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for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Political Science
In most instances, the faculty in the department have had experience
practicing what they teach. All bring to their classes extensive backgrounds
that permit them to combine the theories of political science and public
administration with the practical applications of those theories.
Most upper-division classes are small enough to allow extensive student-faculty
interaction. The usual course involves a mixture of lecture and class discussion
and encourages the expression of a variety of viewpoints about political
issues. With smaller classes come greater opportunities for individualized
instruction and assistance.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Political Science Major
Major requirements (36 units)
(see Notes 1 and 2)
Lower-division core:
PLSI 1, 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 111,
120, 140,
150 (12 units)
Upper-division Political Science electives:
(PLSI exclude 102, 187) (18 units)
General Education requirements (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements (33 units)
(see Degree Requirements); may be
used toward a double major or minor
Total (120 units)
Advising Notes
- CR/NC grading is not permitted in the political science major.
- No General Education Integration or Multicultural/International course offered by the Political Science Department may be used to satisfy the General Education requirements for public administration majors. In addition, PLSI 120 may not be used to satisfy the General Education Multicultural/International requirement for public administration majors.
- General Education and elective units may be used toward a double major or minor (in something other than political science; see Double Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for further information.
- The department highly recommends that the student select upper-division electives in at least three of the following disciplines: anthropology, African American studies, economics, English, geography, history, Chicano and Latin American studies, philosophy, sociology, or city and regional planning. Consult adviser for specifically recommended courses.
- Grading Requirement. Students majoring in political science must earn a grade of C or better in each of the six core courses in the major: PLSI 1, 90 (lower-division) and PLSI 110 or 111, 120, 140, and 150 (upper-division).
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Public Administration Major
Major requirements (36 units)
(see Notes 1 and 2)
Lower-division core:
PLSI 1, 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 150, 181,
182, 184,
185 (15 units)
Upper-division electives (15 units)
Select from: PLSI 103, 110, 111,
114, 160,
163, 169T,
170, 175,
183, 187,
188T, 189T,
190, 191
General Education requirements (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements (33 units)
(see Degree Requirements); may be used
toward a double major or minor
Total (120 units)
Advising Notes
- CR/NC grading is not permitted in the public administration major with the exception of PLSI 187.
- No course used to satisfy a General Education requirement may be used to satisfy public administration major requirements. In addition, PLSI 120 may not be used to satisfy the General Education Multicultural/International requirement for public administration majors.
- General Education and elective units may be used toward a double major or minor (in something other than political science; see Double Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for further information.
- The department highly recommends that the student select upper-division electives in at least three of the following disciplines: anthropology, African American studies, economics, English, geography, history, Chicano and Latin American studies, philosophy, psychology, sociology, or city and regional planning. Consult adviser for specifically recommended courses.
Minors
The following minor requirements are in addition to the General Education
requirement in social science.
Political Science
PLSI 1, 110
or 111 (6 units)
Political Science electives (upper-division), including PLSI
158, 187 (15 units)
Total (21 units)
Public Administration
PLSI 1, 181,
182, 183,
184, 185,
or 189T (12 units)
Select from PLSI 103, 110, 111,
114, 150,
151, 160,
163, 170,
or 175 (9 units)
Total (21 units)
__________
No course used to satisfy a General Education requirement
may be used to satisfy requirements for the Political Science and Public
Administration minors.
International Political Economy
For details about the Minor in International Political Economy, see listing in the Department of Economics.
Note: The minors also require 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division units
in residence.
United States Constitution Requirement
The United States Constitution (including California State Constitution
and local government) requirement for graduation will be fulfilled by PLSI 2. No other political science
class fulfills the United States Constitution requirement.
Advanced Placement Exam Policy
Advanced Placement Examinations for American Government cannot be counted
to fulfill the American government General Education requirement; 3 units
of elective may be granted.
Credential Program
See the Social Sciences credential adviser, Social Science Building,
Room 129A, for advising, and refer to Secondary Teaching Credential under
Social Science Programs.
