Politics, like finance, carries deep implications for the success of almost every level and kind of society. It impacts legal and financial systems, the way we gather and use natural resources, the values, skills, and knowledge our education systems seek to instill. It even affects our understanding of how personal belief should be expressed. The findings of Political Science, a discipline that considers the beginnings, evolution, and activities of political systems, directly influence our politicians.
Knowledgeable and empathetic political leaders are needed at every level of society. This requires political scientists who possess and are able to communicate current national and global issues, as well as effective strategies to approach such problems. The current health crisis and demands for social justice are two profound instances of where sound political science is needed in addressing these deep problems.
Earning an online Master’s in Political Science will prepare political scientists to move into higher levels of their profession. Political scientists on average earn $122,000 per year, and the field is expected to grow between 2018 and 2028 by 5%. This list provides 20 of the top online Master’s of Political Science options in 2021. Find a perfect match with OnlineSchoolsCenter.com!
Top Online Schools for Master’s in Political Science
METHODOLOGY: The editors and researchers/writers of OnlineSchoolsCenter.com utilize strict regulations in the selection process for their rankings. The criteria set forth for the Top 20 Online Schools for Master’s in Political Science included the following:
- A graduate degree program in Political Science, Public Administration, or a related field of study;
- A curriculum that provides adequate flexibility and accommodations for students with varying needs and scheduling requirements;
- A website and learning platform that is intuitive and easy to use;
- Faculty and staff who bring sufficient professional and educational experience to the virtual classroom;
- An array of coursework that is formatted specifically for online learning;
- Excellent academic resources to support students’ educational pathways;
- Retention rates of no lower than 50% (an excellent signifier of student satisfaction);
- And notability among journalistic resources in academia.
- For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.
WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Western New Mexico University provides a different approach to the Political Science discipline than most other universities and colleges on this ranking. At this online school, students major in a Master in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Political Science. Due to the nature of the interdisciplinary curriculum, it is a more flexible approach to the degree because it allows students more freedom in choosing elective and core coursework. The program includes a strong focus in both global and American politics, and the array of classes has unique and exciting options. WNMU allows students to choose between two different exit requirements, which include either a thesis option or a comprehensive examination.Campus Location: Silver City, NM
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- North American Relations
- Border Issues in US/Mexico Relations
- Administrative Law
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 19.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE INTERDISCIPLINARY MASTER’S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Eastern Illinois University provides an online Master of Arts in Political Science that includes a concentration in Public Administration and Public Policy. The degree can be finished in just over two semesters, or one year, of study and offers a strong foundation in all of the most crucial areas of the discipline. However, students who learn at a slower pace are welcome to complete their degree one class at a time. There are numerous internships, externships, and study abroad opportunities available within the online program, of which students are highly encouraged to take advantage! The curriculum has a comprehensive approach to political science and public administration, and students are well-prepared to take on job titles in state and local government agencies, non-profits and civic management, public policy research, and much more.Campus Location: Charleston, IL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- Environmental Politics and Policy
- African American Political Thought
- Ideologies of the Developing World
Acceptance Rate: 51.5%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 57%
LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MA IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
REGENT UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Students at Regent University online can choose between two unique options within the political science discipline. The Master of Communication in Political Communication degree is particularly distinctive and emphasizes essential communication methods and practices in working with colleagues, coworkers, and constituents. There is also a Master of Arts in Government degree that provides a broader lens into the profession which gives students more context and guidance according to what happened in the political past. Regent University is an excellent online school that has appeared on innumerable lists and rankings of the most exceptional online programs in the country. It is a Christian online school, and the faith-based curricula provide an excellent learning space for individuals of the religious community.Campus Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Program Options:
- Political Communications
- Government
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 32%
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGENT UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE POLITICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE DEGREES
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA
Program Standouts:
There are two online political science graduate programs available at the University of North Georgia. The Master of Arts in International Affairs provides an in-depth approach to international systems with an emphasis on global security issues such as strategic security policy, poverty, and terrorism. The Master of Public Administration is specifically designed for current employees in public service organizations who are striving for higher levels of responsibility and leadership. It is an excellent choice for those who are more involved with state and local politics. Despite their degree of choice, students attending the University of North Georgia online will receive a flexible program with no set start date and a rolling admissions process. UNGA is committed to providing an easily accessible degree that puts no undue stress on distance education students.Campus Location: Dahlonega, GA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Program Options:
- International Affairs
- Public Administration
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 29%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA’S POLITICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAMS ONLINE
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA
Program Standouts:
