Program: Political Science, Pre-Law Concentration, B.S. - Middle Tennessee State University

Apr 08, 2025

2021-22 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.

The Pre-law concentration is designed for the student who plans to attend law school. A combination of core political science courses and courses in related disciplines has been found to provide a sound background for law school. Some law schools will not accept any professional or technical courses as part of their minimum requirement. It is essential that the student consult with his or her advisor in instances where such courses will be taken.

Academic Map

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

Political Science, Pre-Law, B.S., Academic Map

Degree Requirements

General Education	41 hours
Major Requirements	37 hours*
Pre-Law Cognate	18 hours*
Minor	15-18 hours
Electives	6-12 hours
TOTAL	120 hours

*This program requires courses that can also fulfill requirements of the General Education curriculum. If program requirements are also used to fulfill General Education requirements, the number of elective hours will increase.

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 course required by the program meets General Education requirements:

PS 1005 or PS 1010 (Soc/Beh Sci)

Major Requirements (37 hours)

The major in Political Science requires a 2.00 GPA.

PS 1005 - Introduction to American Politics 3 credit hours
PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics 3 credit hours OR
PS 1015 - Introduction to Political Theory 3 credit hours
PS 3370 - American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers 3 credit hours OR
PS 3380 - American Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights 3 credit hours
PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession 1 credit hour
PS 2440 - Law and the Legal System 3 credit hours
PS 3360 - Law and Policy 3 credit hours
PS 4800 - Senior Seminar 3 credit hours

Political Science Electives (18 hours)

PS 2020 - State and Local Government 3 credit hours
PS 3050 - The U.S. Presidency 3 credit hours
PS 3060 - The U.S. Congress 3 credit hours
PS 3110 - Politics and Literature 3 credit hours
PS 3160 - American Public Policy 3 credit hours
PS 3170 - Civil Rights Policy and Politics 3 credit hours
PS 3318 - Liberalism and Conservatism 3 credit hours
PS 3350 - Interest Groups and Social Change 3 credit hours
PS 3420 - African American Politics 3 credit hours
PS 3500 - International Law 3 credit hours
PS 3550 - Democratic Participation and Civic Advocacy 3 credit hours
PS 3600 - U.S. Environmental Policy 3 credit hours
PS 3780 - Study Abroad 3 to 6 credit hours
PS 3910 - International Organization 3 credit hours
PS 4030 - Human Rights 3 credit hours
PS 4040 - Pre-Law Internship 3 credit hours
PS 4230 - Classical Political Theory 3 credit hours
PS 4240 - American Foreign Policy 3 credit hours
PS 4260 - The Political Status of Women in the World 3 credit hours
PS 4700 - American Political Thought 3 credit hours
PS 4920 - Modern Political Theory 3 credit hours
PS 4930 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy 3 credit hours

Pre-Law Cognate (18 hours)

In addition, students should also complete the following courses in consultation with their advisor. This cognate takes the place of one 18-hour minor. The same course cannot be used for both major and cognate.

COMM 4650 - History and Theory of Rhetoric 3 credit hours
PHIL 2110 - Elementary Logic and Critical Thinking 3 credit hours
PHIL 3150 - Ethics 3 credit hours
PLEG 3010 - Litigation 3 credit hours
PLEG 3420 - Torts 3 credit hours
PS 3010 - Women and the Law 3 credit hours
PS 3370 - American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers 3 credit hours
PS 3380 - American Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights 3 credit hours
PS 3490 - Alternative Dispute Resolution 3 credit hours
PS 3530 - Legal Writing and Research 3 credit hours
PS 4040 - Pre-Law Internship 3 credit hours
PS 4290 - Public Service Internship 1 to 12 credit hours
PS 4590 - Administrative Law 3 credit hours
PS 4015 - Advanced Studies in Law and Courts 3 credit hours
PS 4560 - Identity and the Law 3 credit hours
PS 4600 - Environmental Law 3 credit hours

Minor (15-18 hours)

Electives (6-15 hours)

Curriculum: Political Science, Pre-Law

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