60 Credits
The Political Science Transfer Pathway AA offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Political Science bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.
Employers regard Political Science as one of the two most highly-prized social science degrees among employees. Why do employers desire students who study power and government and can hold national and international perspectives on topics? Because businesses, non-profit organizations, government, public service, law, media, education, and more need and admire the rare combination of knowledge, talent, and skills that Political Science students develop.
Political Science students uniquely combine wide-ranging knowledge with skills at research, analysis, and communication. These traits make students supremely qualified to work in the Information Age. Professional life increasingly requires collecting, organizing, applying, evaluating, and presenting information and ideas, as well as thinking critically, solving problems creatively, demonstrating cross-cultural understanding, and working individually and collaboratively.
Universities within the Minnesota State system include Bemidji State University; Metropolitan State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University Moorhead; Southwest Minnesota State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.
Required Courses
Incorporate the following Required Courses into the General Education/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum or Additional Course Requirements sections below.
Complete one of the following two courses:
| POLS 1132 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 cr |
| POLS 1150 | Introduction to World Politics and Globalization | 3 cr |
Complete one of the following seven courses:
Students May Take POLS 1132 or POLS 1150 (whichever was not used to satisfy the required course above)
General Education/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) – 40 Credits
*See MnTC Curriculum for specific course options
Goal 1: Communication – 2 Courses
Goal 2: Critical Thinking
(Met by completion of all 40 credits of the MnTC)
Goal 3: Natural Sciences – 2 Courses
(Select from two different departments; at least one must include a lab)
Course #1 _______________
Course #2 _______________
Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning – 1 Course
MATH 1080 or MATH 1090 or MATH 1095 recommended
Course __________________
Goal 5: History and Social/Behavioral Sciences – 2 Courses
(Select from two different departments)
Course #1 - met by taking required POLS courses
Course #2 _______________
Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts- 2 Courses
(Select from two different departments)
Course #1 _______________
Course #2 _______________
Goal 7: Human Diversity – 1 Course
Course __________________
(can be met by taking POLS 1195)
Goal 8: Global Perspective – 1 Course
Course – met by taking required POLS courses
Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility – 1 Course
Course – met by taking required POLS courses
Goal 10: People and The Environment – 1 Course
Course __________________
Additional Course Requirements – 20 Credits
- One Health (HLTH) course.
- One Exercise Science (EXSC) course.
- Elective credits – additional course(s) numbered 1000 and above, if needed to complete the 60-credit requirement.