Transfer Degree Pathway
Associate in Arts to Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Transfer Degree Pathway Guide
There are no specific admission requirements for this degree plan.
This program can be completed in a traditional classroom format or entirely online.
The baccalaureate degree in political science is the undergraduate degree offered by the university. It is awarded to students who have completed both university-wide requirements and the
requirements of the selected degree program. The following university-wide requirements apply
to all baccalaureate degrees.
The student must:
- Complete all Cardinal Core requirements.
- Complete all required courses and program requirements.
- Have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Complete 120 hours applicable to this program.
- Complete at least 60 hours at an accredited four-year institution.
Please reference the following for information about applying, scholarship, next steps and more.
- Transfer Application Process
- Transfer & Adult Scholarships
- Connect With Your Admissions Counselor
- Admitted Student Guide
- All admitted transfer students are required to meet with a University of Louisville academic advisor prior to registering for classes. During your advising appointment, your academic advisor will assess your transfer credit and provide a timeline to degree completion or provide details on Reverse Transfer.
Transfer Degree Pathway
Associate in Arts to Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Transfer Degree Pathway Program Requirements. The total baccalaureate degree requires 121 credit hours.
Category 1: KCTCS General Education Core (33 Hours)
KCTCS Course | Course or Category | Credits | UofL Course |
ENG 101 | Writing I | 3 | ENGL 101 |
ENG 102 | Writing II | 3 | ENGL 102 |
COM 181 or COM 252 | Oral Communication Gen Ed | 3 | COMM 111 or 115 |
POL 101 | American Government | 3 | POLS 201 |
POL 235 | World Politics (CS) | 3 | POLS 330 |
ECO 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | ECON 202 |
HIS 101, 102, 108 or 109 | World Civilization I, World Civilization II, History of the United States Through 1865, History of the United States Since 1865 | 3 | HIST 101, 102, 104 or 105 |
TBS XXX | Arts and Humanities Gen Ed | 3 | A/H XXX |
TBS XXX | Natural Science w/ a Lab | 4 | NS and SL XXX |
TBS XXX | Math Gen Ed | 3 | TBD XXX |
TBS XXX | Additional Natural Science or Quantitative Reasoning Course | 3 | TBD XXX |
| Subtotal: General Education Core | 34 |
|
TBS XXX means to be selected by KCTCS student.
TBD XXX means to be determined by UofL based on course selected.
Category 2: KCTCS Associate in Science Requirements (6 Hours)
KCTCS Course | Course or Category | Credits | UofL Course |
POL 255 | State Government | 3 | POLS 306 |
POL 210 | Introduction to European Politics: East and West | 3 | POL 202 |
| Subtotal AA/AS Requirement Courses | 6 |
|
Category 3: KCTCS Electives (21 Hours)
KCTCS Course | Course or Category | Credits | UofL Course |
CIT 105 | Digital Literacy or IC3 Fast Track Test* | 0-3 | CIS 100x |
FYE 105 | First-Year Experience | 3 | GEN 101 |
TBS XXX | Elective | 3 | TBD XXX |
TBS XXX | Foreign Language (all 4 must be in same area) or elective | 4 | TBD XXX |
TBS XXX | Foreign Language or elective** | 4 | TBD XXX |
TBS XXX | Foreign Language or elective** | 3 | TBD XXX |
TBS XXX | Foreign Language or elective** | 3 | TBD XXX |
| Subtotal: KCTCS Electives | 20-23 |
|
Total Associate Degree Hours | 60-63 |
*If digital literacy requirement is met outside of a course, additional credits will be required to fulfill elective requirements.
**All Foreign Language courses must be in the same area. Electives can be used towards a minor and students should work with their advisor on options.
Category 4: UofL Major Requirements (60 Hours)
UofL Course Code | UofL Course Name | Credits | KCTCS Course |
POLS 204 | Intro to International Relations | 3 |
|
POLS 390 | Political Science Research Methods | 3 |
|
POLS 495 | Senior Seminar - CUE, WR* | 3 |
|
POLS Electives | TBD | 6 | POLS 235 |
American Politics | POLS 306, 311-324, 327, 401(WR), 501, 507 | 3 |
|
Public Policy | POLS 302, 304-305, 310, 325-326, 333, 335, 348, 405, 444, 505, 510-512 | 3 |
|
International Relations | POLS 331(WR), 332(WR)-336, 338-339, 341, 363-364, 371, 406, 444, 437(WR), 450, 506, 520, 530 | 3 |
|
Comparative Politics | POLS 304, 328, 340, 345(WR), 341, 347, 349(WR)-350, 355-356, 362-363, 365(WR)-367, 370-371, 402, 437, 502, 563(WR) | 3 |
|
Political Theory | POLS 381-383, 384(WR), 386(WR), 387-388, 404, 504(WR), 568(WR) | 3 |
|
Hum/NS any level |
| 3 |
|
300+ Hum/NS | TBD | 3 | |
300+ Hum/NS | TBD | 3 | |
SS Electives any level | Any level Social Science electives outside POLS | 6 | |
300+ SS Electives | 300+ Social Science electives outside POLS | 9 | |
General Electives** | TBD (6-9 hours at 300 level or above) | 6-15 |
|
| Subtotal: UofL Major Requirements | 60 |
|
Total Baccalaureate Degree Credit Hours | 121 |
*WR-two approved courses at the 300 level or above
**The department encourages students to satisfy a portion of the elective requirements through completion of experiential learning courses such as POLS 430, POLS 465, POLS 510, POLS 511, POLS 520 or POLS 530.
***At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at 300 level or above.
Total Baccalaureate Degree Credit Hours
KCTCS General Education Core | 33 |
KCTCS Associate in Science Requirements | 6 |
KCTCS Electives | 21 |
UofL Major Requirements | 60 |
Total Baccalaureate Degree Credit Hours | 121 |
Updated: June 2026