Political Science Degree

The political science program at Ventura College prepares students for careers in federal, state, and local governments, as well as law, business, international organizations, nonprofit associations, campaign management and polling, journalism, electoral politics, and more. The program focuses the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Program courses include: political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of political institutions and processes. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer political science degrees.

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Ventura College

4667 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA

Ventura College is located in Ventura California.  VC is a public two-year institution established in 1925 to provide education opportunities to resident with Ventura County. The school is one of three that comprise the Ventura County Community College District, the other two being Moorpark College and Oxnard College.

Ventura College is one of the 112 higher education institutions that comprise the California Community College System.  California CCS is ultimately responsible for establishing statewide standards and policies for two year institutions funded by public dollars. The school originally operated as part of Ventura Union High School until 1962 when the district was formally formed and the school became a separate entity.

Today the school continues to expand its three campus locations to better serve its growing student body.  Enrollment at Ventura College is in excess of 13,500 annually.  As such, the school administration invests in academic programs, facilities, and services to help the college remain current and relevant.

Academics

Ventura College offers a number of programs that allows students to pursue academic or career paths based on their personal and professional goals. Individuals seeking transfer opportunities will complete a program that mirrors the first two years of a four year education.  This includes general education courses with a focus on local education that is affordable in nature.  Graduates from VC can then apply to a four year institution to continue an education by earning a bachelor's degree.

Transfer to one of California's two public university systems is made easier through agreements in place that guarantee admissions if certain academic preconditions are met. Transfer to out of state or private institutions will have varying requirements and should be discussed with a counselor.

Career training programs provide education in a high demand field for the purposes of long term employment in that field as a qualified professional. Individuals will choose the path and program that best meets their interests.  VC offers programs from health care to business-related courses.  In addition, the school offers highly technical degree programs to help students learn career-focused skills that can be taken directly into a trade.  In either case, students will learn in class and via hands-on applications to blend the two learning modalities.

Practical courses allow students to engage in skill development and training for fields that require such under supervised and controlled conditions, ensuring quality and safety. Programs typically take between one and two years to complete, resulting in an associate degree or certificate.

Programs offered include:

• Biology
• Bookkeeping
• Journalism
• Nursing
• Police Science

Admissions and Financial Aid

Ventura College maintains an open enrollment policy that allows any student who is at least eighteen years of age or has a high school diploma to enroll by completing the application, paying all fees, and providing transcripts and test scores if available.

Individuals are also asked to participate in orientation to become familiar with the campus and to meet with a counselor prior to registration in order to discuss goals, program enrollment and curriculum. Some students will be required to take placement exam prior to enrolling in a program or registering for classes.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships and is warded based on need as determined by a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Aid must be applied for yearly.

Students Enrolled in the Political Science Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Ventura College offers an associate's degree program in political science.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Political Scientists

Description

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, political scientists employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -2.3% from 2014 to 2024

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).