This online school’s Master in Political Science is an incredibly flexible degree that puts all of the control directly into the hands of the students. The curriculum is delivered in an asynchronous format, which means that they can complete their classes, coursework, and homework at a time and place of their choosing. There are also exciting internship opportunities that can be set up in each student’s surrounding community. The learning platforms are simple and straightforward and require very little from each individual other than high-speed internet. There are two unique concentration options that make up about half of the thirty credit program, and the general political science coursework introduces pivotal methods and approaches in politics.Campus Location: Omaha, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Concentration Options:
- American Government and Politics
- International Affairs
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 46%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA’S POLITICAL SCIENCE MASTER’S DEGREE ONLINE
SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Sam Houston State University is an excellent and affordable choice for political science graduate students. Every incoming online student receives a $1,000 scholarship alongside a comparatively low tuition rate of about $600 per credit hour. It is a great fit for recent college graduates as well as seasoned political science professionals. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for doctoral degrees or admission to law school. There is a thesis option that is thirty credit hours and requires an orally presented culminating research project. The non-thesis option, however, is thirty-six credit hours and does not include an immersive research project, but, instead, further elective courses and a comprehensive exam. SHSU Online is a fabulous institution of higher distance education that is oft recognized for its outstanding academic achievements.Campus Location: Huntsville, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 49%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY’S POLITICAL SCIENCE MASTER OF ARTS
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Southern New Hampshire University is one of the most popular online schools in the United States. It provides students with a highly efficient process for obtaining a graduate degree at a distance. Their website and learning platform offer an incredibly easy-to-use approach, while also supplying all students with excellent resources to support them throughout their education. SNHU has a unique approach to the profession with a Master of Business Administration that includes a concentration in Public Administration. The curriculum is replete with real-world scenarios and immersive projects that immerse students in the challenges of modern politics. As an MBA program, the core coursework includes numerous topics in business and administrative management, which is enormously helpful once graduates attain positions of political and governmental leadership.Campus Location: Manchester, NH
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- Foundations of Public Administration
- Intergovernmental Relations
- Strategic Management in Public Service
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 75%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MBA IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
Program Standouts:
The University of Texas at Arlington is a well-known purveyor of distance education where online students in Public Administration receive a nationally renowned degree in this challenging and competitive discipline. It is also one of the most affordable graduate degrees on this ranking, with a tuition rate of $425 per credit hour for both residents and non-residents of the state. Not only that, but it also one of the fastest master’s programs in this discipline, with a 39-credit-hour curriculum that can be completed in as few as 24 months! UTXA is a highly accredited institution of higher distance education with a certification from the NASPAA, which is rare even among the best schools of political science and public administration.Campus Location: Arlington, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Network of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
Coursework Sample:
- Public and Non-Profit Human Resources
- Financial Management in the Public and Non-Profit Sectors
- Foundations of Urban Research and Analysis
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 62%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON’S ONLINE MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ONLINE
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
Program Standouts:
The University of Colorado Denver is a well-known online school that offers a Master in Public Administration with numerous concentration options. The multiple specializations are quite unique and offer topics that immerse students in specified areas of the profession. The Public Policy and Analysis, as well as the State and Local Government concentrations, would be the best suited to students seeking a degree that is the most political science-driven. CU Denver is one of the only online political science graduate schools in the nation to receive programmatic accreditation from the NASPAA, which is an excellent indicator of the overwhelming success of this degree. It is also a relatively affordable online political science program with a tuition rate for out-of-state graduate students of $526 per credit hour.Campus Location: Denver, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - A network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
Concentration Options:
- Disasters, Hazards, and Emergency Management
- Education Policy
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- Environmental Policy and Management
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Policy Analysis
- State and Local Government
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 61%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER’S MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ONLINE
UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
Program Standouts:
The University of West Florida provides a highly professional and in-depth online Master of Political Science that includes two areas of emphasis in either Political Science or Security and Diplomacy. Unlike most online degree programs, this curriculum is designed in a synchronous format, which means that students are required to meet at specific times for class. This delivery method offers a more structured schedule wherein students do not have to rely so heavily on their independence as learners and is an excellent fit for those who prefer a more fixed arrangement. Students can choose to defend a thesis or complete a comprehensive examination at the end of their degree.Campus Location: Pensacola, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- The Study of Politics
- Seminar in American Politics
- Political Science Research Methods
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 64%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA’S ONLINE MA PROGRAM IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Recommended Schools
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD
Program Standouts:
The University of Illinois Springfield is one of the most popular online schools for a graduate degree in Political Science, and it is also one of the most affordable. Out-of-state students enjoy an incredibly affordable tuition rate of $365.75 per credit hour, which is drastically less expensive than most other online colleges and universities throughout the entire country, including many on this very ranking. Students in this program can choose to complete their curriculum with a thesis, a comprehensive exam, or as an observer in a real-world, culminating research project, and there are four exciting specialization options from which to choose. This program is considered one of the very best of its kind by many different resources, and students can take comfort in knowing that they are receiving one of the most well-respected online Masters of Political Science in America.Campus Location: Springfield, IL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- American National and State Politics
- Comparative Politics/International Relations
- Political Theory
- Public Law
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 62%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD’S ONLINE POLITICAL SCIENCE MASTER’S DEGREE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
Program Standouts:
California State University, Northridge, has a graduate degree in Public Administration that is intended to give students a broad, multidisciplinary perspective in a curriculum that draws upon a wide array of tools and resources. Students learn how to enact solutions to large scale, economic issues by working with professors from multiple departments. CSUN students can take advantage of exciting extracurricular opportunities such as the Masters in Public Administration Alumni Chapter, which is an academic society wherein students can develop invaluable networking connections with future colleagues. The curriculum also provides several concentration options in Public Sector Management and Leadership, Public Policy Analysis and Management, Non-Profit Sector Management, Health Administration, Geographical Information Systems and Technologies, or Performance Management and Productivity in the Public Sector.Campus Location: Northridge, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Coursework Sample:
- Research Methods for Public Administration
- Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation
- Seminar in Effective Public Sector Management
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 50%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE’S MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
NORWICH UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
There are two distinctive opportunities through which students can earn a politically focused graduate degree from Norwich University. The Diplomacy program emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and teamwork, and trains students in building cooperation, defusing tension, and promoting peace among groups, entities, and entire nations. Students delve deeply into international problems and develop practical solutions for any sector or institution. The Public Administration degree, however, is more focused on individual government agencies and administrations. There are multiple concentrations available, some of which are offered at very few other online schools. These include Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Fiscal Management, International Development and Influence, Municipal Governance, Nonprofit Management, Public Works and Sustainability, Policy Analysis and Analytics, Public Administration Leadership and Crisis Management, or Procurement and Government Contract Management.Campus Location: Northfield, VT
Accreditation:
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Program Options:
- Diplomacy
- Public Administration
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 56%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORWICH UNIVERSITY’S POLITICAL SCIENCE MASTERS DEGREES ONLINE
AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Not only is the American Public University an accelerated online graduate school offering a distance education Political Science degree, but it is also one of the most affordable. Civilian students enjoy a low tuition rate of $370 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state residents, and veterans and active-duty members of the United States Military pay a reduced rate of $250 per credit hour. Also, students do not pay for book costs, either! APU utilizes Open Educational Resources, which provides all course materials for free to all online students. It is a thirty-six credit hour Master of Arts degree in Political Science that includes four exciting concentration options in distinctive areas of the profession. The core curriculum supplies topics in government process and theory, defense and security, legislative behavior, and other crucial facets of political science.Campus Location:
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Concentration Options:
- American Politics and Government
- Comparative Government and Development
- International Relations
- Public Policy
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 16%
LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
There are numerous reasons why Liberty University is one of the most popular online schools in the nation, including the fact that it offers accelerated online graduate degrees. The Master of Science in Political Science provides coursework throughout eight-week terms and, on average, is completed in about one-and-a-half years. Liberty University is an Evangelical Christian school that offers degrees that are firmly rooted in the tenets and principles of Christianity. This Political Science degree emphasizes the comprehensive and rigorous study of the discipline, and students develop an incredibly broad and robust understanding. The curriculum includes topics in international and domestic political processes and governance structures.Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- Economics and Public Policy
- Political Philosophy
- Geopolitics and International Diplomacy
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 43%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
East Carolina University is an excellent online school that provides highly popular distance education degrees, such as the Master in Public Administration. ECU has one of the only degrees of this major in the nation to receive accreditation from the NASPA. The curriculum was designed per the principles and foundations of this educational consortium. The degree provides an outlet through which students connect with professors, professionals, and classmates in the field of political science and public administration to perform challenging projects that have real-world effects. The curriculum provides a bridge for students to enter into more essential positions of employment or prominent doctoral degrees and law schools.Campus Location: Greenville, NC
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Association of Schools of Public Affairs
Coursework Sample:
- Politics and Management in Public Agencies
- Human Resource Management in Public Agencies
- Quantitative Methods for Public Administration
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 62%
LEARN MORE ABOUT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MASTER’S DEGREE
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
George Washington University is an incredibly well-respected school that offers outstanding online graduate degree programs in political science. Students at GWU can major in one of three areas, which include various options that enhance their experience, skill, and knowledge of politics. In any of these programs, students learn effective leadership and communication skills that allow them to work nationally and internationally. Faculty and staff are all highly recognizable names in the industry who bring outstanding levels of knowledge and experience to the online classroom. There are exciting global residency opportunities, as well as some in the D.C. area, all of which allow students to work with politicians, lobbyists, and advocates in their fields of interest.Campus Location: Washington, D.C.
