California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

What you'll study

Students begin with two lower-division courses (6 units) chosen from an approved list, then take four upper-division courses (12 units). Lower-division course options include:

• 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]

Upper-division work (12 units) must be drawn from at least two different subfields; a full list of upper-division courses is provided by the department. Upper-division courses carry no prerequisites. Strategic course selection allows several minor courses to double-count with GE areas, for example:

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

Entry requirements

To complete the minor students must take two approved lower-division courses and four approved upper-division courses from at least two subfields. Upper-division courses listed by the department have no prerequisites. To declare the minor, submit an Add Minor request through BroncoDirect and then meet briefly with the minor coordinator (Dr. Mario Guerrero) for finalization.

BroncoDirect steps

• Log in to BroncoDirect and open Student Center → Academics.
• Choose Change of Minor → Create a New Request → Add a minor; search for Political Science and select it.
• Skip Minor Course Elective(s) and Minor Course Substitution(s), then review and submit.
• Meet with Dr. Mario Guerrero (mag@cpp.edu) to confirm; the coordinator will finalize the request after a short meeting.

Career prospects

The department highlights transferable skills attractive across many fields. Graduates with this minor commonly pair it with careers or further study in law, business, technology, public service, nonprofit management, media, and education; the curriculum emphasizes analytical thinking, written argumentation and policy literacy useful in those areas.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not list specific scholarships. Students should check university-wide financial aid resources and departmental announcements (minors gain access to the department listserv and event notices) for internship, research or funding opportunities.