Political Science, B.A.

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

Program director

Bret Kincaid, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Program Director, Political Science, Pre-Law & Individualized M.A.

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Program details

Delivery mode

On campus

Locations

Fresno Main Campus

Related programs

Political Science Minor

"[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

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