Program: Political Science, B.A. - Middle Tennessee State University

Apr 07, 2025

2019-20 Undergraduate Catalog

Political Science and International Relations
615-898-2708
Michael Federici, program coordinator
Michael.Federici@mtsu.edu

Students majoring in Political Science can choose a general focus or a concentration in either Public Policy and Management or Pre-law.

Academic Map

Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Political Science, B.A., Academic Map

Degree Requirements

General Education (41 hours)

General Education requirements include Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.

The following courses are recommended for the program and can satisfy the respective General Education requirement:

PS 1005 or PS 1010 (Soc/Beh Sci)

Major Requirements (37 hours)

The major in Political Sciences requires a 2.00 GPA.

PS 1005 - Introduction to American Politics 3 credit hours
PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics 3 credit hours
PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession 1 credit hour
PS 3001 - Research Methods in Political Science 3 credit hours
PS 4800 - Senior Seminar 3 credit hours

PS electives (15 hours)

Foreign Language (6 hours)

Students must successfully complete 2010 and 2020 or any courses numbered above the 2000 level in a single foreign language.

Minor (15-18 hours)

Electives

To make 120 hours

Total Hours in program: 120

Curriculum: Political Science, B.A.

Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences Categories.

Freshman

ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
PS 1005 - Introduction to American Politics 3 credit hours
PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics 3 credit hours (Soc/Beh Sci)
Mathematics 3 credit hours
Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
Natural Sciences (2 prefixes) 8 credit hours
Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
General elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 32 Hours

Sophomore

ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) OR
ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) OR
HUM 2610 - Foreign Literature in Translation 3 credit hours (Hum/FA)
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 credit hours (Comm)
PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession 1 credit hour
PS 3001 - Research Methods in Political Science 3 credit hours
Foreign language 6 credit hours
Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
Minor course 3 credit hours
PS 3210 - International Relations 3 credit hours OR
PS 3220 - Comparative Politics 3 credit hours
Choose 6 hours from:
HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II 3 credit hours OR
HIST 2030 - Tennessee History 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 31 Hours

Junior

PS 3050 - The U.S. Presidency 3 credit hours OR
PS 3060 - The U.S. Congress 3 credit hours OR
PS 3250 - Public Management 3 credit hours OR
PS 3330 - Political Parties 3 credit hours OR
PS 3370 - American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers 3 credit hours
Minor courses 6 credit hours
PS electives 9 credit hours
General elective 3 credit hours
Foreign language 6 credit hours*
PS 4230 - Classical Political Theory 3 credit hours OR
PS 4700 - American Political Thought 3 credit hours OR
PS 4920 - Modern Political Theory 3 credit hours OR
PS 4930 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 30 Hours

Senior

PS 4800 - Senior Seminar 3 credit hours
PS electives 6 credit hours
General electives 9 credit hours
Minor courses 9 credit hours

Political Science, B.A.