Asian student in classroom

What is a Transfer Pathway?

A transfer pathway represents a typical course schedule/sequence for a student planning to complete the A.A. degree within two years, then transfer and major in a specific discipline. A transfer pathway is not institution-specific. 

It is important to understand that the pathway provided in the adjacent tab is just one possible combination of classes by which to complete an A.A. and prepare for transfer in your chosen area of study. Other course combinations and sequences can work, too. It is strongly recommended that students work directly and frequently with a COD academic counselor/advisor, a COD faculty advisor, and academic counselors/advisors at potential transfer schools, to develop and execute a plan that works best for them.

For more information about Political Science, please visit the program page.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredits
MATH 1218
General Education Mathematics
or Quantitative Literacy
3
ENGLI 1101 English Composition I 3
POLS 1101 American Politics 1 3
Gen EdHumanities and Fine Arts 3
ElectiveElective 2 3
 Credits15
Second Semester
ENGLI 1102 English Composition II 3
Gen EdPhysical and Life Sciences 3 4
POLS 1105
State and Local Politics
or Comparative Politics
3
Gen EdHumanities and Fine Arts 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
 Credits16
Summer Semester
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
 Credits3
Third Semester
SPEEC 1100 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
Gen EdPhysical Science 4
Select one of the following: 1 3
State and Local Politics  
Comparative Politics  
World Politics  
Gen EdHumanities and Fine Arts 3
Gen EdHuman Relations 4 3
 Credits16
Fourth Semester
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
Gen EdGlobal Multicultural Studies 5 3
Gen EdContemporary Life Skills 6 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 7 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 8 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits65
1

The recommendation for Political Sciences students at College of DuPage is to take all Political Science courses: POLS 1101 American Politics, POLS 2203 Comparative Politics, POLS 2220 World Politics, and POLS 1105 State and Local Politics. Students unable to meet the recommendation above should choose one of two routes, American Politics or Global Politics.

  • Courses recommended for American Politics are, POLS 1101 American Politics, POLS 1105 State and Local Politics, and POLS 2220 World Politics.
  • Courses recommended for Global Politics are, POLS 2203 Comparative Politics, and POLS 2220 World Politics at a minimum.

After completion of these courses we recommend: POLS 2240 Introduction to U.S. Foreign Policy, POLS 2250 Comparative Politics of Latin America and Caribbean and POLS 2221 Politics of the Middle East or POLS 2220 World Politics.

2

Taking a language is recommended.

3

BIOLO 1100 Survey of Biology, BIOLO 1110 Environmental Biology, BIOLO 1130 Fundamentals of Biotechnology is recommended.

4

Recommended courses to meet Human Relations requirement:

5

Choose any course that meets the Global/Multicultural Studies. We recommend any POLS course.

6

We recommend any POLS course, SOCIO course, ECONO, HUMAN, EDUCA, or anything else you are interested in.

7

Students interested in international relations we recommend:

8

Students interested in American politics we recommend:

Program Milestones

First Semester

  • Consider joining or visiting with a professional, cultural or interest-based Student Club.
  • Meet with Political Science faculty to discuss concentration options.
  • If transfer institution is known student can take a Statistics class in place of the math courses listed.

Second Semester

  • If you have not done so yet this semester, it is important to make an appointment with a Faculty or Program Advisor to discuss your future academic progress.
  • Complete Math and English requirement. 

General Education Requirements

For general education requirements for the A.A. degree, please visit the A.A. degree catalog page.

Please note that the A.A. and A.S. Degrees currently require a minimum of 64 hours for completion. If the transfer pathway listed above has fewer than 64 hours listed, students will need to take additional coursework to reach that minimum. Students should consult with a faculty or program advisor to discuss their options.