RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

As a Political Science and International Relations major, you have the opportunity to become an independent researcher and take part in original intellectual work. Nothing shows potential employers, law schools, and graduate schools your mastery of key skills and the ability to act independently than completing your own research. You have multiple opportunities to craft and conduct research on your own ideas, and to both present and publish your work.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND ON THIS PAGE: A) Why Bother With Your Own Research? B) Do Research for Credit or Cash C) Presenting and Publishing Your Research

 

A) Why Bother With Your Own Research?

With undergraduate research, you work on a topic and project of your own design over the course of one or two semesters. You will work with a faculty mentor who works in the same general area; the mentor provides guidance and feedback, but the research is YOURS. Taking the opportunity to pursue your own research ideas offers many benefits. By participating in undergraduate research you will:

          -Develop a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a Political Science/International
           Relations faculty member;

          -Clarify your academic and career interests and goals;

          -Acquire knowledge in your academic field that transcends classroom study;

          -Enhance critical skills in communication, independent thinking, creativity and problem-
           solving; and,

          -Enhance professional and academic credentials to support your applications for
           scholarships, awards, jobs and entry into graduate and professional schools;

Research, in short, helps you learn how to apply the concepts learned in class and demonstrate to others that you have the skills and independence to act on your own ideas.

 

B) Do Research for Credit or Cash

The Department of Political Science offers opportunities for you to pursue your own research and earn credit toward your degree. In addition. the University has a program where-- rather than credit-- you can earn cash fellowships for conducting your own research.

Research Opportunities
For Credit PS 4970: Undergraduate Research One to six credits. Students pursue their own topics and fields of concentration under the supervision of a political science faculty member. Working with the faculty member, the student will design and conduct independent research, with the final paper presented at a conference or a public forum on campus.	For Credit PS 4950: Community-Based Research Practicum One to six credits. Students are given supervision in planning and carrying out an applied social research project that is defined in partnership with a local civic group, nonprofit agency, or public department. Students may work individually or in groups of up to six. A final report is presented to the community partner at the end of the course. Projects must be approved prior to enrollment.
For Cash MTSU Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity Grants (URECA)

 

C) Presenting and Publishing Your Research

An essential part of all academic research is the opportunity to share your results with others in the community. This both provides you with a chance to improve your professional communication skills and add substantive lines on your resume for job, law school, and graduate school applications.

On campus, you can present your own work at Scholars Week, held each Spring.

Students also have the opportunity to present their work at professional conferences, such as the Tennessee Political Science Association and other regional and national associations in the field. Talk to your academic advisor and individual professors about the best places to present your research.

There are now also many journals that just publish undergraduate research, and thus you can get your work in print. A good list of undergraduate research journals can be found HERE.