Minor in Political Science

Learn by Doing, Stand Out

Make your resume stand out with a Political Science minor that signals sharp analysis, persuasive writing, and fluency in politics. In our powerhouse department, you learn by doing with leadership skills, research proficiency, legal and policy simulations, and faculty-led opportunities that put you in the room where decisions happen. Add the minor to level up your skills and your story.

Why Add the Minor?

Big payoff, small add-on

The minor is only 6 courses (18 units). Plan smart and half the minor can double-count for GE, so you’re only adding 3 extra courses (9 units).

Low risk, easy exit

Add it now to see the minor on your Degree Progress Report. If your plans change, you can drop the minor anytime — no questions asked.

Skills employers notice

Build analytical thinking, writing, argumentation, and policy fluency that complement any career path: law, business, tech, public service, nonprofits, media, education, and more.

Plug into opportunities

Minors get access to department events, courses, talks, research opportunities, and listserv announcements with internships and on-campus leadership openings.

The Minor Program

The minor is six courses in total (18 units). For the catalog description of the minor, .

Students must take two lower-division courses (6 units) from the following list:

PLS 2010 - Introduction to American Government (3) [GE D4 or 4B] [AmInst-B]
PLS 2020 - Introduction to Comparative Government (3) [GE 4A]
PLS 2030 - Introduction to International Relations (3) [GE 4A]
PLS 2040 - Introduction to Political Thought (3)
PLS 2051 - Research Methods (3)
PLS 2060 - Introduction to Public Administration (3)
PLS 2070 - Introduction to Public Law (3)
PLS 2080 - Introduction to Race and Ethnic Politics (3) [GE Area F or 6]

Students then elect to take four upper-division courses (12 units). Upper-division courses must come from at least two different subfields. For a full list of upper-division courses, which carry no prerequisites, click here.

How the Double Count Works

If you choose courses strategically, courses for the minor can also double-count GE Areas:

GE Area D2 or 4B: American Government -- PLS 2010: Intro to American Government
GE Area F or Area 6: Ethnic Studies -- PLS 2080: Intro to Race and Ethnic Politics
GE Area D4 or 4C: Social Science Synthesis
- PLS 3821: Pop Culture & Politics
- CLS 4100: Model United Nations
- PLS 4200: Policies of Need & Greed
- PLS 4205: American Institutions & Behavior
- PLS 4811: California Government

That means you can complete the minor with only 3 additional courses beyond what you were already going to take for GE.

Declare in Minutes

Email Dr. Mario Guerrero (mag@cpp.edu) to request a quick Zoom or visit during office hours. A short “I’d like to add the Political Science minor” note is perfect.

BroncoDirect steps

Navigate to BroncoDirect by visiting /broncodirect.
In your Student Center, open the Academics menu.
Click Change of Minor → Create a New Request → Add a minor.
Search Political Science, select, and click OK.
Skip Minor Course Elective(s) and Minor Course Substitution(s). Click Next.
Review and Submit.

2. Meet to confirm. Dr. Guerrero will be notified of your request and will finalize it after your brief meeting.

Pro tip: Declare early so it’s on your Degree Progress Report and you can plan GE double-counting from the start.

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