Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)

What you'll study

This undergraduate programme combines political science, history, economics and security studies to give you both theoretical foundations and applied skills. Core topics typically include international relations theory, comparative politics, American foreign policy, national security strategy, intelligence studies, international law, and research methods.

Typical modules and subject areas you can expect include:

• Introduction to International Relations: foundational theories and major actors in world politics.
• American Foreign Policy: decision-making processes, institutions and case studies of US engagement abroad.
• National Security and Strategy: strategic concepts, defence policy, threat assessment and military-civil relations.
• Comparative Politics: political systems, regime types and comparative analysis techniques.
• Intelligence and Information Analysis: intelligence cycle, collection disciplines and analytic tradecraft.
• International Law and Organisations: law of armed conflict, human rights, and the role of the UN and regional organisations.
• Research Methods and Quantitative Techniques: data analysis, survey methods and policy evaluation.
• Electives and Regional Studies: area-focused courses (e.g. Europe, Middle East, Asia, Latin America) and specialised topics such as terrorism, cybersecurity or transnational crime.

Students are encouraged to take internships, participate in study abroad programmes and engage in practicum experiences or capstone projects that apply classroom learning to real-world policy issues. Opportunities to work with faculty on research, join student organisations related to Model UN or national security, and participate in practicum placements are common.

Entry requirements

Admission to Middle Tennessee State University requires a secondary school diploma or equivalent. For this specific programme, successful applicants typically present a strong academic record in social sciences and humanities subjects. While exact thresholds vary, competitive applicants demonstrate readiness for university-level coursework, relevant extracurricular experience and a clear statement of interest in international affairs or security studies.

Applicants should provide official transcripts. Standardised test requirements (such as SAT or ACT) follow the university's current admissions policy and may be optional; candidates should consult MTSU admissions for details. Transfer applicants need to submit college transcripts showing transferable credit hours and a record of successful collegiate coursework.

International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements through recognised tests (for example TOEFL or IELTS) unless exempt under university policy. Additional departmental materials such as a resume, personal statement, or letters of recommendation can strengthen an application, particularly for competitive internship or research opportunities.

Career prospects

Graduates from this degree enter a wide range of careers across public, private and non-profit sectors. Common career paths include:

• Government and Diplomatic Service: policy officer roles, foreign service, state government or local government positions related to international affairs.
• National Security and Intelligence: analytic, operational or support roles in intelligence agencies, defence departments and homeland security.
• Law and Policy Analysis: legal careers (often following further study), legislative staff positions and policy research at think tanks and advocacy organisations.
• International Development and NGOs: programme management, grant writing and field coordination for humanitarian and development organisations.
• Private Sector and Consulting: risk analysis, international business development, security consulting and compliance roles.
• Further Study and Academia: progression to master’s degrees in international relations, security studies, public policy or law.

Internships, capstone projects and faculty mentoring help build practical skills and professional networks that are valuable to employers in these fields.

Why study at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)

MTSU offers a programme that balances academic rigour with applied experience. The university’s location near Nashville provides access to state government offices, regional organisations and a growing professional community, creating internship and networking possibilities not far from campus.

Students benefit from faculty with expertise in international relations and security studies, opportunities for undergraduate research, and extracurricular activities such as Model UN, political science clubs and ROTC. MTSU also supports study abroad arrangements and international exchange programmes that allow students to gain on-the-ground experience in different regions.

The department emphasises preparing graduates for immediate employment or advanced study by integrating research methods, analytical skills and professional practicum opportunities into the curriculum.