Best Political Science Programs in California for 2027

At Berkeley, the political science major comes to 12 courses: three lower-division requirements, eight upper-division courses and one history course from an approved list. Methods comes early through PS 3, Intro to Empirical Theory and Quantitative Methods, or you can choose Data Science C8 paired with PS 88 for heavier data training. You'll take at least one course in each of five primary subfields, then specialize in one by completing its introductory course and two upper-division courses. Upper-division seats fill quickly, so the department urges you to declare by March of sophomore year. Strong students can apply to honors, a year-long PS H190A and B seminar that ends in a thesis, usually 50 to 60 pages or longer.

Methods Requirement

PS 3, or Data Science C8 combined with PS 88

Subfield Specialization

Introductory course plus two upper-division courses in one of five primary subfields

Honors Thesis

Year-long PS H190A and B seminar while working with a faculty sponsor

Program Sources: Requirements for the Major | UC Berkeley Political ScienceHonors Program | UC Berkeley Political Science

UCLA's preparation for the political science major is five courses. You choose four introductions from political theory, world politics, politics and strategy, American politics and comparative politics, and you add POL SCI 6, Introduction to Data Analysis, where Statistics 10 or 12 can substitute. The major itself is 10 upper-division political science courses, at least 40 units in all, each worth four or more units and taken for a letter grade. You pick those courses yourself from Political Science M105 through 199, so your focus is yours to shape. Departmental honors depends on a senior thesis, and highest honors is open to students who finish with a 3.85 major GPA and an A+ on that thesis.

Data Analysis Course

POL SCI 6 Introduction to Data Analysis, or Statistics 10 or 12

Upper-Division Major

10 courses from M105 through 199, minimum 40 units, letter grade

Honors

Senior thesis required for departmental honors

Program Sources: Political Science BA

Cal Poly's political science senior project can take the form of a substantial research paper or an applied project with a written component. Departmental examples include organizing voter registration and documenting work on an electoral campaign. The project runs through a two-course sequence. Within the Global Politics concentration, courses address conflict, developing regions, foreign policy, and international institutions, with room for approved government or research internships. It's a degree with a defined final piece of independent work.

Senior Project

A research paper or applied project with substantial writing is developed through a two-course sequence

Global Politics Options

The concentration includes conflict, foreign policy and international institutions, with approved internship electives

Program Sources: Political Science BASenior Projects - Political Science Department - Cal Poly, San Luis ObispoCal Poly Political Science Curriculum

San Diego State's political science MA gives you a choice between a thesis and written and oral examinations in two fields. The shared core includes research design, international relations, political theory, and a choice of public policy or comparative systems. Electives can draw on other departments with graduate-adviser approval. You can also work toward the Global Politics or Public Policy advanced certificate while completing the MA, using the certificate coursework toward the degree. Plan that overlap with the adviser when selecting seminars.

Final Requirement

Thesis or comprehensive written and oral examinations in two fields

Certificate Options

Global Politics or Public Policy coursework can also count toward the MA

Program Sources: MA Degree Requirements | San Diego State University

Cal State LA schedules its political science master's classes in the evening for students balancing graduate study with work. The core includes American political behavior, political theory, comparative politics, and jurisprudence, plus an international political economy or international relations seminar. You'll then concentrate in American Politics, Political Theory, or Global Politics. The final requirement is a comprehensive examination or an approved thesis. A thesis requires permission from the thesis chair, graduate adviser, and department chair; approved thesis credit can replace a concentration course.

Class Schedule

Evening classes intended to accommodate full-time and part-time employment

Concentration Choices

American Politics, Political Theory, or Global Politics

Program Sources: The MA in Political Science | Cal State LA

Stanford structures doctoral preparation around different ways of demonstrating field knowledge. You'll take a written examination in your primary field and complete the required courses in a secondary field, then study a third area that can be designed with faculty approval. All students take political theory, research design, and quantitative training in probability, statistics, and linear regression. A second-year research paper receives review from two department faculty members. Required teaching-assistant work adds classroom experience alongside those research milestones.

Field Preparation

Written primary-field examination, secondary-field coursework, and study in a third area

Common Methods

Probability, statistics, linear regression, and a research-design course

Program Sources: Doctoral Program Requirements | Stanford Political Science

Berkeley's political science doctorate requires competence in three subfields, including a written major-field examination. Approved coursework can satisfy the other two fields. The second-year research paper also serves as the MA project and receives review from three faculty members. Later, you develop and defend a dissertation prospectus before advancing to candidacy. Both the qualifying-exam and dissertation committees must include a Berkeley faculty member from another department, so building that research connection during coursework is part of planning the degree.

Early Research

Second-year paper reviewed by three faculty members

Interdisciplinary Advising

Qualifying-exam and dissertation committees include a faculty member from another Berkeley department

Program Sources: PhD Requirements | UC Berkeley Political Science

UCLA describes doctoral research across political economy, American political development, race and politics, and political theory, with language and area-studies resources supporting regional work. You'll complete a preliminary examination in your first major field and develop a field paper intended to make an original scholarly contribution. The language requirement can be met through language study or examination, or through an approved quantitative-methods sequence. This makes the preparation you choose closely connected to the evidence your eventual dissertation will use.

Research Preparation

Preliminary major-field examination and a field paper before candidacy

Language or Methods

Language study or proficiency examination, or three qualifying quantitative-methods courses

Program Sources: PhD Program | UCLA Political SciencePreliminary Exams and Field Papers | UCLA Political ScienceForeign Language Requirement | UCLA Political Science

El Camino's political science transfer degree starts with American Government and Politics, then lets you build the remaining major through two course groups. Choices include political-science methods, political philosophy, comparative politics, international relations, and statistics. The broader elective menu includes Ethnicity in the American Political Process and Civil Rights and Liberties in the United States, alongside other social sciences. Honors options are available in government and international relations. Plan the course combination around your intended university; the AA-T provides CSU system priority consideration, with campus and major admission handled separately.

Methods Choices

Political-science research methods and statistics appear among the major options

Political Electives

Ethnicity in the American Political Process and Civil Rights and Liberties in the United States

Program Sources: Political Science AA-T | El Camino 2026–2027 CatalogCalifornia State University: Associate Degree for Transfer

Pierce's political science transfer degree gives you real choice in the core. You pick three of four foundation courses: Introduction to Comparative Politics, The History of Western Political Thought, Introduction to International Relations, and American Government and Politics. List A then asks for two more, drawn from any core course you skipped plus a research or statistics option such as POL SCI 050, Introduction to Research in Political Science, and only one of those research or statistics courses can count. List B adds one course from options like Women in Politics, Environmental Politics, and The Political Process. The major totals 18 to 20 units alongside Cal-GETC. Finishing guarantees admission with junior status to the CSU system, though not to a particular campus or major.

Research Option

POL SCI 050 or one statistics course, with only one counting toward the major

Political Electives

Women in Politics, Environmental Politics, and The Political Process

Program Sources: Associate in Arts in Political Science for Transfer