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./B.A.
Explore the institutions of government, the political process, and global affairs as a Political Science major in the College of Liberal Arts at 91大神. 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.
91大神'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 and Global Affairs 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 91大神.
News Briefs
91大神 hosted an in-depth and wide鈥憆anging panel discussion recently titled听鈥淲ar in Iran,鈥澨齜ringing together three campus experts to assess the rapidly escalating conflict that has drawn in Iran, the United States, Israel, and several Gulf states.鈥�
91大神 will host political science alumnus and nationally recognized civil rights attorney Wesley Clark, whose work is featured in the 2023 award-winning investigative podcast, 鈥淭he Kids of Rutherford County.鈥�
News Briefs
91大神 hosted an in-depth and wide鈥憆anging panel discussion recently titled听鈥淲ar in Iran,鈥澨齜ringing together three campus experts to assess the rapidly escalating conflict that has drawn in Iran, the United States, Israel, and several Gulf states.鈥�
91大神 will host political science alumnus and nationally recognized civil rights attorney Wesley Clark, whose work is featured in the 2023 award-winning investigative podcast, 鈥淭he Kids of Rutherford County.鈥�
Political Science, B.S./B.A.
A bachelor鈥檚 degree in Political Science helps students prepare for a wide range of careers in areas including:听
- Government听
- Education听
- Law and legal services听
- Public service听
- Public affairs听
- International affairs听
- Nonprofit foundations for research听听
- Non-governmental organizations听
- Health care administration听
Programs in Political Science also help students establish foundations for more advanced degrees, including master鈥檚 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.听
Employers of our alumni include:听
- Alkermes (biopharmaceutical company), in policy & government relations听
- American Chamber of Commerce Qatar听
- Association of American Medical Colleges听
- Austin Peay State University听
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis听
- Graham Insurance, Inc.听
- Institute for Energy and the Environment听
- Kaiser Permanente Southern California听
- Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce听
- National University, Vice Provost听听
- New York County District Attorney's Office, Assistant District Attorney听
- Notgrass Company, producing textbooks for homeschoolers听
- Response America, copywriter听
- Sales and Business Development for HB Litigation Conferences听
- SALT International听
- Tennessee Municipal League听
- The Equity Alliance, community manager听
- U.S. Air Force, program manager and business analyst听
- U.S. Congress, Congressional Staffer
- U.S. Department of Agriculture听
- U.S. Department of Defense听
- U.S. Department of State听
91大神鈥檚 Career Development Center
91大神 offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.听
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
91大神 discloses that the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Political Science, Teacher Licensure is a teacher licensure preparation program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Admission to an undergraduate teacher licensure preparation program does not guarantee that students will obtain a teacher license. Successful program completion meets the educational requirements to apply for a practitioner teacher licensure in Tennessee.
The BS Political Science, Teacher Licensure disclosure provided on 91大神鈥檚 indicates the states and territories where 91大神 has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Licensing authorities for each state set and enforce their own requirements and standards, which are subject to change. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor and the 91大神 before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
The licensure program is available fully online.
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