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Dallas College

Political Science Field of Study

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Program Available at:

  • Brookhaven
  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • El Centro
  • Mountain View
  • North Lake
  • Richland

For more information, visit the Dallas College Government webpage and your academic advisor at your campus.

The guided pathway in Political Science combines Government, Philosophy, and core courses to complete the associate degree. An Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in this pathway prepares you to transfer to a university to earn a bachelor's degree in Political Science that opens the door to careers in Non-profit organizations, political campaigns, community organizing, and can prepare you for Law School.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in Political Science. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn an Associate of Arts Field of Study in Political Science, which will increase your chances of transfer to bachelor's level programs. Courses that complete the degree are noted below. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See the catalog for official degree requirements.

Visit www.dcccd.edu/transfer and select “Transfer from Dallas College," then click on a university to view more information about transferring to that institution. Speak with your academic advisor to choose courses that will help you to transfer to a specific university.


Catalog Year       2021-2022   You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type       Associate of Arts Field of Study

GPA Requirement       Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI       Must be Complete


SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official program of study. See the catalog for official degree requirements.

DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of “C" or higher.

HIST 1301 – United States History I This is a Core course.

MATH 1342 – Elementary Statistical Methods This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of C or higher.

POLITICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE*

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ARTS 1301 – Art Appreciation** This is a Core course.
  • DANC 2303 – Dance Appreciation** This is a Core course.
  • DRAM 1310 – Theater Appreciation** This is a Core course.
  • HUMA 1315 – Fine Arts Appreciation** This is a Core course. OR
  • MUSI 1306 – Music Appreciation** This is a Core course.

*Select Political Science Elective from the following: BUSI 2301, COMM 2302, COMM 2330, CRIJ 1301, CRIJ 1306, CRIJ 1307, CRIJ 1310, CRIJ 2323, CRIJ 2328, ECON 1301, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, GOVT 2311, HIST 2301, HIST 2312, HIST 2322, HIST 2328, PHIL 1301,  PHIL 1304, PHIL 2306, PHIL 2307, SOCI 1306, SOCI 2319

**There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your academic advisor for a specific list. Elective courses should be selected according to the intended university to which you will transfer.

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your advisor to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
  2. At the end of the semester, begin researching colleges and universities where you would want to major in Political Science.
  3. Meet with a career advisor/coach to research your career options with a degree in Political Science.

Total Hours: 15

SEMESTER 2

ENGL 1302 – Composition II This is a Core course.

GOVT 2304 – Introduction to Political Science

PHED 1164 – Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness* This is a Core course.

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication* This is a Core course.
  • SPCH 1321 – Business and Professional Communication* This is a Core course.  OR
  • SPCH 1315 – Public Speaking* This is a Core course.

CHOOSE ONE:    

  • HIST 1302 – United States History II This is a Core course. OR
  • HIST 2381 – African-American History This is a Core course.

*There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your academic advisor for a specific list. Elective courses should be selected according to the intended university to which you will transfer.

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with an advisor to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career pathway and program of study.
  2. Ask about transfer advising to discuss options to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Total Hours: 13

SEMESTER 3

GOVT 2305 – Federal Government This is a Core course.

LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.

ELECTIVE – (3 Hours) Select any college-credit course other than one with the prefix of BIOL, CHEM, ENGR, ENVR, GEOL, MATH, PHYS or ANTH 2401.

POLITICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE**

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ENGL 2326 – American Literature* This is a Core course.
  • ENGL 2331 – World Literature* This is a Core course. OR
  • PHIL 2316 – Classical Philosophy* This is a Core course.

* There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your academic advisor for a specific list. Elective courses should be selected according to the intended university to which you will transfer.

** Select Political Science Elective from the following: BUSI 2301, COMM 2302, COMM 2330, CRIJ 1301, CRIJ 1306, CRIJ 1307, CRIJ 1310, CRIJ 2323, CRIJ 2328, ECON 1301, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, GOVT 2311, HIST 2301, HIST 2312, HIST 2322, HIST 2328, PHIL 1301,  PHIL 1304, PHIL 2306, PHIL 2307, SOCI 1306, SOCI 2319

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Begin applying to your top choice universities.
  2. Begin applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships.

    You can start the FAFSA in October for the next academic year. (i.e., in October 2021, you can complete the FAFSA if you plan to register for classes at a college or university Fall 2022)
  3. Check with your advisor for important deadlines & dates.

Total Hours: 16

SEMESTER 4

GOVT 2306 – Texas Government This is a Core course.

LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE* This is a Core course.

ELECTIVE – (3 Hours) Select any college-credit course other than one with the prefix of BIOL, CHEM, ENGR, ENVR, GEOL, MATH, PHYS or ANTH 2401.

ELECTIVE – (3 Hours) Select any college-credit course other than one with the prefix of BIOL, CHEM, ENGR, ENVR, GEOL, MATH, PHYS or ANTH 2401.

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ANTH 2351 – Cultural Anthropology* This is a Core course.
  • COMM 1307 – Introduction to Mass Communication* This is a Core course.
  • PSYC 2301 – General Psychology* This is a Core course. OR
  • SOCI 1301 – Introduction to Sociology* This is a Core course.

*There are several options to fulfill this requirement. See your academic advisor for a specific list. Elective courses should be selected according to the intended university to which you will transfer.

SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS

  1. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your advisor to apply for the Associate of Arts Field of Study in Political Science.
  2. Sign up for commencement.
  3. Request final transcripts to be sent to the college or university to where you will transfer.
  4. Join the Alumni Network!

Total Hours: 16

 PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS