Department of History, Geography, and Political Science
Advisement

Advisors

Advisors monitor the academic progress of students, assist in curriculum planning, and guide students through processes such as admission to the upper-division and application for graduation. All students majoring in history or political science are advised by Dr. Elizabeth Dachowski or Dr. Erik Schmeller.

Dr. Schmeller advises students seeking teaching licensure, and Dr. Dachowski advises all other majors.

Declaring a Major and Initial Advisement

If you are a student applying for admission to TSU, you may simply indicate your choice of major on your application. If you are already enrolled at TSU either in another major or as an "undecided" student, you may declare a major in history or political science using the university's Notification/Change of Major Form, which you should print, complete, and bring with you to your initial advisement conference. A copy of the completed form submitted to your advisor will be filed by our department with the Office of Admissions and Records.

Scheduling Advisement Conferences

Majors in history and political science should schedule conferences with their advisor at least once each semester. Conferences during November and April are ideal for advisement related to early registration for the following spring or fall semester, but students are encouraged to meet with their advisor at any time. Advisors are generally available either during their office hours or by appointment. Students can schedule conferences by e-mail using the addresses indicated above.

Curriculum Planning

Your curriculum is the series of courses required for your anticipated undergraduate degree. The curriculum includes the General Education Core (normally completed during the freshman and sophomore years), major courses (completed for the most part during the junior and senior years), and electives (courses chosen by the student from a range of academic disciplines.) You should plan your curriculum in consultation with your advisor to ensure that you take appropriate courses in the correct sequence. In order to assist with curriculum planning, the department provides:

Admission to the Upper Division

Students must be admitted to the upper division of their major before attempting courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. In order to be admitted fully to the upper division, a student must complete all remedial and developmental requirements, remove all high school deficiencies, complete the General Education Core and introductory major courses. A student who wishes to take one or more upper-level courses but has not yet met these requirements can apply for tentative admission.

Applying for Graduation

Students intending to graduate in May, August, or December should complete the graduation application online at /commencement/ by the deadline indicated.

Students intending to graduate should also report to their academic advisor for the purpose of confirming their senior standing and submitting a registration form for the appropriate senior exit examinations (see below).

Senior Exit Examinations

During the final semester of their senior year, prospective graduates must complete two exit examinations. The ETS Major Field Test in either history or political science tests specialized learning in the major, and the ETS Academic Profile Short Form tests ongoing general learning during the junior and senior years.

The Major Field Test, which lasts approximately two hours, is offered in the university's Testing Center from 2:00-4:30 p.m. on the Monday and Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving for December graduates and at the same times on the Monday and Tuesday prior to spring break for May graduates.

The university's Senior Exit Examination (Academic Profile) lasts approximately one hour and is offered in the Student Center Forum at dates and times scheduled by the university's Testing Center.

Forms and Documents (Quick Reference)

Notification/Change of Major

Degree Requirements (B.A. in History)
Degree Requirements (B.S. in Political Science)
Four Year Plan (History)
Four-Year Plan (Political Science)
Four-Year Plan (History Licensure)
Four Year Plan (Government Licensure)
Upper-Division Admission
Permission to Take a Course at Another Institution
Registration for Senior Exit Examination