As a political science major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll be prepared to meet the challenges of your community and beyond from a foundation of ethics, seeking justice, peace and prosperity. This program will provide you with an increased understanding of the political world—locally, nationally and internationally. Designed to introduce you to the discipline of political science, you’ll be engaged in political analysis and develop a critical understanding of politics and its place in human society. Whether you want to focus on U.S. foreign policy or are interested in nature laws, the flexibility within the major allows you to select courses of interest to you.
Highlights
- Observe and examine political issues through an objective lens informed by a Christian worldview
- Study in Washington, D.C. for a semester through the CCCU American Studies Program
- Opportunities for participation in relevant clubs and extracurricular activities
Career opportunities
With this degree you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers in private and public political organizations, such as local government, journalism, international organizations, political campaigns, interest groups/associations and colleges or universities. You will also be equipped to pursue a wide area of careers including politics, public service, law, business and much, much more. Additionally, this degree will prepare you to pursue advance study.
Course listing
In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University, students must complete at least 120 units. Along with completing all required courses in their selected area of study, general education requirements must be met by all graduates. See the general education summary in the undergraduate academic catalog for more information.
Select programs may not provide enough units for a student to graduate and therefore an emphasis and/or elective courses must be completed alongside the major. Please see below for emphases related to this area of study.
General Education Prerequisites
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 150 | American Civilization | 4 |
| ECON 101 or ECON 102 | Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 or 3 |
| PHIL 100 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| SOC 120 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Required Courses (10 Courses, 31-34 Units)
Core Program (5 Courses, 16 Units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PS 120 | American Politics and Society | 3 |
| PS 390 | Religion and Politics in America * | 4 |
Select three of the following
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PS 371 | American Law and Legal System | 3 |
| PS 400 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PS 420 | International Relations | 3 |
| PS 450 | History of Political Theory and Ideas | 3 |
Breadth Program (18 Units Minimum)*
Select a minimum of five of the following
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BUS 475 | Law and the Business Environment | 3 |
| CRIM 375 | Criminal Justice in America | 4 |
| FIN 452 | Public Finance | 3 |
| PS 300 | California History and Politics | 4 |
| PS 371 | American Law and Legal System | 3 |
| PS 373 | Nature, Law and Policy | 3 |
| PS 380 | Social Problems and Public Policy | 4 |
| PS 385 | Urban Society and the Welfare State | 3 |
| PS 400 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PS 410 | Modern Latin America: History, Politics and Culture | 3 |
| PS 412 | Modern Africa: History, Politics and Culture | 3 |
| PS 414 | Modern Asia: History, Politics and Culture | 3 |
| PS 416 | Modern Middle East: History, Politics and Culture | 3 |
| PS 420 | International Relations | 3 |
| PS 425 | Global Economics and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| PS 430 | US Foreign Policy: History and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| PS 476 | Internship* ** | 3 |
| PS 450 | History of Political Theory and Ideas | 3 |
| PS 465 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| PS 483 | Project in Political Science** | 1-3 |
| SOC 461 | Introduction to Social Science Research** | 3 |
*American Studies Program (15-16 Units)
The American Studies Program (CCCU) in Washington, D.C., may be taken in place of PS 390, PS 476 and two breadth courses.
Recommended Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 462 | Statistics** | 4 |
**Recommended for graduate study
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information
Political Science (AA-T) to Political Science, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
- All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
- BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
- PS 120 American Politics and Society (3)
- This program is offered as daytime traditional
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
Program director
Bret Kincaid, Ph.D.
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Program details
"[Professor Unruh] challenged us and pushed us constantly. He really tried to get us to think holistically when tackling problems. FPU, and especially Professor Unruh, absolutely prepared me for [my] job."
Jane Metcalf
- Political Science BA '08
- District Director for Assemblyman Jim Patterson