Degrees and Programs

Program Description

The political science curriculum helps students to acquire an organized body of knowledge about government and to think analytically about public policy, law, and politics. The political science degree prepares graduates to enter careers in government, public service, public administration, public policy analysis, legislative advocacy, business, international relations, and teaching. Many Cal State East Bay political science graduates continue their academic careers in law school, or in the pursuit of graduate degrees in political science or public policy analysis.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Political Science will be able to:

  1. develop and articulate an understanding of democratic theory and practice and gain practical experience in politics, public policy, and civic engagement.
  2. demonstrate through oral and written competency, an understanding of the theories, concepts, empirical content, and research agendas of the fields of political science with advanced understanding in the selected option.
  3. demonstrate an understanding of political culture in the U.S. and around the world including the economic, ideological, ethnic and cultural groups and movements that engage the political process.
  4. articulate career goals, demonstrate knowledge of how to achieve those goals, and produce evidence of working to achieve the goals.
  5. demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge through collaborative learning and teamwork.

Preparation

For Advanced Placement course equivalencies, see Registration chapter.

Major Requirements (B.A.)

Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The regular major consists of 39 units; the Pre-Law option consists of 39 units; the Public Affairs and Administration option consists of 39 units. The B.A. degree requires a total of 120 units.

  • Also see "Pre-Law Students" later in this chapter.

    Students taking this option will focus their coursework in legal studies. Completion of this program will lead to a B.A. degree, major in Political Science with an option in Pre-Law. The total required for the major with Pre-Law option is 39 units. The total required for the B.A. degree is 120 units.

    The semester before you expect to graduate, complete a major check sheet and inquire about other requirements for graduation. The following is an outline indicating specific courses and options necessary for completing the option in pre-law.

    1. Core Requirement Courses (24 units)

      • POSC 101 American Political Institutions (3)
      • POSC 102 Public Policy/California Politics (3)
      • POSC 300 The Study of Political Science (3)
      • One upper division course in American Government (3)
      • One upper division course in Public Policy and Administration (3)
      • One upper division course in Comparative Government and Policy (3)
      • One upper division course in International Relations (3)
      • One upper division course in Political Theory (3)

    2. Electives (12 units)

      • BUS 370 or any course not already taken listed as American Government or Public Policy and Admin groups  (3)
      • Concentration Elective (3)
      • Concentration Elective (3)
      • Concentration Elective (3)

    3. Capstone (3 units)

      • POSC 499 Political Science Seminar (3)

    1. Core Requirement Courses (24 units)

      1. POSC 101 American Political Institutions (3)
      2. POSC 102 Public Policy/California Politics (3)
      3. POSC 300 The Study of Political Science (3)
      4. American Government (3)
      5. Public Policy and Administration (3)
      6. Comparative Government and Policy (3)
      7. International Relations (3)
      8. Political Theory (3)

    2. Traditional Concentration (12 units)

      1. Public Law (3)
      2. Concentration Elective (3)
      3. Concentration Elective (3)
      4. Concentration Elective (3)
    3. Capstone (3 units)
      1. POSC 499 (3)

  • Students taking this option will concentrate their coursework in American political institutions, public policy, and administrative processes. Completion of this program will lead to a B.A. degree major in Political Science, with an option in Public Affairs and Administration.

    The major with this option consists of 39 units; the B.A. requires a total of 120 units. The course requirements for this option are as follows:

    1. Core Requirements Courses (24 units)

      • POSC 101 American Political Institutions (3)
      • POSC 102 Public Policy/ California Politics (3)
      • POSC 300 The Study of Political Science (3)
      • American Government (3)
      • Public Policy and Administration (3)
      • International Relations (3)
      • Political Theory (3)

    2. Public Affairs and Administration Concentration (12 units)

      1. ACCT 210 or STAT 100 (3)
      2. Service Requirement POSC 495 or POSC 498 (3)
      3. Concentration Elective (3)
      4. Concentration Elective (3)
    3. Capstone (3 units)
      1. POSC 499 (3)

Pre-Law Students

The study of law is a postgraduate professional program, requiring three years of full-time study beyond the completion of the bachelor's degree. No specific pre-law undergraduate program is required for admission to law schools. However, students wishing to focus on legal studies at Cal State East Bay, may complete the Pre-Law option in the Political Science major.