Master of Arts Degree in International Relations*
The program leading to a Master of Arts degree in International Relations
is designed chiefly, but not exclusively, for students preparing for careers
involved with global and international politics (e.g., political aspects
of: international business, agriculture, health services, education, U.S.
foreign service, etc.). The interdisciplinary nature of the program is derived
from: (1) the five seminars in political science, each of which requires
the student to master key concepts and issues in international relations,
and (2) the 9- to 15-unit component of the program which students select
from the approved list of political science and extra-departmental courses
related to their career objectives.
The program's flexibility, however, also accommodates the needs of those
students who plan to use the master's degree for teaching careers or to
pursue a Ph.D. in political science, or both. After completion of 15 of
the required 30 units of the program, each student is requested to submit
to the graduate adviser a written statement of career objectives so that
remaining requirements may be tailored to the needs and desires of the individual.
* Admission to the M.A. in International Relations is currently suspended.
Requirements for the Master
of Arts in International Relations
Admission to the program is open to all graduates of a duly accredited
college or university who meet the requirements for admission (see Admissions). Students with background deficiencies in
political science usually may remedy these through a few upper-division
political science courses selected by the program adviser. Any prerequisites
required by extra-departmental courses must also be fulfilled unless waived
by the department or program concerned.
Admission. Applicants may qualify for admission to the program courses
by achieving classified graduate standing. Classified standing requires:
- An acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association;
- Good standing at the last college attended;
- Submission to the university of transcripts of college work; scores from the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE); a written statement indicating why the applicant wishes to pursue the M.A.; and three letters of recommendation; and
- Recommendation for admission by the Admissions Committee of the Graduate Program in International Relations. Candidates will be recommended on the basis of the promise they show for successfully completing the program. Candidates will be evaluated using a combination of: (a) grade point average (those with averages of less than 2.8 overall or 3.0 on the last 60 semester units attempted must have compensating strength in other areas); (b) aptitude for academic work (those with scores of less than 500 on either the verbal or quantitative part of the GRE must have compensating strength in other areas); applicants whose native language is not English must also achieve a minimum score of 570 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language; (c) evaluation of the applicants written statement and letters of recommendation.
All candidates for the Master of Arts in International Relations must complete
the 15 units of graduate seminars specified as the core program, which consists
of PLSI 200, 210,
220, 240,
and 250. In addition to the
minimum program grade point average of 3.0, students must have a minimum
grade point average of 3.0 in these core courses. Students must select an
additional 15 units related to international relations or comparative politics
in consultation with the program coordinator and depending on their interests
and career objectives.
This 15 unit requirement may be met either with 15 units of pre-approved electives or with 9 units of pre-approved electives and 6 units of an approved thesis or project. All students not completing an approved thesis or project must pass a written comprehensive exam.
A thesis or project must be primarily in the field of international relations
and under the direction of the Political Science Department. One reader
or assistant project adviser may be chosen from outside political science
where the topic makes this appropriate.
Exclusive of the core courses and thesis or project, a maximum of 3 units
may be gained through Independent Study. Basic competence in written translation
from a foreign language into English is a prerequisite for the M.A. in International
Relations. This language examination will be required before enrollment
in the thesis or taking the written comprehensive examinations. Foreign
students may offer English in fulfillment of this requirement. The graduate
program in international relations student can meet the university Graduate
Writing Requirement by passing the writing component of PLSI 200 or PLSI
270. Please see program coordinator for the written policy.
Specific Requirements for M.A. in International Relations. One of
the following plans is available to the student in consultation with the
graduate adviser:
Plan A.
Core Program (15 units)
Thesis or Project (6 units)
Elective from approved list of courses (9 units)
Total (30 units)
Plan B.
Core Program (15 units)
Electives from approved list of courses (15 units)
Comprehensive written examination
Total (30 units)
Note: At least 21 of the 30 required units must be taken at the graduate,
200-series level.
Master of Public Administration Program
The M.P.A. Program builds on the belief that effective leadership of
public agencies requires a basic set of abilities and public values irrespective
of the particular characteristics of an organization. Courses in the program
focus on the development of critical thinking and analytical skills, as
well as an appreciation for ethical decision making.
