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Political Science Minor

School of Arts and Sciences

Overview

The political science minor provides students with an increased understanding of the political world, both inside and outside the United States. It does so through courses in American and world politics, political thought, public law and public administration. The exploration of things political is rigorously engaged in and informed by a Christian/Anabaptist worldview. Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to relate more intelligently to the world around them, both as national and global citizens.

Program Highlights

  • Courses focus on American and world politics, political thought, public law and public administration.
  • You will gain additional perspective by examining politics through different lenses, particularly a Christian worldview.

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Faculty

Catalog

Program Director: Ken Friesen, Ph.D.

Overview

The political science minor provides students with an increased understanding of the political world, both inside and outside of the United States. It does so through courses in American and world politics, political thought, public law and public administration. The exploration of things political is rigorously engaged in and informed by a Christian/Anabaptist worldview. Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to relate more intelligently to the world around them, both as national and global citizens.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Recognize and describe the major issues and debates within the discipline of political science.
  2. Explain the role and impact of governmental entities in contemporary state, national and international settings.
  3. Communicate effectively and appropriately in both oral and written forms, especially through the use of critical analysis in articulation and support of political ideas.
  4. Judge the impact of historical and contemporary social, political and economic movements on the shape of state, national or international policies.
  5. Evaluate political issues in the light of biblical principles, use ethical values to appraise political behavior and governmental policies, and participate discerningly in the political process.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Lower Division Prerequisites

  • PS 120 - American Politics and Society Credits 3

Required Courses (20-23 Units)

Core Program (11 Units)

  • PS 390 - Religion and Politics in America Credits 4 *
  • PS 440 - Human Rights & International Law Credits 4
  • PS 400 - Comparative Politics Credits 3 or
  • PS 420 - International Relations Credits 3

Breadth Program (9-12 Units)*

Select a minimum of three of the following:

  • BUS 475 - Law and the Business Environment Credits 3
  • CRIM 375 - Criminal Justice in America Credits 4
  • PS 300 - California History and Politics Credits 4
  • PS 340 - American Public Policy Credits 3
  • PS 371 - American Law and Legal System Credits 3
  • PS 373 - Nature, Law and Policy Credits 3
  • PS 411 - Modern Latin America: History, Politics And Culture Credits 3
  • PS 412 - Modern Africa: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
  • PS 414 - Modern Asia: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
  • PS 416 - Modern Middle East: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
  • PS 425 - Global Economics and Sustainable Development Credits 3
  • PS 430 - US Foreign Policy: History and Contemporary Issues Credits 4
  • PS 435 - Energy, Economics and Ethics Credits 3
  • PS 450 - History of Political Theory and Ideas Credits 3
  • PS 476 - Internship Credits 3

*American Studies Program (15-16 Units)

The American Studies Program (CCCU) in Washington, D.C., may be taken in place of PS 390 , PS 476  and two breadth courses.

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
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Non-traditional Admission

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Steps for Non-matriculated Admission
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Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

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Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements
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Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2025-2026

2024-2025

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Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
FPU Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

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Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

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Career Opportunities

The political science minor provides understanding that can be useful to you in a variety of careers in private and public political organizations including: local government, journalism, international organizations, political campaigns, interest groups/associations and colleges or universities.

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center