POLITICAL SCIENCE
Associate in Arts
Program Details
Political Science is an academic and research discipline that deals with the theory and practice of politics, and the description and analysis of political systems/processes, political behavior and political actors. The Political Science program provides students with a core curriculum that will prepare them with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the study of political science. Students will develop skills for critical/analytical thinking, perceptive reading/observation and interpretation, and statistics analysis. A political science background is useful for those interested in working in areas like government/civil service, foreign service, law, journalism, communications, human resources, public relations, non-profits, and business. Two Political Science program tracks prepare students to transfer into UC and CSU programs as well as programs at other four-year institutions or career options. The two tracks offered are: Associate in Arts in Political Science (AA in Political Science) and Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer (AA-T in Political Science).
POLITICAL SCIENCE Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2026-2027. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Bachelor's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 68,860
- High salary: 227,590
- Average salary: 136550
Compliance Managers
Bachelor's degree, Master's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 68,860
- High salary: 227,590
- Average salary: 136550
Loss Prevention Managers
Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 68,860
- High salary: 227,590
- Average salary: 136550
All Careers in POLITICAL SCIENCE (11)
| Political Scientists | Doctoral degree | Stable | 139,380 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Bachelor's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Compliance Managers | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Rising | 136,550 |
| Managers, All Other | - n/a | - n/a | 136,550 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree | Rising | 136,550 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree | Stable | 94,680 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Declining | 64,580 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 58,040 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Analyze the roles of individuals, groups, and institution in political processes.
- Define core terminology integral to the study of politics.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of descriptive and normative theories about politics.
- Explain the interrelationships among political processes.
- Formulate practical responses to political issues/problems.
- Interpret empirical data and qualitative claims.
- Recognize the wide array of political experiences and perspectives.
- Value the importance of increased knowledge of the political world.