Our Programs
San Francisco State University’s Political Science programs provide students with a strong foundation in political analysis, research, and communication, preparing them for careers in government, law, public policy, media, and international affairs.
The undergraduate major and minor emphasize critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and civic engagement, while the Master of Arts supports advanced study and preparation for doctoral programs or professional pathways. Additional opportunities—including a pre-law certificate and an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s scholars program—allow students to deepen their expertise and position themselves for success in law school, public service, and a wide range of political and policy-related careers.
Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
The major offers a solid undergraduate education in political and social science. Graduates are prepared for careers in government organizations, interest groups, political parties, political consulting, lobbying organizations, campaign management, political polling, media and journalism and pre-law education for law school.
SFSU Accelerated Bachelors + Masters
The Political Science SFSU Accelerated Bachelors + Masters program provides an accelerated route for students to enter a competitive workforce in government, law, business, teaching and/or to better prepare them for more advanced graduate training in doctoral programs and law schools.
Learn more about the Political Science SFSU Accelerated Bachelors + Masters program.
Minor in Critical Social Thought
The Minor in Critical Social Thought program draws from Marxism, socialism, anarchism, the Frankfurt School, radical environmentalism and anti-consumerism, postmodernism and post-structuralism, globalization studies, feminism, queer theory, postcolonial and subaltern studies, disability studies, critical race theory, theories of art and visual representation, and other systems of thought that pay attention to the questions of power and exploitation in world politics, culture, economics, and the formation of identities.
Minor in Political Science
A minor in Political Science offers students a solid grounding in the basic principles of political science, and training in more advanced coursework. The PLSI Minor makes a good complement to a variety of majors ranging from History to Communications.
Pre-law Certificate
The Pre-law Certificate, in combination with a baccalaureate degree in any major, provides valuable preparation for law school.
Graduate Programs
Master of Arts in Political Science
The Master of Arts in Political Science is designed for students who wish to proceed to further post-graduate study at the doctoral level as well as those who seek to terminate their study with the master’s degree.