College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Administration
Political Science Program Information
Box 70651
Phone: (423) 439-4217
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/cas/PoliSci
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.
The total number of credits required for graduation in the Political Science major is 120. A minor field of study, of 18-27 credit hours, is required. The Political Science major requires the university-wide standard of a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA). 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. Transfer students should note that the Political Science major requires that at least 15 of the 36 credit hours required must be completed at East Tennessee State University.
For further information about the Political Science major contact Prof. Andrew Battista, Coordinator, at battista@etsu.edu or 423-439-6628. The main office of the Department of Political Science may be reached at 423-439-4217. To find and contact an academic advisor in the Political Science major follow this link: www.etsu.edu/advisement/continuingstudents/default.aspx
General Program Information
To earn a degree from ETSU, there are specific course requirements put forth by ETSU, by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), by each college, and by each department. All students must meet the degree requirements at each of these levels. Please follow the format below:
University-level Degree and Graduation Requirements
Total Credit Hours for Degree: 120
College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Degree Requirements
Students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences must meet the following requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. Some requirements must be taken in addition to the General Education Core, whereas others specify which courses from the General Education Core must be taken.
| Foreign Languages | Completion of a foreign language course numbered 2020 or above with a grade of C- or better * ** |
| | |
| Mathematics | Specified General Education Core: MATH 1530 or MATH 1910 |
| | |
| Non-U.S. History | 3 credit hours |
| | |
| Natural Sciences | General Education Core |
| | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | General Education Core |
| * | International Students whose native language is not English, and whose admission to ETSU requires them to take a standardized test of English as a foreign language (e.g., TOEFL), may substitute scores that meet the admission requirements for the foreign language requirement. |
| ** | Consult the Literature and Language Department’s placement policy listed at www.etsu.edu/cas/litlang/documents/foreignlanguagerequirement.pdf and in the listing for Foreign Languages in this catalog. |
TBR General Education Requirements: 41 - 42 Credit Hours
Below you will see the categories and courses specified under TBR General Education Requirements. Note that certain courses are required for this degree, specific to this major. Thus, these courses will satisfy both a TBR General Education requirement AND a requirement of this major. (Other majors may require different General Education courses.) Where specific courses are required for this major, we only list those courses under the category. If there are no specific major requirements for a category, all course options appear.
Communication
9 credits, consisting of 6 credits of written composition and 3 credits of oral communication.
Written Composition
Complete both of the following:
Oral Communication
Complete one of the following:
Humanities and Fine Arts
9 credits, consisting of 3 credits of literature, 3 credits of fine arts, and 3 credits of humanities electives.
Literature
Complete one of the following:
Fine Arts
Complete one of the following:
Humanities Electives
Complete one of the following:
Social and Behavioral Sciences
6 credits, consisting of two of the following:
History
6 credits, consisting of both of the following:
Natural Sciences
8 credits, consisting of two of the following (some require labs which are listed directly after the lecture):
(Note: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences must select 8 credit hours in a SINGLE laboratory science. Please see listing in College of Arts and Sciences B.S. Degree Requirements for options.)
Mathematics
Students eligible to enroll in this math course must do so during their first calendar year of enrollment or prior to accumulating 33 semester credits at ETSU.
Complete one of the following:
Political Science Major
Students majoring in political science must complete requirements for the General Education Program, both the core curriculum requirements and the requirements reinforcing academic proficiencies (see General Education Program section of this catalog). Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, either for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.). The political science major itself requires the completion of 36 semester credit hours.
Political Science Major Requirements: 36 Credit Hours
One course at or above the 3000 level in each of the (5) five sub-fields: 15 Credit Hours
Select three: 9 Credit Hours
- Three courses to be selected freely from the Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Administration Department’s offerings (9 credits)
Minor: 18 - 27 Credit Hours
Electives: 9-19 Credit Hours
Additional Information
Click here to view the Political Science Major Suggested Course Sequence .
Transfer Students–Transfer students must meet the specific requirements for the major or minor and must complete at least nine credit hours and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in their courses in Political Science (see section of this catalog on transfer students for other requirements).
Teaching Program Information
Teacher Education–Students interested in pursuing a teacher education program for certification as a government teacher in grades 7-12 are asked to see an advisor in the Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Administration and the professional advisor in the College of Education in 321 Warf-Pickel Hall.
Pre-Teacher Education–Declaration of Intent-All students desiring to complete a teacher education program or other public school licensure program must file a Declaration of Intent in 321 Warf-Pickel Hall. For filing deadlines and other information, see the professional advisor in 321 Warf-Pickel.
Professional Education Requirements–There is a total of 36 credit hours required for professional education. Please refer to the Education Minor section in this catalog for a list of the required courses that must be taken with the professional semester.
Return to: