Political Science is the study of who has the power to make laws for society, the institutional structures that guide how this power is used, and the impact of public policies on society. Our graduates have gone on to serve in Congress, in the state legislature, as city managers, urban planners, city council members, lawyers and judges, mayors, union leaders, business owners, educators, non-profit managers, military officers, civic organizers, and more. Numerous leaders in the San Joaquin Valley are our graduates.

Political parties; citizen political advocacy; election of public officials; political institutions

Military and economic power; political violence; democratic peace; international organizations; globalization; nationalism; imperialism; environmental politics; foreign policies of specific nations

Freedom and individual rights, democracy, majority rule, equality, law and authority, power, the constitutional foundation of American government, social class and structure, revolution

Program Outcome

Lower-division core:
PLSI 1, PLSI 90 (6 units)
(to be completed prior to or concurrently with enrollment in the first 6 units of upper-division major courses)

Upper-division core:
PLSI 110 or PLSI 111, PLSI 120, PLSI 140, PLSI 150 (12 units)

Upper-division Political Science electives:
(exclude PLSI 102) (18 units)

Capstone Course:
select from PLSI 158I, PLSI 192, PLSI 193, SSCI 102H (3 units)

2. General Education requirements (48 units)


American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing

4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)

Curriculum

Career Opportunities

1. Submit a Cal State Apply online application and pay $70 USD (non-refundable) by credit card.

Submit the Paper Application. To avoid errors, please type your information in the fillable form. Then, pay $70 USD (non-refundable) by credit card. Or, it can be paid by check, money order, or bank draft. Please make it payable to "California State University, Fresno".

2. Official English language proficiency (Institutional Code: 4312)

(also email in an unofficial score report along with other required documents).

IELTS – 6.0 or with a 5.5 Band score in each section, or

AP English Language and Composition - 3 or higher, or

AP English Literature and Composition - 3 or higher, or

GTEC (Global Test of English Communication) - 1095, or

IB Eng A Language and Literature - HL4, or

Fresno State's American English Institute - Advanced Level, or

FLS International Language School – Level 16, or

3. Original or certificated copies of in-progress or final transcripts:

High school (or secondary and higher secondary) transcripts, mark sheets, or grade reports with literal English translation.

4. Graduation certificate: If you graduated from high school, please submit a copy of the graduation certificate or diploma.

5. Passport: Submit a copy of the information/photo passport page.

6. Personal Statement: Statement of purpose, principal's or teacher's recommendation is encouraged but not required.

7. Financial document (no older than 6 months) and Affidavit of Support from sponsors showing the amount and source of support for a minimum of one school year of study. For details, please review the estimated yearly cost table.

*You may submit the two items after receiving the acceptance from the university.

First-Time Freshmen Admission Requirements

The California State University (CSU) will continue to temporarily suspend the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses for the 2023-2024 academic year. First-time freshmen must meet the following eligibility requirements: a) be a high school graduate or equivalent; b) complete the 15-unit comprehensive “a-g” pattern of college preparatory course; and c) earn a qualifying “a-g” grade point average (GPA) as described below.

First-Time Freshmen applicants to Fresno State for the fall 2023 semester will be evaluated using two criteria: 1) qualified “a-g” college-prep high school coursework including in-progress or planned courses during the 12th grade, and 2) the “a-g” coursework GPA.

Applicants will be considered eligible for admission to Fresno State if they meet one of the following:

Graduate of a California high school or resident of California who have a-g coursework GPA of 2.5 or above, and have met the minimum “a-g” coursework requirements.

Non-graduate of a California high school or non-resident of California who have a-g coursework GPA of 3.00 or above, and have met the minimum “a-g” coursework requirements.

If capacity permits, the following supplemental factor will be utilized for Fresno State applicants who fall below the CSU minimum a-g coursework GPA:

For California high school graduates or residents of California earning an “a-g” GPA of 2.00-2.49 and non-California residents with an “a-g” GPA of 2.47-2.99, Fresno State will utilize any additional “a-g” courses taken above the required 30-semester minimum (15- unit comprehensive “a-g” pattern of college preparatory course).

The information below explains how Fresno State will determine a first-time freshman applicant’s eligibility for fall 2023:

Students who meet the first-time Freshman CSU admissions requirements and have a GPA of 2.0 (CA HS graduates/CA residents) OR 2.47 (non-CA HS graduates and Non-Residents) will be considered for admissions. Students will be admitted based on the capacity of the program (major).

Fresno State will determine eligibility using an Admission Score (GPA x 800), where the GPA is earned in “a-g” courses taken the summer after the 9th grade through the summer after the 11th grade, to meet the Admission Score set by the University or programs.

All applicants in our “local area” with an “a-g” GPA of 2.0 and above will benefit from an additional 100 Local Advantage Points towards their admission score.

Admissions Option 2

Master

Social Sciences

Political Science

California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is a nationally ranked, four-year and above, accredited university located in central California, with 68 undergraduate degree programs and 45 master's degree programs. Our vibrant student body consists of 25,000+ students annually, with international students representing 70+ countries. Each year, academics at Fresno State steadily gain more attention with the release of national rankings. Recent reports from Washington Monthly Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, and Money Magazine put our University in league with University of California campuses and Ivy League institutions.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Key Information

Introduction

Program Outcome

Curriculum

Career Opportunities

Admissions

About the School

Questions