Political Science

Major Requirements (SF State Bulletin: Degree Requirements)

Roadmap (SF State Bulletin: Roadmap)

GE Requirements (SF State Bulletin: General Education)

Major Department Website

Your major advisor answered a few questions to assist you with your first semester courses — see below.

General Information
What are some of the highlights and features to know about this major?

We have five subfields: American politics, political theory, comparative politics, public law and public administration and policy. We ask that students take courses in at least three of the five subfields and we also have a capstone course, a senior seminar, in one of the subfields to cap off the major.

[click here to find subfield — scroll down halfway]
When should I first meet with my major department? As soon as you get here. We are always happy to talk to incoming students.
How will I be assigned to a major advisor, and how do I contact them? Each semester students are assigned a major advisor. The student can look up the advisor’s office hours and go see him or her during that time.
Where can I find information about major advising? https://politicalscience.sfsu.edu
What should I do if my major core and/or prequisite courses are full? Talk to one of our advisors or the chair of the department.
AIs there anything else I need to know about starting in this major? We have several internship courses, one 603/604 for general internships and a particular one to work in a court 610/611. These are part of the general curriculum.

Transfer Student Info
What upper division courses should I take in my first semester as a transfer student for this major?

Any one of our breadth courses will be good to take. A breadth is any upper-division class on our list of breadth courses. Once you take a breadth course in one of our subfields, another course in that same subfield counts as an elective.

[click here to find subfield — scroll down halfway]
Are there any prerequisites to these upper division courses for the major?

PLSI 478 is the only course that is a prerequisite for other upper division courses. This is the entry point for courses in public law so if you want to take that track, we recommend that you take 478 earlier rather than later.
Are there any registration blocks or holds in the system for this major, and if so, what do I do/who do I contact to clear them? None.
Is there any pre-work that a student will need to complete with the department prior to orientation and registering for courses? No.
Is there an approved ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer) roadmap for the major?

Yes, Political Science (AA-T).

[ Click here for ADT roadmap ]

Freshmen Student Info
Are there any courses I should take first as a Freshman to get started in this major and/or are there any lower division GE course requirements that I can take that will also count toward this major? We suggest that students take the three core courses, PLSI 200 (Introduction to American Politics), PLSI 250 (Introduction to Comparative Politics) and PLSI 275 (Introduction to Political Theory) in their first or second year.
They might also want to consider taking the final core course, PLSI 300 Scientific Inquiry either at the end of their sophomore year or the beginning of their junior year.
Are there entry or prerequisite requirements for these Freshmen courses?
 

None.
Can any of my AP or IB tests count toward requirements in this major?
 

AP American Politics will give you college credit but it won’t place you out of PLSI 200.

AP comparative politics will give you credit plus it will place you out of PLSI 250.

College of Liberal & Creative Arts Advising Resource Center (ARC)

Services provided for: Undergraduate students pursuing a major, minor or certificate in the College of Liberal and Creative Arts.

Services offered: Academic planning, general education advising, academic probation advising, petition consultation, career prep and planning, major career exploration, graduation check (GE and graduation requirements), study abroad, connecting with communities and discovering campus resources.

Phone: (415) 338-1486
Website: advisinglca.sfsu.edu
Email: achieve@sfsu.edu
Location: HUM 112