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Political Science, Bachelor

  • Application Deadline
  • 48 months
    Duration
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Overview

The department offers a curriculum focused on the major subfields of Political Science, specifically: American Government, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory, as well as Political Methodology. For completion of the major, students are required to develop an expertise through coursework and independent study in one of these subfields, as well as successfully complete an exit exam in the subfield. Students may also minor in American Politics, World Politics, and Political Theory.

Undergraduate research opportunities are afforded through Directed Study courses with faculty members as well as student research assistant and other positions within the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) and the RIPS (Research on Individuals, Politics and Society) lab.

Undergraduates are also encouraged to participate in the Tennessee Intercollegiate Student Legislature and Tennessee Moot Court programs, both of which expose students to crafting and passing legislation as well as conducting oral argument at the appellate level. These programs are overseen by Political Science faculty advisers.

The department offers an Honors Program requiring students to conduct independent investigation and analysis with the supervision of a faculty mentor during their senior year. Honors students produce an honors thesis in the last semester of their senior year, leading to graduation with High Honors, or Honors.

Detailed Programme Facts

  • Programme intensity Full-time
    • Full-time duration 48 months
  • Languages
    • English
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  • Delivery mode
    On Campus

Programme Structure

Courses included:

  • American Public Opinion and Voting Behavior
  • Political Campaigns and the Electoral Process
  • The American Presidency
  • Constitutional Law and Judicial Process (in American Politics)

English Language Requirements

  • Minimum required score:

    100

    The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120.

  • Minimum required score:

    7

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Get a free IELTS practice test

General Requirements

You may apply using either the Common Application or the Universal College Application. Select one application method and submit all materials through that method; do not submit both. All parts of the application should be submitted by the published deadlines.

  • All required parts of either the Common Application or the Universal College Application.
  • $50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students
  • Official high school transcript
  • Counselor letter of recommendation
  • Two academic teacher recommendations
  • Standardized Test Results: SAT or ACT with Writing
  • Official results of the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic if applicable
  • A completed College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, if applicable

Tuition Fee

  • International

    48600 USD/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 48600 USD per year and a duration of 48 months.

  • National

    48600 USD/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 48600 USD per year and a duration of 48 months.
We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.

Living costs for Nashville

  • 1183 - 2200 USD/month
    Living Costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

We make three important commitments to U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens to ensure that students from many different economic circumstances can enroll at Vanderbilt:

  • First:  Since talent and promise recognize no social, cultural, economic, or geographic boundaries, our admissions process is need-blind for U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens. 
  • Second: Vanderbilt will meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated financial need. 
  • Third:  Financial aid awards do not include loans. Instead of offering need-based loans to undergraduate students, Vanderbilt offers additional grant assistance. This does not involve income bands or "cut-offs" that impact or limit eligibility.

Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

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