Political Science

The Department of Political Science has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

Advising Resources

Study Abroad Information on the Political Science Website

Political Science Advising Contact Information

Major-Specific Info

The Political Science encourages its students to add an international dimension to their education by participating in the Berkeley Study Abroad Program (BSA). Students studying abroad can take advantage of unique academic and experiential opportunities throughout the world, from Germany to Ghana, from Chile to China. Studying abroad gives students the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. Each year, political science students attend these and other BSA programs around the world.  With proper academic planning, students can have the experience of a lifetime with no loss of time in completing their degrees. 

Why study abroad?

Studying abroad allows political science majors to experience first-hand different political systems, cultures, and economies. Living and studying abroad will expand your perspective, improve your critical thinking, increase your independence, and better prepare you for a career in an internationally competitive world.  

Key highlights: 

  • Add an international dimension to your education
  • Increase language proficiency
  • Take courses on topics not readily available on the Berkeley campus
  • Improve critical thinking skills
  • Expand world view by experiencing another culture firsthand
  • Develop self-confidence and independence
  • Enhance résumés and/or applications for graduate school
  • Prepare for a career in an internationally competitive world 
When can I study abroad?

While it is possible for Political Science students to go abroad at almost any point in their academic careers, the particular term and length of time that you study abroad depends on what requirements you have left to complete in the major.  

Students should declare the major before studying abroad as the declaration process must be done in person. 

Of the eight upper division requirements for the Political Science major, no more than three can be satisfied with courses from other universities. Political Science  3 must be taken here at UC Berkeley, and should be completed before departure if you are studying abroad in your junior or senior year. 

Where can I study abroad?

BSA offers a variety of semester and year-long programs taught in English or a foreign language. The type of program you choose may depend on language proficiency, academic goals, and time constraints. 

Political Science students have taken a wide variety of courses throughout the world. Some examples are: 

  • Coping with Multipolarity (Sciences Po, France)
  • Capitalism & Democracy in Korea (Yonsei University, South Korea)
  • Latin American Politics (University of Chile)
  • Themes and Issues in Transatlantic Relations (Free University, Germany) 
What classes can I take?

Students hoping to complete major requirements abroad should meet with a Political Science adviser in 296 Social Sciences Building as soon as they have determined which university they would like to attend. 

Courses that are designated as Political Science by the Study Abroad Office are not necessarily accepted for the major. All courses must be reviewed in advance by the UC Berkeley Political Science department.  

A maximum of one course taken abroad can count towards the subfield specialization requirement, and none can satisfy a distribution requirement. Students are therefore advised to complete the five distribution requirements before going abroad. 

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

No.

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

All courses taken abroad must be evaluated by the Political Science Department at UC Berkeley before credit for the major is granted. Up to three (3) upper-division requirements may be fulfilled by approved courses taken elsewhere.  All approved courses taken abroad must transfer in as no less than 3 semester units each (or 4.5 quarter units). Click here for more information on requirements and our policy on taking courses elsewhere.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

Yes. Political Science has a database of previously approved courses on UCEAP.  We will be happy to share this information during advising hours. Click here to view our office hours. Please note that all courses, even those previously approved or designated as Political Science by the UCEAP office, must be evaluated and approved by the UCB Political Science department. This includes courses previously approved.

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

No – Given our specialization, distribution, and PS 3 requirements, there is no way to have a generic program plan that incorporates a semester or year abroad. We prefer to map out a plan with each student individually based on their remaining major requirements.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

Students must submit detailed syllabi and a “Request for Course Evaluation” form immediately upon arrival at the foreign university in order for courses to be reviewed for official approval towards the major. The turnaround time for course evaluations is 2 to 3 weeks, possibly longer during the summer and winter breaks. Detailed information packets on Study Abroad, which outline the department's evaluation process and criteria, are available outside the Undergraduate Advising Office at 296 Social Sciences Building and under the Undergraduate Program tab of the department’s website at http://polisci.berkeley.edu.

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

To do honors, students must enroll for a two-semester seminar in their senior year. The seminar is offered in a Fall-Spring sequence only and advanced planning the semester before is highly recommended. Students wishing to pursue honors and go abroad should plan accordingly. Click here for information on our honors program.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes, but only in calculation of major GPA for graduation purposes (2.0 minimum).

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

No.

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

The undergraduate advisers sign the UCEAP academic planning forms. Click here to view our hours. 

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

Our department does not place academic/advisor holds on single majors. However, declared double majors do have advisor holds prior to each registration period. These holds can be released by emailing the Undergraduate Advising Office directly.

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

Graduating while abroad: No courses taken outside the Political Science department at UC Berkeley can fulfill any requirements for the Political Science major unless explicitly approved in advance by the Political Science department. There are no guarantees of course approval. Students wishing to go abroad in their final semester are strongly encouraged to complete their major requirements before going. If students plan to complete remaining requirements abroad, they must submit course materials prior to leaving.

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

Yes.  Please contact the undergraduate advisers to talk further. Click here to view our hours.

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

No.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

Same process as courses from UCEAP programs. However, to confirm that units for your coursework from abroad will be accepted as transfer credit by UC Berkeley, you will need to have your program reviewed by the Central Evaluation Unit (CEU). To have your program reviewed, please send an email to Barbara Tassielli in the Study Abroad office at tass@berkeley.edu.