Political Science, BA
Are you interested in how political institutions, campaigns and elections, public policy, international affairs, culture, civil rights, and other forces shape the world around us? Political science is the foundation to understand how these different forces interact and develop, influencing everything from global power dynamics to environmental decisions and more. In our Political Science BA program, you’ll learn how to champion human rights, decode international relations, engage in the political system, lead a public organization, and reimagine public policy.
Program Overview
The Political Science BA program teaches students the innerworkings of government, preparing them for careers in law, government, journalism, and more.
Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career immediately after earning the BA or going on to complete graduate studies, the Department of Political Science’s bachelor’s program prepares you to understand and analyze political events and public policy issues, all while learning to conduct and evaluate meaningful research.
The program also offers professional development opportunities through internships and study abroad, as well as rigorous coursework that’s customizable to each student’s interests, allowing them to create their own unique professional DNA.
Concentrations
Whether you’re interested in pursuing a general political science degree and learning about the nuances of local, state, and national governments, or you want to gain specialized knowledge in topics such as public health, social justice, international law, and human rights advocacy, our concentrations offer a pathway for you to tailor your studies to your unique interests.
Our current selection of concentrations include:
- Political Science, BA (general)
- Democracy, Social Problems, and Political Advocacy concentration
- Human Rights and Justice in the International Systems concentration
- International Affairs concentration
- Law and Courts concentration
- Public Administration concentration
Honors
The Department of Political Science offers an Honors pathway for students interested in more advanced, rigorous coursework. In Honors, you’ll forge meaningful connections with professors by completing an Honors Thesis on a research topic of your choice. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 in political science and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
The Honors pathway is available for all six concentrations.
Accelerated Combined BA/MA Program
Our program also offers an accelerated combined BA/MA program that allows students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. Undergraduate students take up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework that counts towards both their BA and MA degrees.
Our program allows students to earn both a BA and MA in Political Science.
Online Programs – Vols Online
The Political Science BA program is also offered through Vols Online, UT’s distance education program, which has been ranked #10 nationally for online bachelor’s programs. This unique option allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree completely online.
Why Study Political Science?
A Bachelor of Arts in political science at UT provides the opportunity to tailor your coursework to your needs. Whether that’s through specialized concentrations, Honors courses, accelerated five-year BA/MA programs, and even distance education opportunities, you can make the most of your academic journey whatever way you see fit.
Plus, the Department of Political Science offers a range of departmental scholarships and internship opportunities through its close relationship with the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program (TLIP), as well as study abroad opportunities through its London, Palestine, and Florence Summer Programs. Many students also benefit from strong undergraduate research opportunities.
The unique opportunities gained through the Political Science BA program ensure students can pursue their individualized research interests or engage in experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for the future.
What Can You Do with a BA in Political Science After Graduation?
Political science prepares students for many of today’s fastest-growing careers by teaching them how to analyze complex problems, interpret data, communicate effectively, and make evidence-based decisions. These skills are highly valued in fields such as public policy, government relations, intelligence analysis, compliance, public affairs, law, and nonprofit leadership.
As organizations increasingly need professionals who can navigate regulations, public issues, and global challenges, political science graduates are well positioned to fill roles that require strong analytical thinking, research expertise, and leadership abilities.
Our program is multifaceted, preparing students for careers in government as legislative assistants, policy analysts or advisors, and government relations coordinator. Students can also work in public service, either in management or in service delivery. In business, students might become a public policy consultant, government affairs liaison, or corporate compliance officer.
The skills and experience this program provide will qualify you to work in any of these career fields.
Featured Courses
POLS 330 Law in American Society
In this course, students will be introduced to law as a process through which social problems are addressed in the United States. Students will study examples from case law, legislation, and administrative regulation.
POLS 371 Terrorism and Political Violence
This course focuses on the causes and consequences of terrorism and political violence. Students will be introduced to theoretical and empirical research on violent political conflict and the role of non-state actors in our world today. Topics will vary, but may include: trends in armed conflict, underlying causes of terrorism and political violence, characteristics of violent non-state actors, strategies of violent non-state actors, the process of radicalization, and efforts to counter violent non-state actors.
POLS 454 Politics in China and Japan: Culture, Power and Competition
This course discusses topics such as Chinese authoritarian resilience, implications of a rising China for the rest of the world, interactions between economic development and political development, political culture in China and Japan, and Japanese-style democracy.
POLS 430 United States Constitutional Law: Sources of Power and Restraint
Topics covered in this course include judicial review, constitutional powers of the President and Congress, federalism, sources of regulatory authority, and constitutional protection of political and economic rights.
Complementary Minors and Certificates
Looking to enhance your academic experience and expertise? Considering pursuing one of the following programs in addition to your primary field of study.
- Global Development Minor
- Philosophy Minor
- Political Science Minor
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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