Why study Political Science
The B.A./B.S. in Political Science prepares students for a broad range of careers in law, public service, and non-profit work. Graduates become teachers and lawyers, diplomats and strategists, analysts or data scientists. To get to their destination, students sharpen their skills in reading, writing, and oral advocacy. They develop proficiency in research and competence at analyzing both written and numerical data. During their required course of study, they also learn the basics of project management, organizational leadership, and team building. Taught by world-class faculty, successful graduates learn to think about public issues from local, national, and global perspectives and can propose solutions to complex problems that are both efficient and equitable. Graduates are thus well-prepared for graduate study in a wide variety of fields.
Furthermore, the program boasts special features not available at other schools. Students wishing to go to law school can hit the job market a year earlier than their peers thanks to Austin Peay’s 3+3 program, which sends students to participating law schools at the end of their junior year, saving a year of tuition in the process. Through the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, students interested in public service can earn college credit while obtaining valuable work experience at the state capitol in Nashville during the spring of their senior year. And those interested in international affairs can earn college credit during a summer internship through the Washington Center in Washington D.C.
Political science students are difference-makers. Some are traditional students seeking meaningful and fulfilling careers helping to solve legal, ethical, or social problems. Others are active-duty military or veteran returning students looking to translate their unique skills and experience into civilian employment. Whatever their background or ultimate destination, political science majors are sensitive to the complexities of a diverse and changing world and you will find them deeply engaged in local, regional, national, and international affairs.
Whatever their interests, a political science major gives students the tools and experiences to go further and be vectors of change in their chosen fields.
What will I Learn
- Students will develop general literacy and numeracy, with the goal of being able to accurately interpret, evaluate, and communicate social science research.
- Students will practice oral and written communication skills, including but not limited to persuasive writing, research reporting, and the effective presentation of data for non-technical audiences.
- Students will be exposed to a wide variety of cultural perspectives and political ideas with the goal of improving their awareness of, and ability to solve problems with, diverse audiences.
- Students will be asked to think both critically and ethically about their surroundings and reflect on their roles as responsible citizens in local, national, and global arenas.
- Graduates will receive job-market preparation and graduate school mentoring for careers in public policy, law, advocacy, public service, secondary and post-secondary teaching, polling, and social-science research.
Sample Course Plan and General Education Requirements
Political Science, BS Sample 4 year Plan
