Special Conditions for the Bachelor of Arts and Minor in Political Science
All courses counted toward the major or minor in political science, including Preparation for the Major courses, must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, except PSCI internship courses, which must be completed with a grade of credit.
A minimum of 27 units counted toward the major and 9 units counted toward the minor must be earned in residence at Cal State San Marcos. Transferring units to the PSCI major or minor requires faculty advisor approval, and this process requires documentation that transferred units incorporated a satisfactory writing component, as well as a transcript record, course syllabus, and catalog course description. Additionally, lower-division units will not be transferred or substituted for upper-division course listings and requirements at CSUSM.
No more than nine (9) units of internship (PSCI 495), independent study (PSCI 498), and/or independent research (PSCI 499) may be applied toward the major. Internship, independent study, and independent research may be applied to field distribution depending on content of the course of study. No more than six (6) units of PSCI 495, PSCI 498, and/or PSCI 499 may be counted toward the minor.
Majors in the Global Concentration must complete three (3) upper-division units outside political science in courses that deal with global issues. This course must be approved by an advisor. Political science majors are strongly encouraged to take PSCI 100 prior to taking upper-division political science courses.
Senior Seminar in Political Science (PSCI 494 ) is a capstone course designed to be taken in the final semester of the major. Instructor consent is required, and these prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better before the student can enroll in Senior Seminar: PSCI 301 , PSCI 331 , PSCI 350 , PSCI 370 . Majors are strongly encouraged to take all of these prerequisites for the capstone as early as possible in their program of study to better prepare themselves for upper-division coursework in the major.
Upper-division political science courses are grouped into four fields: U.S. Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory. Courses designated as “General” Political Science courses can be utilized to fulfill field requirements, but students must consult with their advisors to determine how these courses can be used. In addition, PSCI 337 may be used as an elective for three (3) units of upper-division credit within the U.S. Government and Politics field.
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