, completion of the recommended coursework does not guarantee admission.
Students should consult their intended transfer institution to confirm course equivalencies, transfer policies, and program requirements.
Note to Faculty and Course Submitters working with IAI Courses:
Before submitting to the IAI Political Science major panel, please review the panel criteria and other important documents which are available at
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 completing the American Government prerequisite (S5900), Political Science majors may need additional Social and Behavioral Sciences coursework to satisfy general education requirements at their intended transfer institution. Students are encouraged to work closely with advisors at both their current institution and their intended transfer institution to select courses that best support their academic goals and degree requirements.
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).