Political Science

Transfer Pathway A.A.

The 60-credit Political Science Transfer Pathway A.A. degree program offers you the powerful opportunity to complete an associate degree and transfer with junior-year status to a designated political science bachelor's degree program at one of seven Minnesota State universities.

As a student in this A.A. degree program, you will complete the Required Political Science Pathway Curriculum (9 credits), General Electives (18 credits), Health/Physical Education coursework (2 credits), and Additional General Education Requirements (31 credits) for a credit total of 60.

Minnesota State universities

Bemidji State University
Metropolitan State University
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Southwest Minnesota State University
St. Cloud State University
Winona State University

Full-time schedule recommendation

See how to schedule your classes each semester to complete your degree in two years.

Full-Time Recommended Course of Study

Part-time schedule recommendation

Recommendations for a part-time schedule are included in the Political Science Program Planning Guide (see below).

Political Science Program Planning Guide

2024-2025 Required Courses

Required Political Science Pathway Curriculum

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	Link Political Science courses beyond the recommended courses are not guaranteed to transfer into a Political Science major at a Minnesota State university. The courses below must be completed successfully according to the university's grade standards AND address the required outcomes in the transfer pathway for Political Science.
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
POLS 1111	Introduction to U.S. Politics Goal 5, 9	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 09 Analyzes United States national government, political parties, campaigns and elections, public opinion, interest groups, media coverage and current political issues. The course will also examine principles of the Constitution, and the structure and behavior of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. In your exploration of contemporary U.S. domestic and foreign policy issues, you will critically examine your own political values, experiences and behaviors. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025
POLS 1101	Introduction to Political Science Goal 5, 8	3
Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 08 Introduces students to major topics, approaches, and methods in Political Science with an emphasis on comparative analysis. Topics will include: purpose and methods of comparison and classification, understanding political processes and public policy (what is politics; purpose of government; common policy challenges). Specifically, you will explore the following foundational concepts: sovereignty, authority, power, institutions, citizenship, society, the state, and political and economic change. In your comparative exploration of the Political Science discipline and contemporary issues, you will critically examine your own political values, experiences and behaviors. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025
POLS 1121 POLS 1161 POLS 1190	State and Local Government OR Introduction to Constitutional Law OR Political Science Internship Goal 5, 9	3
State and Local Government Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 09 Examines state and local government political institutions, behavior, public policies, tax and spending issues. The course will also analyze structure and behavior of state legislatures, governors, courts, and political parties, including the nomination and election process of state and local officials. The course emphasis will be on the Minnesota political system. In your exploration of contemporary Minnesota policy issues, you will critically examine your own political values, experiences and behaviors. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Introduction to Constitutional Law Course Outline Credits: 3 MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 09 Provides students with an overview of the nature and scope of American Constitutional rights and liberties based upon the United States Constitution as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court. In your exploration of contemporary U.S. Constitutional issues, you will critically examine your own political values, experiences and behaviors. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Political Science Internship Course Outline Combines internship at a public policy-related governmental or non-governmental organization with an examination of power, politics, and leadership. Students are responsible for securing their own internship opportunity with the support and guidance of Political Science faculty. Students spend approximately three hours per credit per week at internship location, meet with faculty coordinator at least three times during the semester, develop specific learning goals with both faculty coordinator and internship site supervisor, and submit writing assignments that integrate Political Science concepts with internship experience. Must obtain permission from coordinating faculty member prior to registering for this course. Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025
Total Credits in Required Political Science Pathway Curriculum		9

General Electives

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Any courses numbered 1000 level or higher from any discipline. This may include additional courses from the MnTC and/or Health and Physical Education. ‡	18
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in General Electives		18

Health/Physical Education

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	Health Elective(s)	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	Physical Education Elective(s)	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Health/Physical Education		2

Additional General Education Requirements

Course #	Course Name	Credit(s)
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 1) Communication: ENG1108, ENG 1111 or ENG 1114 or ENG 1130, COMM1100 or COMM1110 or COMM2230 ‡	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 2) Critical Thinking: Satisfied by First Year Experience course or MnTC completion ‡
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) Natural Science (1 course must include lab): Goal 3a (Life Science) course, Goal 3b (Physical Sciences) course ‡	2
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) Mathematical/Logical Reasoning: Goal 4 course ‡	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 5) History/Social Sciences/Behavioral Sciences: Two courses, satisfied by Transfer Pathway, Any additional Goal 5, non-POLS course ‡	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6) Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature: Goal 6a (Fine Arts) course, Goal 6b (Humanities/Literature) course, Any additional Goal 6 course ‡	3
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 7) Human Diversity: Goal 7 course ‡	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 8) Global Perspective: Satisfied by Transfer Pathway ‡
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 9) Ethical and Civic Responsibility: Satisfied by Transfer Pathway ‡
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
	General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 10) People and the Environment: Goal 10 course ‡	1
Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None
Total Credits in Additional General Education Requirements		31

Total Credits:

‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.