Political Science – American Government
Overview
Completing the Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.) with a concentration in Political Science - American Government will prepare students for work in the public or private sector that focuses on American politics, society, and government.
The Political Science - American Government concentration is designed to incorporate a base of knowledge about government in politics, including a fundamental understanding of how the American government works, the academic discipline of political science, state and local government functions, and political parties, campaign, and elections. This focus along with the coursework will prepare students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in further Political Science studies and future careers in American government.
Program Type
Associate in ArtsHow to Enroll
To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.
Questions?
Sample Program Plan and Costs
Class Delivery Methods
View current courses offered via our online course directory.
| On-Campus | Traditional. Classes meet on campus. |
|---|---|
| Virtual | 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom. |
| Hybrid | Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual. |
| Online | 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time. |
Full Time Schedule
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (15 Credit Hours) |
ENG-101 |
English Comp I English Comp I ID: ENG-101 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented. |
• | • | • | • | 3 |
| PSC-201 |
American Government American Government ID: PSC-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of national governmental institutions with emphasis on the constitution, the functions of executive, legislative and judicial branches, civil liberties and the role of the electorate. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| MUS-105 |
Music Appreciation Music Appreciation ID: MUS-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to the study of music with focus on the elements of music and their relationships, the musical characteristics of representative works and composers, common musical forms and genres of various western and non-western historical style periods, and appropriate listening experiences. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| COL-105 |
Freshman Seminar Freshman Seminar ID: COL-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the purposes of higher education and provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college. The course is designed to help freshmen adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| MAT-120 |
Probability and Statistics Probability and Statistics ID: MAT-120 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics: introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals,and test hypothesis for large and small samples; types I and II errors; linear regression; and correlation. (Graphic calculator required) |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| Semester 2 (16 Credit Hours) |
PSC-205 |
Politics and Government Politics and Government ID: PSC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the concepts and problems involved in man's relationships with governments and political change. This course emphasizes comparative institutions of government, analysis of political behavior, and political ideology. |
• | 3 | |||
| ENG-102 |
English Comp II English Comp II ID: ENG-102 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| SPA-101 |
Elementary Spanish I Elementary Spanish I ID: SPA-101 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including an introduction to the Hispanic cultures. |
• | • | 4 | |||
| HIS-202 |
American History: 1877 to Present American History: 1877 to Present ID: HIS-202 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of u.s. history from 1877 to the present. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| PHI-105 |
Introduction to Logic Introduction to Logic ID: PHI-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to the structure of argument, including symbolization, proofs, formal fallacies, deductions, and inductions. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 3 (17 Credit Hours) |
PSC-215 |
State and Local Government State and Local Government ID: PSC-215 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of state, county, and municipal government systems, including interrelationships between these systems and within the federal government. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| SPC-205 |
Public Speaking Public Speaking ID: SPC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| SPA-102 |
Elementary Spanish II Elementary Spanish II ID: SPA-102 Credit Hours: 4 This course continues development of the basic language skills and the study of the Hispanic cultures. It stresses the grammar and vocabulary necessary for fundamental communication skills. |
• | • | • | 4 | ||
| HIS-102 |
Western Civilization Post 1689 Western Civilization Post 1689 ID: HIS-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of western civilization from 1689 to the present, including major political, social, economic, and intellectual factors which shape the modern western world. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| BIO-101 |
Biological Science I Biological Science I ID: BIO-101 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the scientific method, basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, cell physiology, cell reproduction and development, mendelian genetics, population genetics, natural selection, evolution, and ecology. |
• | • | • | 4 | ||
| Semester 4 (13 Credit Hours) |
PSC-225 |
Political Parties, Campaigns & Elections Political Parties, Campaigns & Elections ID: PSC-225 Credit Hours: 3 This course will focus on the dominant two-party system in U.S. politics, the federal campaign and election system, and electoral campaign races. The course will trace the evolution of political parties in the U.S., as well as focus on how campaigns are mounted and won. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| SPA-122 |
Basic Proficiency Spanish Basic Proficiency Spanish ID: SPA-122 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers the practice and further development of essential listening, reading, speaking and writing skills. |
• | 3 | ||||
| SOC-101 |
Introduction to Sociology Introduction to Sociology ID: SOC-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| GEO-205 |
