Department of Political and Global Affairs
Political Science
Welcome to the Political Science degree page!
Already a student? Use the drop down menu above to find news & resources.
Interested in the program? Great! Read below for information on our program offerings and the PGA department, scholarships, and more.
Are you an international student interested in Political Science at MTSU? Click here for MTSU International Affairs Office. This is where you can find information on international applications, visas, and scholarships.
What is Political Science?
Political science is the scientific study of politics, government, and power. It’s a social science that analyzes political behavior, thought, and activities. Students in Political Science explore the institutions of government, the political process, and global affairs.
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.
Students choose from a variety of courses within Political Science, which also includes Political Theory, International Relations, Comparative Politics & International Relations, and American Politics. The skills you can expect to gain from all your classes include research and analytical writing, communication and teamwork, data analysis, cultural awareness and interpersonal communication, and relevant digital & technological tools.
Political Science encompasses a wide range of topics, so naturally, the classes offered also reflect this flexibility. If you are more inclined toward US politics and law, you may enjoy Political Science classes such as American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers or The U.S. Presidency. If you want to work in political advocacy or campaigning, you would be a great fit for our Political Campaign Communication, Media, and Management class. If you are more into Political Philosophy, you will find a rich offering of theory classes such as Totalitarianism or Liberalism and Conservatism.
Keep scrolling to see more information about our courses or see the course list page here. Classes offered vary by semester.
Why choose Political Science at MTSU?
As a political science major, you will hone the writing, communications, and analytical skills that are critical to success.
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 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. We also support a Virtual Mentoring Program which connects vetted volunteer graduates with currently enrolled students to offer career guidance and advice.
You can visit PGA Student Spotlights to see what currently enrolled students are doing while at MTSU. You can also visit Spotlight on Graduates to see what graduates have been up to since graduating from MTSU.
PGA graduates are also well-equipped to continue on to graduate & law school. Our graduates have gone on to schools across the world including:
Belmont University College of Law
University of Cambridge
University of Alabama School of Law
Columbia Law School
University of Columbia
London School of Economics and Political Science
Johns Hopkins University
Tennessee State University
The George Washington University
George Mason University
Lipscomb University
University of Memphis
American University
University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law
University of Tennessee College of Law
The George Washington School of Law
Vanderbilt Law School
Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis
…and many more!
Popular places of employment for our graduates include the State of Tennessee, think tanks and academic positions, corporate and business entities across the US, public and private practices, the federal government & state and federal judicial system.
Political Science Classes
In consultation with their advisors, Political Science students can choose from a variety of classes to satisfy their degree requirements. To see the Degree Map, please click here.
Some of the Courses Political Science Students Can Take:
Required:
- PS 1005 – Introduction to American Politics
- PS 1010 – Introduction to Global Politics
- PS 2000 – Political Science and International Relations as a Profession
- PS 3001 – Research Methods in Political Science
- PS 4800 – Senior Seminar
American Politics (3 hours – Pick One) - PS 3050 – The U.S. Presidency
- PS 3060 – The U.S. Congress
- PS 3250 – Public Management
- PS 3330 – Political Parties
- PS 3370 – American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers
Comparative/International Relations (3 hours – Pick One) - PS 3210 – International Relations
- PS 3220 – Comparative Politics
Political Theory (3 hours – Pick One) - PS 4230 – Classical Political Theory
- PS 4700 – American Political Thought
- PS 4920 – Modern Political Theory
- PS 4930 – Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy
As a Political Science major with a general focus, you will also pick 2 minors. While not required, you can choose a minor within the PGA Department. We offer numerous minors and also coordinate with World Regional Minors.
Political Science Faculty
Our PGA faculty have decades of professional experience that includes working in non-profits, the public sector, community service, city management, federal and state government, and in research-intensive positions around the world.
PGA will often bring in guest speakers from different career paths, allowing students to get a glimpse of the variety of opportunities available to pursue. We also coordinate with MTSU departments and external partners to provide students with workshops, seminars, and hands-on activities related to their professional development.
You can view our faculty here. The current point of contact for Political Science is Dr. Steven Livingston (steven.livingston@mtsu.edu).
Our award-winning PGA Faculty are engaged with research, professional speaking, and hands-on instructional design. Moreover, the faculty are responsive, student-focused, and put an emphasis on engaging instruction.
Professional Work Experience & Mentoring
MTSU is located about 35 miles from Nashville, allowing for students to be centrally linked to the state capital for internships and work opportunities as well as events. We are also situated centrally to thriving workforce economies in Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, and Chattanooga.
Political Science students are especially encouraged to pursue our Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, which allows them to work full-time at the State Capitol in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as our Washington Center Internship Program which allows for full-time work in Washington, DC. These programs, in addition to our local internship options with entities such as the City of Murfreesboro and the Rutherford County government, provide a valuable supplement to your education.
We routinely partner with MTSU resources across campus, such as the Career Development Center, to bring workshops and seminars to students. We also have an introductory course to Political Science and International Relations which teaches students about job hunting, resume/CVs, networking, what career paths are open to them, MTSU resources, and much more. This course incorporates selected Virtual Mentors — these are PGA grads who volunteer their time to mentor current students. We also provide free tutoring for several of our classes in the MTSU Walker Library or over Zoom.
Students are also appropriately prepared for continued education at the postgraduate level. Many of our PGA graduates go on to study in postgraduate schools across the world, including Washington, DC, London, New York City, Chicago, Nashville, and in our own MA in International Affairs program at MTSU.
Events & Community
The Department of Political & Global Affairs fosters a diverse, inclusive, and open community for all students to thrive. MTSU often hosts events and opportunities for professional and academic development, as well as for social and community involvement. PGA encourages students to get involved with our departmental student groups and competitive teams, independent and collaborative research, studying or interning abroad, volunteering, civic engagement, and taking care of your mental & physical health.
We often sponsor fun activities for students, such as an Annual PGA Bike Ride in Nashville, outings to sports events, intercultural potlucks, and more. Students are highly involved in departmental student groups and receive support from PGA.
Various departments across MTSU and the College of Liberal Arts will bring in speakers and guest lecturers. We share information relevant to PGA students on our social media pages and via email. See some past examples below.
Find More Information
If you are a current student in Political Science student, please use the drop down menu to see important news and resources available to you.
If you are a prospective Political Science student, feel free to look through the available tabs and to contact us with any questions you have regarding the program, PGA, and MTSU.
Full Program Requirements can be found here.
Political Science Scholarships can be found here.
The Program Director for Political Science is Dr. Steven Livingston (steven.livingston@mtsu.edu).
You can submit a request for more information here.
We can be reached at pga@mtsu.edu or you may visit this page to learn how to apply today!
Our social media accounts are under the handle @mtsupga. You can follow us for daily updates and news.