Political Science Designation

Students who pursue a degree in political science study governments, public policies and political processes, systems, and political behavior. Political science subfields include political theory, political philosophy, political ideology, political economy, policy studies and analysis, comparative politics, international relations, and a host of related fields.

Written Communication

Total Credits 6

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
ENG121ENG1021	English Composition I:GT-CO1	3
Emphasizes planning, writing, and editing/revisions of compositions, coupled with development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a minimum of five compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Prerequisite: College Readiness in English. (3-0)
and
ENG122ENG1022	English Composition II: GT-CO2	3
Expands and refines the objectives of English Composition I. Emphasizes critical/logical thinking and reading, problem definition, research strategies, and writing analytical, evaluative, and/or persuasive papers that incorporate research. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO2 category. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG1021 or ENG1031 with a "C" grade or better. (3-0)
OR you can take ENG1022 and a GT-CO3 course.

Mathematics

Total Credits 3-4

Take one GT-MA1 course, prefer MAT1260.

Arts and Humanities

Total Credits 6

Take two GT courses from AH1, AH2, AH3 or AH4 categories.

History

Total Credits 3

Take one GT course from the HI1 category.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Total Credits 6

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
ECO201ECO2001	Principles of Macroeconomics: GT-SS1	3
Focuses on the study of the national economy, emphasizing business cycles and long-run growth trends. Explores how macroeconomic performance is measured, including Gross Domestic Product and labor market indicators. Examines the saving-investment relationship and its relationship to Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand. Discusses money and banking, international trade, fiscal and monetary policy. Explores the macroeconomic role of the public sector. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. (3-0)
ECO202ECO2002	Principles of Microeconomics: GT-SS1	3
Focuses on the study of individual decision making, emphasizing households, business firms and industry analysis. Explores market models, including competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly. Examines market failure and related efficiency criteria for government intervention. Explores public policy, including labor market issues, poverty and the environment. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. (3-0)

Natural and Physical Sciences

Total Credits 8

Take two GT courses from the SC1 category.

Program Requirements

Total Credits 12

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PSC105PSC2020	Introduction to Political Science: GT-SS1	3
Focuses on a survey of the discipline of political science including political philosophy and ideology, democratic and non-democratic governments, and processes, and international relations. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. (3-0)
PSC111PSC1011	American Government: GT-SS1	3
Includes the background of the U.S. Constitution, the philosophy of American government, general principles of the Constitution, federalism, and civil liberties. Examines public opinion and citizen participation, political parties, interest groups, the electoral process, and the structure and functions of the national government. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. (3-0)
PSC205PSC2005	International Relations: GT-SS1	3
Examines the interactions among various levels of actors in the international system. This course attempts to explain behaviors across state boundaries. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. (3-0)
PSC225PSC2025	Comparative Government: GT-SS1	3
Examines domestic political systems, developments, themes, and events across countries and regions while applying the comparative method to identify similarities and differences. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. (3-0)

Electives

Total Credits 16

Consult with a Northeastern Advisor and select the credits based on the specific articulation agreement and transfer institution requirements. The list of approved electives can be found on the Approved A.A.-A.S. Electives page.

Degree & Certificate Options

Associate of Arts

60 Credits

Curriculum

Degree Descriptions

Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.) and Associate of Science Degree (A.S.)

The AA and the AS degrees are traditional 2-year degrees specifically designed to transfer to 4-year institutions for the purpose of completing a BA or a BS. They are often referred to as university parallel degrees. The general education requirements are what actually permit the degrees to be called Associates or Arts or Science. The difference between the AS and AA is minimal, with the AA permitting math courses and a science course that are not recognized under the AS degree. Read Colorado's Guaranteed Transfer Policy here.

Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.)

The AGS degree is, at times, articulated to transfer to certain 4-year institutions and programs. There is more room for flexibility in this degree. Generally, if a student decides to transfer to a 4-year school to pursue a BA or BS after earning the AGS, they may be short some of the general education requirements.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Associate of Applied Science degree is rarely pursued by a student who intends to transfer to a 4-year school. It is primarily a degree that prepares a student to go directly into the workforce. It is typically a specific technical career that the student who seeks the AAS is seeking. Again, the general education requirements are less rigid with the AAS degree.

Certificate Programs

Certificates are 1-year technical programs that require no general education courses. Auto Tech, Agri-business, and Cosmetology are Certificate programs. English, math, science, etc. are not required to complete a certificate, although some students choose to take preparatory classes that might help them succeed in the program.