Physical Geography Physical Geography ID: GEO-205 Credit Hours: 4 This course introduces the basic principles and methods of physical geography and applies them to the study of the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. |
• | 4 | ||||
| Total Credit Hours | 61 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$12,200.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||
Part Time Schedule
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (9 Credit Hours) |
ENG-101 |
English Comp I English Comp I ID: ENG-101 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented. |
• | • | • | • | 3 |
| PSC-201 |
American Government American Government ID: PSC-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of national governmental institutions with emphasis on the constitution, the functions of executive, legislative and judicial branches, civil liberties and the role of the electorate. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| COL-105 |
Freshman Seminar Freshman Seminar ID: COL-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the purposes of higher education and provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college. The course is designed to help freshmen adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| Semester 2 (6 Credit Hours) |
MAT-120 |
Probability and Statistics Probability and Statistics ID: MAT-120 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics: introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals,and test hypothesis for large and small samples; types I and II errors; linear regression; and correlation. (Graphic calculator required) |
• | • | • | 3 | |
| MUS-105 |
Music Appreciation Music Appreciation ID: MUS-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to the study of music with focus on the elements of music and their relationships, the musical characteristics of representative works and composers, common musical forms and genres of various western and non-western historical style periods, and appropriate listening experiences. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours) |
PSC-205 |
Politics and Government Politics and Government ID: PSC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the concepts and problems involved in man's relationships with governments and political change. This course emphasizes comparative institutions of government, analysis of political behavior, and political ideology. |
• | 3 | |||
| ENG-102 |
English Comp II English Comp II ID: ENG-102 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| Semester 4 (10 Credit Hours) |
SPA-101 |
Elementary Spanish I Elementary Spanish I ID: SPA-101 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including an introduction to the Hispanic cultures. |
• | • | 4 | ||
| HIS-202 |
American History: 1877 to Present American History: 1877 to Present ID: HIS-202 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of u.s. history from 1877 to the present. This course includes political, social, economic, and intellectual developments during this period. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| PHI-105 |
Introduction to Logic Introduction to Logic ID: PHI-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to the structure of argument, including symbolization, proofs, formal fallacies, deductions, and inductions. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 5 (10 Credit Hours) |
PSC-215 |
State and Local Government State and Local Government ID: PSC-215 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of state, county, and municipal government systems, including interrelationships between these systems and within the federal government. The impact of current events on the national government and institutions is emphasized. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| SPC-205 |
Public Speaking Public Speaking ID: SPC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| SPA-102 |
Elementary Spanish II Elementary Spanish II ID: SPA-102 Credit Hours: 4 This course continues development of the basic language skills and the study of the Hispanic cultures. It stresses the grammar and vocabulary necessary for fundamental communication skills. |
• | • | • | 4 | ||
| Semester 6 (7 Credit Hours) |
HIS-102 |
Western Civilization Post 1689 Western Civilization Post 1689 ID: HIS-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a survey of western civilization from 1689 to the present, including major political, social, economic, and intellectual factors which shape the modern western world. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| BIO-101 |
Biological Science I Biological Science I ID: BIO-101 Credit Hours: 4 This course is a study of the scientific method, basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, cell physiology, cell reproduction and development, mendelian genetics, population genetics, natural selection, evolution, and ecology. |
• | • | • | 4 | ||
| Semester 7 (6 Credit Hours) |
PSC-225 |
Political Parties, Campaigns & Elections Political Parties, Campaigns & Elections ID: PSC-225 Credit Hours: 3 This course will focus on the dominant two-party system in U.S. politics, the federal campaign and election system, and electoral campaign races. The course will trace the evolution of political parties in the U.S., as well as focus on how campaigns are mounted and won. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| SPA-122 |
Basic Proficiency Spanish Basic Proficiency Spanish ID: SPA-122 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers the practice and further development of essential listening, reading, speaking and writing skills. |
• | 3 | ||||
| Semester 8 (7 Credit Hours) |
SOC-101 |
Introduction to Sociology Introduction to Sociology ID: SOC-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions. |
• | • | • | 3 | |
| GEO-205 |
Physical Geography Physical Geography ID: GEO-205 Credit Hours: 4 This course introduces the basic principles and methods of physical geography and applies them to the study of the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. |
• | 4 | ||||
| Total Credit Hours | 61 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$12,200.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||
What’s next after I complete this program?
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Students who wish to pursue a degree in Political Science should continue their education at a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree. Many of the more successful positions in government relations require further education in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public administration, and public policy.