All students in the program complete a core program of 21 units within the
36 units required for the M.P.A. In consultation with their advisers, students
will select the remaining units from graduate public administration courses
and courses offered by other departments and programs. These units can be
used to further develop a general competence in public administration or
to provide students with an opportunity to pursue additional topics of interest.
The M.P.A. student can meet the university Graduate Writing Requirement
by passing the writing component of the course MPA 210. Please see program
director for the written policy. To finish the program students may elect
to write a thesis or to take a comprehensive examination.
The curriculum of the program follows the guidelines established by the
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
and was de-signed following consultation with senior public administrators
in the Fresno area. Consistent with the NASPAA guidelines, the program seeks
to prepare administrative specialists who understand the place and role
of public agencies and their staffs in the political, social, and eco-nomic
systems of the United States; who have the analytic tools, both quantitative
and qualitative, to diagnose problems and analyze alternative courses of
public action; who have the leadership abilities to develop and make effective
use of the talents and abilities of agency staffs; who have the abilities
required to formulate, implement, and evaluate public policies which are
responsible and effective; and who are able to manage an agency in such
a way as to make responsible and effective use of its resources now and
in the future.
Master of Public Administration
Degree Requirements
Core (18 units)
MPA 200, 201,
210, 230,
245, 260
Additional core (3 units)
MPA 215, 240,
250, or 280T
Approved electives (3-15 units)
Practitioner's Seminars (0-6 units)
MPA 289T
Internship (0-3 units)
MPA 287
Comprehensive examination (0 units)
Thesis (0-3 units)
MPA 299
Minimum Total (36 units)
All students will be required to take 21 core units; 18 of these core units
are prescribed for students. The remaining 3 core units must be selected
from the courses listed under the "Additional Core" heading. Students
may take more than one course listed under the "Additional Core"
heading. If they do, these courses will count towards meeting their "Approved
Electives" requirement. MPA students may also choose to take units
offered as Practitioner Seminars (MPA 289T). Pre-service or in-service students
with less than six months of experience in the public or non-profit sector
will be advised to take MPA 287. This will provide them with both a valuable
learning and working experience. To culminate their MPA experience, students
may choose either the comprehensive exam or thesis. The comprehensive exam
does not count for any units towards the degree, but does satisfy the requirement
that students be provided with a culminating experience to their program.
The thesis (MPA 299) is worth 3 units toward the degree and also satisfies
the culminating experience requirement.
Approved elective courses may used to build on the foundation of the program's core offerings. The courses to be used as electives in the MPA program are to be chosen in consultation with the student's adviser and must be approved by the MPA director. The students' selection of electives should be guided by their interest in a particular course/topic and its relationship to the practice of public administration.
Admission. Applicants may qualify for admission to the program and thereby take program courses by achieving classified graduate standing. Classified standing requires:
- An acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association;
- Good standing at the last college attended;
- Submission to the university of transcripts of college work; scores from the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); a written statement indicating why the applicant wishes to pursue an M.P.A.; and, if any, evidence of work performance in a public or nonprofit agency (see 4d below); and
- Recommendation for admission by the Admissions Committee of the Graduate Public Administration Program. Candidates will be recommended on the basis of the prom ise they show for successfully completing the program and achieving a successful career in public management and administration. Candidates will be evaluated using a combination of: (a) grade point average (those with averages of less than 2.75 overall or 3.0 on the last 60 semester units attempted must have compensating strength in other areas); (b) aptitude for academic work (those with scores of less than 475 on either part of the GRE or on the GMAT must have compensating strength in other areas); (c) professional goals of the applicant; (d) successful performance in public or nonprofit agency employment as demonstrated by the character of work accomplished, distinctions achieved, and letters of recommendation from persons who can knowingly and comparatively evaluate the on-the-job performance of the candidate over a period of time (this basis for evaluation may be waived for candidates showing great strength in (a) or (b) above). Applicants whose native language is not English must also achieve a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
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