The pre-law student's undergraduate plan of study should include among its objectives a facility in the proper use of written and spoken English, a sampling of undergraduate law courses, one or more critical/logical thinking courses, and a basic understanding of government and economics. Some law schools recommend that students take a basic accounting course, particularly if they are interested in business or tax law.

Most accredited law schools require that applicants complete the Law School Admission Test. The LSAT is typically given in September, December, February, and June at one or more testing centers in the Bay Area. Pre-law students should obtain LSAT registration materials and law school applications early in their senior year.

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.

Minor Requirements

The minor consists of 18 units of Political Science courses of which at least 12 units must be in upper division. The purpose of the Minor in Political Science is to provide a general background in political science to complement majors in such areas as business administration, environmental studies, science, humanities, and the other social sciences. The student should consult with a Political Science department advisor or the chairperson in selecting courses.

Political Science Internship (POSC 495)

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  • 1. Do I need an internship to meet my graduation requirements?


    Only students with a concentration in public administration are required to have internship experience to meet graduation requirements. 

    All students are encouraged to pursue an internship purely for practical experience, professional development, or personal growth. 

    2. What kind of internships qualify for academic credit?

    Your internship should be politics-related, which includes a broad range of areas such as:

    • Campaign work
    • Advocacy efforts
    • Policy-related positions
    • Political offices (local, state, or national)

    If you are unsure whether the internship qualifies, please contact the department's internship coordinator. 

    1. Do I need to find my own internship?

    Yes, students are responsible for finding their own internships. To support your search, students are encouraged to use the to search for existing partnerships with organizations. You can filter by focus area to find relevant opportunities.

    If you have already secured an internship with an organization not in CalStateS4, please contact the department's internship coordinator for next steps. 

    4. When should I start looking for internships? Are there any deadlines I should be aware of?

    Your internship must take place during the same semester in which you are seeking academic credit. Internships from previous terms cannot be applied retroactively. To receive academic credit for your internship, it’s important to plan ahead. Students are strongly encouraged to begin searching for and securing an internship before the start of the semester. This gives you enough time to complete the necessary paperwork and ensures a smooth enrollment process.

    You must be enrolled before the University’s Last Day to Add classes (See ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Important Dates). If you delay and enter the late add period, you will be responsible for late fees. 

    Students need to plan accordingly. To avoid any complications, do not wait until the last minute. Additionally, the department requires 1-2 business days to process internship requests. If your internship is in an organization that is not currently in the CalStateS4 system, this process may take longer. 

    1. I have a paid internship. Can I receive academic credit also?

    If you have a paid internship, lucky you! As long as the internship meets the academic and political relevance criteria, paid internships are fully eligible for academic credit.

    6. Can I use my current place of employment to receive internship credit?

    The Political Science department does not offer academic credit for current employment. However, if your current organization is politically relevant, you may be eligible for academic credit if you are hired separately in an internship role with clearly defined duties and learning objectives.

    The purpose of the internship for credit is to provide you with new experiences, help you develop professional skills, and encourage you to grow beyond your current role. If you’re unsure whether a revised internship role qualifies, please check with the department internship coordinator. 

    7. How many hours do I need to complete?

    You must complete a minimum of 120 hours during the semester to receive academic credit. Please note that internship sites may require more hours than this.

    8. What are the academic expectations?

    In addition to completing hours in the organization, students are expected to submit an assignment to receive academic credit. The assignment will vary by faculty supervisor. This can include a reflection piece, weekly or bi-weekly journal entries, or an oral presentation. 

    1. How do I enroll in POSC 495?

    Once you have secured an internship, contact the department internship coordinator. Please provide your netID, organization, and site supervisor's name. 

    10. Who can I contact if I have more questions?

    The department internship coordinator, Dr. Le (danvy.le@csueastbay.edu) will be able to answer any additional questions you may have.