What is possible when you integrate faith and politics? Anything.
Political Science explores how we meet the challenges of today in our local communities and beyond. Explore big questions as you learn to integrate faith in politics and advocate for justice, peace and prosperity.
As a political science major at Fresno Pacific University, you'll cover a range of topics – like American public policy, international relations, public finance and civil rights – and study under professors who offer an Anabaptist perspective.
With this degree, you’ll have flexibility in your coursework to add a second major or minor and develop additional areas of interest.
Through the study of politics, you’ll learn to use your voice in the public square.
Program Highlights
Engage in off-campus summer and study abroad programs
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
Participation in political clubs and extracurricular activities
Work one-on-one with faculty to develop your final research project
The political science major provides students with an increased understanding of the political world—both inside and outside of the United States. It does so through a program of study that introduces them to the discipline of political science, engages them in political analysis and enables them to develop a critical understanding of politics and its place in human society. The exploration of things political is rigorously engaged in and informed by a Christian/Anabaptist worldview. Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared to pursue advanced study or a career for which political science is an appropriate background, and to provide service to society reflective of the values expressed in the Fresno Pacific Idea.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Recognize and describe the major issues and debates within the discipline of political science.
Explain the role and impact of governmental entities in contemporary state, national and international settings.
Communicate effectively and appropriately in both oral and written forms, especially through the use of critical analysis in articulation and support of political ideas.
Assess the design and impact of historical and/or contemporary policies.
Evaluate political phenomena in the light of religious and/or ethical values.
Locations Offered
Main Campus Fresno
Degree Pathways
Political Science, B.A. Four Year Pathway
Political Science, B.A. ADT Pathway
Lower Division Major Prerequisites (13 units)
ECON 101 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits 3 or
ECON 102 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits 3
HIST 150 - American Civilization Credits 4
PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits 3
SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociology Credits 3
Required Courses (38 Units)
Core Program (23 units)
PS 120 - American Politics and Society Credits 3
PS 390 - Religion and Politics in America Credits 4 *
PS 440 - Human Rights & International Law Credits 4
PS 476 - Internship Credits 3 *
Select three of the following:
PS 340 - American Public Policy Credits 3
PS 400 - Comparative Politics Credits 3
PS 420 - International Relations Credits 3
PS 450 - History of Political Theory and Ideas Credits 3
Breadth Program (15 units minimum)*
BUS 475 - Law and the Business Environment Credits 3
CRIM 375 - Criminal Justice in America Credits 4
PS 300 - California History and Politics Credits 4
PS 325 - Civil Rights and Liberties Credits 3
PS 365 - Model United Nations Credits 1
PS 371 - American Law and Legal System Credits 3
PS 373 - Nature, Law and Policy Credits 3
PS 400 - Comparative Politics Credits 3
PS 411 - Modern Latin America: History, Politics And Culture Credits 3
PS 412 - Modern Africa: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
PS 414 - Modern Asia: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
PS 416 - Modern Middle East: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
PS 420 - International Relations Credits 3
PS 425 - Global Economics and Sustainable Development Credits 3
PS 430 - US Foreign Policy: History and Contemporary Issues Credits 4
PS 435 - Energy, Economics and Ethics Credits 3
PS 450 - History of Political Theory and Ideas Credits 3
PS 483 - Project in Political Science Credits 1 - 3 (Recommended for graduate study.)
SOC 461 - Introduction to Social Science Research Credits 3 (Recommended for graduate study.)
*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.
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.
First Steps to Admission
Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in) * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
4 years of college preparatory English
3 years of college preparatory mathematics
2 years of social studies
1 year of laboratory science
1 year of performing art
3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind
Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.
All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702 ugadmis@fresno.edu
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.
Non-traditional Admission
Steps for Re-application
For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:
Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission
Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:
Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from FPU
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission
Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:
Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class
Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.
Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.
Incoming requirements
This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.
Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
This guarantee does not apply to “fifth-year” programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor’s degree.
The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to FPU's degree completion programs.
Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.
Two-Year Transfer Guarantee for ADT Pathways
FPU guarantees a student with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from the California Community College system, can complete their degree in just two years. If a student meets the qualification requirements, fulfills the responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete their major in a 2-year period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete their undergraduate degree at FPU.
Incoming requirements
60 transferable units [grades of C- or better] from the California Community College system with a completed ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer)
Selected an ADT matched (similar) pathway from FPU’s undergraduate degree programs
Have completed the necessary pre-requisites in the discipline specific to intended major
Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
Enroll in an average of 15- 18 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
Make up units for any failed or withdrawn courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15-18 units per semester
For TUG you may have to enroll in a summer semester.
Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester time frame.
Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
Any courses from a Community College with “D+” or lower are non-transferable and require additional courses and semesters to graduate.
This guarantee may not apply to students starting in a spring or summer semester start (TUG only).
This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements: 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major.
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)
$3,902
$3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)
$5,026
$5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall Apartments: 3 Person
Fall
Spring
Apartments - Room only
$3,306
$3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)
$3,958
$3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)
$4,514
$4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)
$5,639
$5,639
Stand-Alone Meal Plans
Fall
Spring
70 Block
$651
$651
140 Block
$1,208
$1,208
Full Access Meal Plan
$2,332
$2,332
* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
Notes about housing
For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.
If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.
Financial Aid
Freshman Scholarships
Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.
Name
GPA
Amount
Paragon
Full Tuition
President's
4.00 GPA and above
$18,000
Dean's
3.75-3.99 GPA
$15,000
Heritage
3.50-3.75 GPA
$14,000
Faculty
3.25-3.49 GPA
$12,000
Founder's
Below a 3.0 GPA
$8,000
Transfer Scholarships
To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
$1,000
Federal Loans and Work Study
Name
Amount
Federal Direct
$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS Loan
Up to remaining cost
Workstudy
Contingent on employment
Private Scholarships
Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Net Price Calculator
Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.
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'll also be prepared to pursue graduate studies in related fields.
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.