Understand how power works, then help shape it
In an interconnected world, understanding the systems that govern our lives matters more than ever. A major in political science gives you the tools to take part fully in the democratic process and help shape policy at the local, national or global level.
Belmont’s political science degree immerses you in the political system. Full-term internships with government offices and agencies give you an up-close look at how government works. Research seminars let you go deep on a subject you care about. Study abroad in Germany, Australia and beyond puts you inside another country’s culture and politics.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to add your voice to the political conversation, in government, advocacy, law, teaching or another field. Political science is ranked No. 25 among Best Colleges for Political Science and Government, Other, in the U.S. by College Raptor, and graduates of the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences reported a 100% first destination rate for the Class of 2025.
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Earn your political science degree in Nashville, Tennessee’s capital
Belmont is a few miles from the Tennessee State Capitol, where the General Assembly meets and state agencies do their work. You can intern at the Capitol, the Tennessee Board of Regents and on local and regional campaigns, and through the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, you can debate student-written bills in the Capitol itself.
Your reach extends to the nation’s capital too. Belmont’s BelmontUSA program includes a location in Washington, D.C., for hands-on experience at the federal level, and the department regularly hosts scholars, authors and policy leaders from Nashville and beyond.
Is the political science major right for you?
Political science is a strong fit if you are:
- Headed for public service. You want to work in government, on campaigns or in advocacy, in legislative, electoral or administrative roles.
- Interested in law or graduate school. You want a strong foundation in government and political theory before law school or a graduate degree. If law school is your main goal, compare Politics and Public Law, which is designed specifically for it.
- Fascinated by global affairs. You want to understand conflict, diplomacy and other political systems. If you want required language study and a regional focus, compare International Politics.
- A debater or researcher. You love building arguments and testing ideas, on a debate team or in a research seminar.
Compete with a nationally recognized debate team
Belmont’s nationally recognized Speech and Debate team has won eight consecutive state titles. The team travels across the country to compete, giving you a place to sharpen the research, argument and public speaking skills political science careers demand.
Shape your political science bachelor’s degree
You can earn your political science bachelor’s degree as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. Consult the course catalog and your adviser to compare the requirements of each degree option.
After the core, you choose electives that match your goals. Ask your adviser about current offerings in global affairs, American government, and political theory and analysis.
If you are weighing related majors:
- Political Science, B.A./B.S. The broadest foundation in government, political theory, economics and international relations.
- Politics and Public Law, B.A./B.S. Designed specifically for law school, combining politics, business and philosophy with mentoring through law school admissions.
- International Politics, B.A./B.S. Required foreign language study, a regional specialization and a study abroad requirement.
- Legal Studies. Studies law directly, with a 3+3 pathway into Belmont’s College of Law.
What you’ll learn in political science
You start with a strong grounding in government, economics and political theory, then build skills in research methods, American political institutions and international relations. You will learn to:
- Explain how political systems and governments operate, locally and globally
- Analyze American political institutions, elections and public policy
- Compare political systems and conflicts around the world
- Apply political theory to current debates about democracy, rights and power
- Design and carry out original research using political science methods
- Make clear, evidence-based arguments in writing and debate
Admissions information
No audition or portfolio is required. You apply through Belmont’s standard undergraduate admissions process.
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
The core covers principles of government, economics, political theory, research methods, American political institutions and international relations, followed by electives in your area of interest.
Curious about your coursework? View the requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
Graduates of the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences reported a 100% first destination rate for the Class of 2025. Belmont’s overall Class of 2025 reported a 97% first destination rate, 11 points above the national average of 86%.
Faculty advisers and Belmont’s Office of Career & Professional Development help you find internships, prepare applications for law and graduate school and connect with employers in government and beyond.
Explore your interests, take on an internship or build your debating skills:
- Get real-world political experience. An internship with a political organization at the state, national or global level gives you an inside look at the political system.
- Hear from thought leaders. The department regularly hosts scholars, authors and other influential figures from Nashville and beyond.
- Compete in Speech & Debate. Belmont’s nationally recognized team travels the country and has won eight consecutive state titles.
