Bachelor of Arts in International Relations – PLSI Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Roadmap

This is a sample pathway for students who transfer to San Francisco State University in the current Bulletin year with an AA-T in Political Science. Three units in the major (I R 104) and all lower-division GE requirements have been satisfied. Check with a major advisor about the most appropriate course sequence. Degree completion guaranteed in 60 units; see the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) section for more information.

To Do at SF State:

Enough total units to reach 120 minimum for graduation; 30 units minimum at the upper-division level; to include the following:

University-Wide Requirements: 9–15 Units                                          

  • American Institutions (0–6 units): US History, US Government, California State and Local Government requirements if not met pre-transfer.
  • Upper-Division GE Areas B, C, and D (9 units): Courses required for the major may double-count if approved for UD GE.
  • Students entering the major with the AA-T in Political Science are not required to fulfill SF State Studies requirements.
  • Complementary Studies: Consult with a department advisor on how transfer units and/or SF State units can be applied to ensure degree completion within 60 units.

International Relations Major: 40 Units

I R 104 met in transfer if CID POLS 130, 140 or 150 taken in fulfillment of the AA-T.

  • Core Requirements (16 units).
  • Electives (18 units): See footnote 1.
  • Culminating Experience Requirement (6 units): I R 550.

University Electives: 8 or More Units

Depends on course choices made at the community college, how transferred units are applied to the requirements above, and course choices at SF State. Some courses may meet more than one requirement, e.g. in both UD GE and the major.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
I R 208 Fundamentals of International Relations Theories, Issues, and Perspectives (Major Core) 4
I R 310 U.S. Foreign Policy (Major Core, UD-D, AERM, GP) 4
Major Electives (18 units) - Take One 1 4
University Elective 3
 Units15
Second Semester
I R 309GW International Relations Analysis and Application - GWAR (Major Core) 4
I R 312 Introduction to International Political Economy (Major Core) 4
Major Electives (18 units) - Take One 1 4
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 3
 Units15
Third Semester
I R 550 Senior Thesis in International Relations (Major Culminating Requirement) 6
Major Electives (18 units) - Take One 1 4
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities 3
US History 3
or University Elective if US History met before transfer
 Units16
Fourth Semester
Major Electives (18 units) - Take Two 1 6
U.S. and California Government 3
or University Elective if US/CA Government met in transfer
University Elective - Take Two 5
 Units14
 Total Units60
1

Major Electives (18 Units)

Students are required to complete 18 elective units related to international relations. At least 12 units of coursework must be upper-division I R courses (300-level or above) or be cross-listed with I R. Six additional units may be taken outside of the department upon the approval of a major advisor. Lower-division language courses taken in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and 200-level IR courses can be used for these 6 units; otherwise, upper-division courses are required.