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Program Options:
- International Policy and Practice
- Political Communications and Governance
- Political Management
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 83%
LEARN MORE ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE POLITICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC AND STATE UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Virginia Polytechnic and State University supply an outstanding, and broad-based online political science graduate degree that emphasizes research methodologies and social science. The faculty is comprised of exceedingly successful and highly reputed professionals of the discipline, each of whom brings a wealth of specialized information to the online classroom. Each year, the program enrollment is kept to a small number of on-campus and online members of the cohort so that the professors can spend valuable time with each student. Graduates have participated in crucial research projects with faculty members and go on to provide the industry with excellent levels of public service. Individuals that exit the program often find themselves continuing their education in one of Virginia Tech’s fabulous doctoral degrees, as well!Campus Location: Blacksburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Coursework Sample:
- Collaborative Governance and Civil Society
- Alternative Perspectives in Political Theory
- Electronic Governance
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 83%
LEARN MORE ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH’s ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
Northeastern University is one of the most well-regarded, popular, and successful online schools in America and offers an interesting approach to graduate study in political science. Students at this impressive institution of higher education major in Global Studies and International Relations through the College of Professional Studies. The curriculum emphasizes internationally focused positions in the United States and other countries, as well. The curriculum can be finished in one-and-a-half to two years at either full-time or part-time paces. Classes are geared toward providing students with real-world fieldwork experiences such as staging mock debates, engaging in crisis management as team members and leaders, and analyzing investment portfolios of developing countries. It is a rich and diverse degree program that brings in students from more than twenty countries and thirty states.Campus Location: Boston, MA
Accreditation:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
Coursework Sample:
- Globalization and Global Politics and Economics
- Global Literacy, Culture, and Community
- Basic Field Research Methods
Acceptance Rate: 27%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 83%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY’S GLOBAL STUDIES AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREE
HARVARD EXTENSION SCHOOL
Program Standouts:
Harvard University is one of the most well-known, highly accredited, and academically successful institutions of higher education across the entire globe. Today, this fabulous school provides outstanding distance education degree programs, such as the Master in Government and the Master in International Relations. These two politically-focused degrees take students into specialized areas of the profession, while still providing an incredibly solid foundation in general political studies that will take them into essential positions of management and leadership. The Government degree imparts the skills and knowledge necessary for roles in state and local governments. The International Relations program is more focused on solving global issues such as hunger, poverty, and genocide. There are also online graduate certificate programs available that specialize students’ degrees even further.Campus Location: Cambridge, MA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400Program Options:
- Government
- International Relations
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Retention Rate: 98%
Graduation Rate: 85%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HARVARD EXTENSION SCHOOL’S ONLINE POLITICAL SCIENCE GRADUATE DEGREES
- Higher Learning Commission
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need an online Master’s degree to pursue a career in Political Science?
Yes, typically, to pursue a career within political science, you will need to obtain your online masters or Ph.D. in the field. In addition, programs in an online format are also available, although it may be rare to find.
To enter, you will need a bachelor’s degree in political science, statistics, and writing, as well as, an internship or other work-related experience. Most schools offer coursework in program evaluation, political campaign leadership, political science, international relations, communications, public affairs, and policy formation, to name a few crucial topics.
An online Master’s of Political Science degree can come in the form of a concentration derived from the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP) or Master of Public Affairs degree, in addition to, a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) degree. You may be asked to choose a concentration based on the following choices, such as Comparative Politics, Political Theory, International Relations, or National Politics, among others.
What kinds of career choices are available to me with an online Master’s of Political Science degree?
Two examples of prominent positions that are available to online Master’s of Political Science degree holders include that of a Political Scientist and that of a Political Science College Professor. In addition, a majority of political science majors also pursue a degree as an Attorney, Public Relations Specialist, or as a Campaign Manager. Those interested in a career as a Research Analysts or Political Analysts also benefit from the knowledge acquired through an online Master of Political Science degree.
What would my job responsibilities entail within the field of Political Science?
Depending on your area of expertise, your duties will vary; however, as a Political Scientist with an online master’s degree, you can expect your primary responsibilities to provide intensive and comprehensive research and skills needed to analyze government policies, in addition to, evaluating other politically-oriented issues. Many job responsibilities involve matters related to the United States, along with relationships with foreign countries.
As a Political Scientist, you will also test political theories, forecast political and social trends, as well as, evaluate ethics and laws regarding government issues, the general public’s interest, and how they affect businesses and our economy. Public speaking will be expected of you as you give special presentations on your research and findings; therefore, displaying your communication skills, both oral and written, is important. As a Political Scientist, you will be commissioned with securing a positive future for generations to come!
“Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable – the art of the next best”
–