Political Science
As a political science major, you will hone the writing, communications, and analytical skills that are critical to success.
Political Science, B.S.
Explore the institutions of government, the political process, and global affairs as a Political Science major in the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU. Cultivate skills in research, analysis, and communication, as well as critical thinking and creative collaboration with others, as you pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.
The Political Science major combines classroom learning with practical training through fieldwork, internships, student organizations, and competitive intercollegiate academic teams like Mock Trial and Model United Nations. The department also organizes workshops and sponsors speakers on political topics, including an annual lecture sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society.
MTSU's proximity to the state capital provides unique opportunities like paid internships with Tennessee's legislature. Students also enjoy hands-on training and career placement through internships with area law firms, political campaigns, and nonprofit organizations, and the Department of Political Science and International Relations helps to place students in internships in Washington, D.C.
Experienced faculty members guide students toward professional careers and lifelong engagement with politics at every level, from the local to the global. Students who major in Political Science can choose a general focus or a concentration in Public Policy and Management, Pre-law, or Teaching Licensure.
No matter what the focus, students interested in government, politics, and the law will find exciting opportunities for learning and career preparation with a Political Science major at MTSU.
News Briefs
Special classes, speakers supplement study
Students benefit from special advanced studies courses, with recent topics like Sustainable Development in Cities, India on the Eve of Independence, and American Politics in the Information Age. Guest speakers have included Jackie Sims, founder/director of "Beloved Community" Sustainability Project; Dr. Charles Lamb, constitutional law/civil rights expert; and Joseph Ingle, prison reform activist.
MTSU intern drafts bill into law
To say recent Middle Tennessee State University spring graduate Dalton Slatton "fit the bill" during his legislative internship would be somewhat of an understatement. Slatton, 21, of Whitwell, Tennessee, interned during the most recent session of the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee, for state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, the Senate Democratic leader. Before graduating with a degree in political science (pre-law concentration) and a minor in criminal justice, Slatton finished up his paid internship, obtained through MTSU's legislative intern program, knowing that he had successfully crafted and lobbied for a bill that passed both houses of the General Assembly — a feat veteran Capitol staffers told him may very well have been a first for an intern.
News Briefs
Special classes, speakers supplement study
Students benefit from special advanced studies courses, with recent topics like Sustainable Development in Cities, India on the Eve of Independence, and American Politics in the Information Age. Guest speakers have included Jackie Sims, founder/director of "Beloved Community" Sustainability Project; Dr. Charles Lamb, constitutional law/civil rights expert; and Joseph Ingle, prison reform activist.
MTSU intern drafts bill into law
To say recent Middle Tennessee State University spring graduate Dalton Slatton "fit the bill" during his legislative internship would be somewhat of an understatement. Slatton, 21, of Whitwell, Tennessee, interned during the most recent session of the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee, for state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, the Senate Democratic leader. Before graduating with a degree in political science (pre-law concentration) and a minor in criminal justice, Slatton finished up his paid internship, obtained through MTSU's legislative intern program, knowing that he had successfully crafted and lobbied for a bill that passed both houses of the General Assembly — a feat veteran Capitol staffers told him may very well have been a first for an intern.
A bachelor’s degree in Political Science helps students prepare for a wide range of careers in areas including:
- Government
- Education
- Law and legal services
- Public service
- Public affairs
- International affairs
- Nonprofit foundations for research
- Non-governmental organizations
- Health care administration
Programs in Political Science also help students establish foundations for more advanced degrees, including master’s degrees in public policy, public administration, international affairs, and of course, law degrees. Political Science graduates also use their skills in the private sector, especially in the areas of international business, trade, labor, and government relations.
Employers of our alumni include:
- Alkermes (biopharmaceutical company), in policy & government relations
- American Chamber of Commerce Qatar
- Association of American Medical Colleges
- Austin Peay State University
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis
- Graham Insurance, Inc.
- Institute for Energy and the Environment
- Kaiser Permanente Southern California
- Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- National University, Vice Provost
- New York County District Attorney's Office, Assistant District Attorney
- Notgrass Company, producing textbooks for homeschoolers
- Response America, copywriter
- Sales and Business Development for HB Litigation Conferences
- SALT International
- Tennessee Municipal League
- The Equity Alliance, community manager
- U.S. Air Force, program manager and business analyst
- U.S. Congress, Congressional Staffer
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of State
MTSU offers a Political Science teacher licensure option. The requirements are listed in the Requirements drop-down above.
Major or Minor in Political Science with Teacher Licensure
Students who want to teach government in high school should minor in Secondary Education; complete 12 hours of history (may include General Studies requirements); minor in History (highly recommended), Economics, or Geography; and take 33 hours in political science.
Students with teacher licensure in History, Geography, and Economics may also seek an add-on endorsement in government.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) College of Education’s teacher licensure preparation programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and are eligible for accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Political Science with teacher licensure programs at MTSU are designed to meet the licensure requirements set by the Tennessee Department of Education. Students should be aware that licensure requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. MTSU has not made a determination whether a specific program will meet all of the requirements of another US state or territory. MTSU recommends that students who plan to seek licensure outside the state of Tennessee contact the appropriate licensing agency and discuss their plans with their advisor. To obtain current information about each state’s and territory’s licensure requirements and any additional regulations, students should consult the US Department of Education’s website for state contacts at https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html.
Graduates of MTSU teacher education programs certified to teach in Tennessee are eligible for certification reciprocity in many states. Reciprocity is not an automatic or complete transfer of certification, thus individuals should consult the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) site at https://www.tn.gov/education/licensing.html and the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) site at https://www.nasdtec.net/page/Interstate as well as the US Department of Education state contacts site for information about any additional state requirements.
The licensure program is available fully online.
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