- Study abroad. Immerse yourself in another culture and study political systems in Germany, Australia and other countries.
- Study away in Washington, D.C. BelmontUSA’s D.C. location offers hands-on experience in the nation’s capital.
- Join student organizations. Options include the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Belmont Pre-Law Society and its mock trial teams, the United Nations Association and Belmont College Democrats and Belmont College Republicans.
Learn from expert faculty
Political science faculty serve as advisers and mentors from your first semester through graduation, and their connections to Nashville’s political and legal communities open doors to internships, research and experiences at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C. Samantha Hubner (’16) called her adviser her “most trusted mentor for all four years at Belmont.”
Nathan Griffith
Email: nathan.griffith@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2076
Susan Jellissen
Email: susan.jellissen@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2072
Vaughn May
Email: vaughn.may@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2073
What you can do with a political science degree
A major in political science opens careers both in and out of politics. If you want to work in government, you’ll be prepared for legislative, electoral and administrative roles at every level. If you’re headed to law school or another graduate program, your Belmont degree strengthens your application. Here are some careers political science majors pursue:
- Attorney: Practice law in government, private firms or public interest organizations after earning a J.D.
- Legislative aide: Research issues, draft legislation and serve constituents for an elected official.
- Political strategist: Plan messaging and strategy for candidates, parties and issue campaigns.
- Policy analyst: Research problems and evaluate policy options for agencies, think tanks and advocacy groups.
- Lobbyist: Represent organizations’ interests to lawmakers and government officials.
- Public relations executive: Lead communication strategy for organizations navigating public and political issues.
- Government relations specialist: Build relationships between organizations and government and track policy that affects them.
Jace Wilder Selected to Represent Southern Regional Voices
A political science major, Wilder was named to the inaugural Freedom Fellowship Program cohort of GLSEN, the leading national organization working to guarantee safe and affirming education for LGBTQ+ students.
Testimonial
Samantha Hubner
Political Science
Acting Director of AI Policy, White House Office of Management and Budget
“Dr. Griffith remained my academic advisor and most trusted mentor for all four years at Belmont, and I am still so grateful for all that he and other Belmont faculty taught me.”
FAQ
Considering a political science degree? These answers cover what students and families ask most, from what the degree involves and how hard it is to careers, law school and how political science compares with Belmont’s related majors. If you don’t see your question here, the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences admissions team can help.
A political science degree is the study of government, political systems, public policy and political behavior, at home and around the world. At Belmont, you build a foundation in government, economics, political theory, research methods and international relations, then choose electives in areas such as global affairs or American government.
With a political science degree, you can work in government, campaigns, advocacy, public policy, law, public relations and teaching, or continue to law school or graduate school. You’re prepared for legislative, electoral and administrative roles at every level of government.
Jobs you can get with a political science degree include attorney (after law school), legislative aide, political strategist, policy analyst, lobbyist, public relations executive and government relations specialist.
Yes, political science is a useful degree because it builds research, writing, analysis and argument skills that apply in government, law, business and nonprofits. A poli sci degree is also a common foundation for law school. Graduates of Belmont’s College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences reported a 100% first destination rate for the Class of 2025.
The political science major is challenging because it requires a lot of reading, writing and analysis, and it includes research methods and some quantitative work. At Belmont, close faculty advising helps you manage the workload, and the subject connects directly to the news you follow every day.
Yes, Belmont offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in political science, so you can earn your poli sci bachelor’s degree on either track. Consult the course catalog and your adviser for the requirements of each degree option.
Both prepare you well for law school. Choose political science if you want the broadest foundation in government and political theory with room to explore global affairs or American politics. Choose Politics and Public Law if you want a major designed specifically for law school, combining politics, business and philosophy with individual mentoring through law school admissions.
Yes, Belmont political science majors complete full-term internships with government offices and agencies at the local, state, national and global levels, including the Tennessee State Capitol, the Tennessee Board of Regents and political campaigns. BelmontUSA also offers a location in Washington, D.C.
Yes, political science majors at Belmont can study abroad in Germany, Australia and other countries to experience another culture and study its political system firsthand.
Contact Us
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Sophie Chua
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.8335
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