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Political Science

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Why study Political Science 

Austin Peay’s Political Science graduates gain the training and preparation to enter a variety of careers. According to the American Political Science Association, a bachelor’s degree in Political Science can help you build exciting careers in federal, state, and local governments; law; business; international organizations; nonprofit associations and organizations; campaign management and polling; journalism; pre-collegiate education; electoral politics; research and analytics; and teaching at the university level. There is no end to the possibilities.

There is no question that earning a Political Science degree will lead to an exciting profession that allows a student to grow and acquire skills to develop and change in the directions in which their special interests can take them. Political Science majors gain analytical skills and the knowledge necessary for understanding and influencing political activities that occur every day. From legal disputes to elections to international crises, the world of politics is constantly changing. What happens in politics affects our own backyard, including city hall, Fort Campbell, KY, the state government in Nashville, and activities in our nation’s capital. Having a Political Science degree helps to understand events around the world and provides a career that brings new challenges and rewards.

Political Science faculty have decades of real-word experience and education in the political science, international relations, and legal fields. All full-time faculty members have completed terminal degrees in political science. Faculty also have diverse backgrounds originating from six different countries. All part time instructors have a master’s degree in political science.

Faculty led opportunities that include undergraduate research, civic and community-based learning, a 15 credit hour legislative internship program at the Tennessee General Assembly, the Washington Center internship, plus more private and public internships, and study abroad opportunities provide students access to real world connections and experiences. All seniors must take and pass a newly created senior capstone course. The Political Science program offers eight scholarship opportunities to majors and minors.

What will I Learn

 

Sample Course Plan and General Education Requirements

Political Science, BS Sample 4 year Plan

Political Science, BA Sample 4 Year Plan

General Education Core

Political Science major Salandy to announce presidential bid ... someday

The Austin Peay junior will use her degree, internship at Tennessee Capitol to apply to law school

“What reeled me into the political science major and politics and law in general was how complex the field is and how there is never a dull moment, which I love,” Salandy said. "And it's so powerful. It affects me, it affected my ancestors, it affects all of us and it will affect the people in the future."