2024-2025 Course Catalog

Political Science Transfer Pathway (AA)

60 Credits

The Political Science Transfer Pathway AA offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Political Science bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

Employers regard Political Science as one of the two most highly-prized social science degrees among employees. Why do employers desire students who study power and government and can hold national and international perspectives on topics? Because businesses, non-profit organizations, government, public service, law, media, education, and more need and admire the rare combination of knowledge, talent, and skills that Political Science students develop.

Political Science students uniquely combine wide-ranging knowledge with skills at research, analysis, and communication. These traits make students supremely qualified to work in the Information Age. Professional life increasingly requires collecting, organizing, applying, evaluating, and presenting information and ideas, as well as thinking critically, solving problems creatively, demonstrating cross-cultural understanding, and working individually and collaboratively.

Universities within the Minnesota State system include Bemidji State University; Metropolitan State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University Moorhead; Southwest Minnesota State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.

Required Courses

Incorporate the following Required Courses into the General Education/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum or Additional Course Requirements sections below.

POLS 1130Introduction to U.S. Politics

3 cr

Complete one of the following two courses:

POLS 1132Introduction to Comparative Politics

3 cr

POLS 1150Introduction to World Politics and Globalization

3 cr

Complete one of the following seven courses:

Students May Take POLS 1132 or POLS 1150 (whichever was not used to satisfy the required course above)

POLS 1132Introduction to Comparative Politics

3 cr

POLS 1133Middle East Politics

3 cr

POLS 1135Introduction to Political Ideas

3 cr

POLS 1150Introduction to World Politics and Globalization

3 cr

POLS 1152Model United Nations

3 cr

POLS 1195Conflict and Negotiation

3 cr

POLS 2250Constitutional Law

3 cr

General Education/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) – 40 Credits

*See MnTC Curriculum for specific course options

Goal 1: Communication – 2 Courses

ENGC 1101College Writing

4 cr

COMM 1100Introduction to Communication

3 cr

Or

COMM 1101Fundamentals of Public Speaking

3 cr

Or

COMM 1111Interpersonal Communication

3 cr

Or

COMM 1121Small Group Communication

3 cr

Goal 2: Critical Thinking

(Met by completion of all 40 credits of the MnTC)

Goal 3: Natural Sciences – 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments; at least one must include a lab)

Course #1 _______________

Course #2 _______________

Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning – 1 Course

MATH 1080 or MATH 1090 or MATH 1095 recommended

Course __________________

Goal 5: History and Social/Behavioral Sciences – 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments)

Course #1 - met by taking required POLS courses

Course #2 _______________

Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments)

Course #1 _______________

Course #2 _______________

Goal 7: Human Diversity – 1 Course

Course __________________

(can be met by taking POLS 1195)

Goal 8: Global Perspective – 1 Course

Course – met by taking required POLS courses

Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility – 1 Course

Course – met by taking required POLS courses

Goal 10: People and The Environment – 1 Course

Course __________________

Additional Course Requirements – 20 Credits

  • One Health (HLTH) course.
  • One Exercise Science (EXSC) course.
  • Elective credits – additional course(s) numbered 1000 and above, if needed to complete the 60-credit requirement.

Other Degree Requirements

  • Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for college-level coursework (courses numbered 1000 and above) completed at Normandale.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in the MnTC.
  • Earn a minimum of 15 college-level credits at Normandale.