Political Science ,Minor

Are you intrigued by the political process? You'll gain the background and context needed to understand where we have come from and how our system may evolve.

Description ▲

In the minor program in political science, you are introduced to foundational theories, practices and policies that shape local, national and international political systems. Coursework emphasizes research skills for analyzing complex sociopolitical issues across diverse contexts.

You explore topics in political theory, American institutions, and global affairs through a flexible, learner-centered curriculum. Faculty-guided projects connect political science to real-world policy concerns in areas such as urban politics, international relations and borderlands studies.

At a glance ▲

College/school: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Location: West Valley

Curriculum ▲

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2026-2027 Catalog Year

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Requirement	Minimum Grade	Credit Hours

Requirement	Minimum Grade	Credit Hours
The minor in political science consists of 18 credit hours of coursework, of which 12 hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be earned through courses offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Credit hours may not be shared between major and minor requirements. All courses used to satisfy requirements for the minor must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better.
POS 110 American Government and Politics (AMIT) or POS 310 American National Government (AMIT) POS 150 Comparative Government (GCSI) or POS 350 Comparative Politics (GCSI) POS 160 Global Politics (GCSI) or POS 360 World Politics (GCSI) POS 210 Political Ideologies (CIVI) 6 Credit Hours Minimum Grade:C	C	6
SBS 302 Qualitative Methods (SOBE) or SBS 303 Quantitative Methods (QTRS) or SBS 304 Social Statistics I (QTRS) 3 Credit Hours Minimum Grade:C	C	3
ASB 339 / POS 339 / SBS 339 / SOC 339 Grassroots Social Movements ENV 440 / JHR 440 Deconstructing Justice in the Environment: Measurements, Policies and Societal Implications ETH 380 / WST 380 Race, Gender, and Class (SOBE) HST 378 / JHR 378 Inequality and Living Wages in Latin America (CIVI) HST 441 / LAS 441 Latin America and the World Economy JHR 305 Theory and Practice of Social Justice and Human Rights (CIVI) JHR 480 / POS 480 / SBS 480 Global Justice (GCSI) POS 342 Political Theory POS 446 Democracy (CIVI) POS 494 Topic: Everyday Forms of Political Resistance SBS 301 Cultural Diversity (SOBE) SBS 494 / SIF 494 Topic: Humanitarian Forensics SOC 331 Environmental Sociology (SUST) SOC 352 Social Change (CIVI) SOC 426 Social Inequalities (CIVI) 3 Credit Hours Minimum Grade:C	C	3
ASB 340 / SOC 328 Migration and Culture (GCSI) ASB 447 / POS 447 / SBS 447 Citizenship, Nationalism and Identity (CIVI) JHR 394 / POS 394 Topic: American Citizenship JHR 480 / POS 480 / SBS 480 Global Justice (GCSI) POS 310 American National Government (AMIT) POS 360 World Politics (GCSI) POS 361 American Foreign Policy (SOBE) POS 446 Democracy (CIVI) POS 465 International Organization and Law (GCSI) 3 Credit Hours Minimum Grade:C	C	3
ETH 430 / LAS 430 / WST 430 Gender on the Borderlands (HUAD) ETH 433 / WST 433 Race and Sexualities in Social Justice Movements (SOBE) ETH 473 / LAS 473 / WST 473 Indigenous and Latina/Chicana Representation HST 376 / LAS 376 Modern Latin America JHR 394 Topic: Human Rights in the Global South POS 350 Comparative Politics (GCSI) POS 357 South Asia Politics POS 361 American Foreign Policy (SOBE) POS 437 / SOC 437 Women, Power, and Politics WST 428 Gender, Madness and Justice (SOBE) 3 Credit Hours Minimum Grade:C	C	3

Notes

Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.

Enrollment requirements ▲

GPA Requirement: None

Incompatible Majors: BA or BS in political science

Other Enrollment Requirements: None

Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.

Career opportunities▲

Graduates have a strong foundation to pursue staff, manager or policy analyst positions in local, state and federal government. This minor is recognized as a qualification for many careers in business (for-profit and nonprofit) and industry. Work may include binational, cross-border positions linking U.S. and Mexican businesses, Arizona-Sonora local government, or local community groups on both sides of the border.

Many use the program as a gateway to law school or as a basis for graduate work in professional schools or in applied fields such as:

community development
political science
public administration
public policy
social science disciplines
urban affairs and urban and regional planning

Contact information▲

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences | FAB N101
sbsadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

Political Science ,Minor