Nov 08, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Political Science Major, B.A.


Department Information


Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Administration
PO Box 70651
Phone: (423) 439-4217
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/cas/polisci/

For further information about the Political Science Major, contact Dr. Colin Glennon, Chair of the department, at glennon@etsu.edu.

Political Science is the study of government, politics, and public policy in the United States and other countries, and of the relations among nations and states in the world community. The Political Science curriculum is designed to provide students with factual knowledge of these subjects and with the ability to analyze and evaluate different governmental systems, ideologies, political practices, and policy proposals. The Political Science major prepares students to be informed and engaged citizens and to pursue careers in government, law, public administration, education, journalism, international institutions, and political organizations.

Double counting of credits for the Political Science major and for another major or a minor is limited and must have the approval of the Coordinator of the Political Science major or the Chair of the Political Science Department.

Advising

Contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) to schedule an appointment with your advisor. Visit the CASE website www.etsu.edu/cas/case/ and call (423) 439-5602.

Transfer and Residency Policy

Transfer students majoring in political science should contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) for advising as soon as possible. This will ensure that the student’s previous work will be coordinated efficiently with ETSU requirements.

Transfer students should note that the Political Science major requires that at least 15 of the 36 credits required must be completed at East Tennessee State University.  Additionally, they must meet the specific requirements for the major or minor and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in their courses in Political Science.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits


Compass Core Curriculum

40-43 credits
Major Total Requirement 36 credits
     Major Core    (12 credits)
     Other: Subfields    (15 credits)
     PSCI Electives    (9 credits)
Foreign Language 3 credits
Minor 18-24 credits
Free Electives 14-23 credits
TOTAL 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: PSCI-BA  


College of Arts and Sciences : Visit link to view the complete list of B.A. degree requirements.

  • Completion of a foreign language course numbered 2020 or above with a grade of C- or better. Students may be required to take courses numbered 1010, 1020 and/or 2010 based on a placement test or equivalent.


Compass Core Curriculum   

These requirements include earning 40-43 credits in Strengthening Foundations, Understanding Natural and Social Worlds, Exploring Connections, Cultivate Artistic Awareness, and Growing as an Individual and Global Citizen categories.

Total Requirements for Political Science Major: 36 credits


Choose one (1) course from each of the following five (5) sub-fields: 15 credits


PSCI Electives: 9 credits


  • Three (3) courses to be selected freely from the Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Administration Department’s offerings.

Minor: 18-24 credits


Free Electives: 14-23 credits


Major Field Test


A major field test is required for graduating students. Please see advisor for more information.

Additional Information


Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency Exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.

Licensure Certification: Students interested in pursuing a teacher licensure program for certification should contact the advisor in the Office of Student Services, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall, College of Education. Students will major in the subject they wish to teach and minor in Secondary Education.