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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Study Group - California State University San Marcos

USA,California

0 Shortlist

48 Months

Duration

CAD 18,160/year

Tuition Fee

CAD 70 FREE

Application Fee

Aug 2025

Apply Date

USA, California

Type: University

Location Type: Semi-Urban

Founded: 1989

Total Students: 16,000 +

Campus Detail

Main Campus Address

333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92096, United States

Overview
Key Facts
Fees & Funding
Admission Requirements
Additional Info
Scholarships
Student Visa
Work Permit

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Program Overview

Political science is the study of government, individual, and institutional behavior in the public sector; relations among nation-states; and theories of politics. Political science addresses the fundamental issues confronting modern society - war, inequality, poverty, the environment - and seeks to evaluate the processes, policies, and theories that have been devised to deal with them. Typically, the discipline of political science is subdivided into topical fields: U.S. government and politics, including the subfields of public law, public administration, and public policy; comparative politics, which deals with government and politics within nations other than the United States; international relations, which is the analysis of politics among nations, including foreign policy, war and peace, and political economy and political theory, which encompasses political thought throughout the ages as well as contemporary approaches.

The Political Science Program at Cal State San Marcos offers courses in each of these areas and invites students to explore a broad spectrum of topics. Political science majors may choose between a general concentration, which provides wide exposure to the fields of political science, and a global concentration, which offers majors an opportunity to focus on foreign political systems and international relations. Majors and non-majors alike are encouraged to think critically, independently, and objectively about government and politics. The goal of the program is to produce informed, empowered citizens who will contribute to their national and global communities.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Summarize the foundational principles and key concepts of Political Science.
Describe and analyze the roles played by political identities in historical and contemporary political environments.
Analyze the impact of state and non-state actors, institutions, and organizations on policy.
Apply theories, political thought, ideologies, and ideas to historical content and/or contemporary political realities.
Apply knowledge of research methods to formulate and implement an appropriate research design to analyze political phenomena.
Utilize effective communications skills to analyze political issues, ideas, and policies.

Detailed Program Facts

Program Level

4-Year Bachelor's Degree

Application Processing Days

5 Days

Program Intensity

Full-Time

Duration of Program

48 Months

Program Intakes

Intake Month/Year		Intake Status
aug 2024		Closed
jan 2025		Closed
aug 2025		Open

Application Fee

Application Fee: CAD 70 FREE

Tuition Fee

CAD 18,160 per year

*Note: The fee is approximate and is subject to change

Living Cost in Study Group - California State University San Marcos

CAD 14,000 per year

*Note: The fee is approximate and is subject to change

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Check program website for more information about funding options.

English Test Requirements

IELTS
- Minimum Overall Score - 5.5 Minimum Listening - 5.0 Minimum Reading - 5.0 Minimum Writing - 5.5 Minimum Speaking - 5.0
TOEFL
- Minimum Overall Score - 61.0 Minimum Listening - 14.0 Minimum Reading - 14.0 Minimum Writing - 19.0 Minimum Speaking - 14.0
PTE
- Minimum Overall Score - 50.0
DUOLINGO
- Minimum Overall Score - 95.0

Minimum Level of Education Required: To be accepted into this program, applicants must have Grade 12 / High School Diploma.

Minimum CGPA Required: 70.00 %

Additional Information

Career Opportunities

A political science major opens the door to a broad spectrum of career opportunities. Many political science majors eventually pursue careers in law, and a number of political science courses focus on legal issues and processes. A political science major is also excellent preparation for those contemplating careers in government service and public administration, either at the federal or state levels. Possibilities include working on the staff of an elected official or legislative body, working for a government agency, or serving as an elected public official. Political science is an excellent major for those planning careers in the foreign service agencies of the U.S. government, international political organizations, and international corporations. Teaching in the public schools, or at the college and university level after doing graduate work, is another popular career option for political science majors. Finally, many political science majors choose to pursue careers in business and industry.

Scholarships

Although international students are not eligible for most forms of financial aid, the US Department of State has provided an excellent list of funding sources that may assist students with their efforts to efforts to fund their education.
Undergraduate students should visit the Department of State’s “Financing Your Undergraduate Education” link.
Graduate students should visit the Department of State’s “Financing Your Graduate Education” link.
These links are independent of California State University San Marcos’s own financing options.
In addition, tthe CSU system allows for a limited number of tuition waivers to international students. At CSU San Marcos, international students are eligible to apply for these tuition waivers after their first year of residence. Generally, these tuition waivers are partial, which means that only a portion of the tuition fee is waived. Applications are due in May and with waivers being granted for fall semester, with a possibility of renewal.

Work Permit

PGWP

Optional Practical Training or OPT is a period during which students, who have completed their degrees in the USA, are permitted to work for one year on a student visa by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). OPT allows students to work for up to 3 years and develop real-world skills to survive in the competitive jobs market.

It is temporary employment for a period of 12-months that is directly related to the major area of study of an F-1 student. Eligible students have the option to apply for OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies and/or after completing their academic studies.

A student can participate in three types of Optional Practical Training (OPT):

Pre-Completion OPT: This is temporary employment provided to F-1 students before completion of their course of study.
Post-Completion OPT: This is temporary employment available to F-1 students after completing their course of study.
24 Month STEM Extension: Students enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses can a 24-month extension after their initial Post-Completion OPT authorization.