Political Science Degree Guide
- What Is a Political Science Degree?
- Political Science Degrees: Associate to Doctorate
- What to Know Before Applying
- What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?
- Cost of a Political Science Degree
- FAQs
Key Takeaways
- A political science degree can lead to opportunities in government, business, and academia, preparing grads for positions like legislator, arbitrator, and survey researcher.
- Many political science graduates go on to earn a law degree and pursue advanced roles within the legal system, including lawyer or judge.
- The listening, problem-solving, and persuasive writing skills developed in a political science program also prepare graduates to advocate for individuals and groups who cannot advocate for themselves.
Political science is the study of politics, government, and public policy. It’s a purposeful and rewarding field that can equip you to help make the world a better place.
In a political science degree program, you’ll study local, national, and international issues, such as social justice and climate change, and how these topics relate to past, current, and developing political systems and processes.
With a poli sci degree, you can thrive in business, government, and public service settings. Keep reading to find out how a political science degree can work for you.
What Is a Political Science Degree?
A political science degree program blends lectures, seminars, group projects, and hands-on experiences like internships to teach you about the inner workings of political systems, the role of political behaviors, and actions to bring about political and social change. You can then apply these fundamental concepts and ideas to real-world scenarios.
Poli sci degrees often require a significant amount of reading and assignments that are designed to develop your critical thinking skills. You’ll develop soft skills like communication and public speaking, as well as hard skills such as research and data analysis.
You need to be motivated and assertive to thrive in a political science program. These qualities are also necessary for the professional world.
Types of Political Science Concentrations and Focus Areas
Political science programs typically offer several concentrations to match your interests and career goals. Whether you’re drawn to U.S. politics, global affairs, or social justice, each area gives you specialized knowledge and key skills. Here are six popular political science concentrations:
- American politics
- International relations
- Comparative politics
- Political theory
- Environmental politics
- Minority and race politics
Reality Check: Do Colleges Still Have Political Science Degrees?
Yes, colleges and universities continue to offer political science degrees. This popular major helps you understand government systems, public policy, and global affairs. Political science remains relevant for careers such as law, public service, journalism, and international relations. Many programs also include flexible online or hybrid formats.
Political Science Degrees: From Associate to Doctorate
If you want to explore political science at an introductory level, you can earn an associate degree in about two years, which is ideal if you’re looking for entry-level positions in public service, government work, or business.
A bachelor’s degree offers more in-depth coursework to prepare you for more advanced careers and also sets you up to continue on to graduate school, where you can further specialize your political science career path.
Associate Degree in Political Science
- Program Length: 2 years
- Potential Jobs: Research assistant, legislative aide, and public relations specialist
An associate degree in political science includes two years of coursework. Associate-level coursework prepares you for entry-level careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and business. In an associate program, you can expect to study government systems, world politics, and political ideologies.
Additional classes in public speaking, composition, and research develop the skills needed to work as a market researcher, political campaign staffer, or legal assistant. You can also continue onto a bachelor’s degree in political science or a related discipline.
Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science
- Program Length: 4 years
- Potential Jobs: Legislative assistant, market research analyst, journalist
Bachelor’s degrees in political science typically last four years. Introductory coursework in political theory, government, and international relations precedes advanced classes in topics like global political economy, comparative politics and government, law, politics and justice, and politics of development.With a bachelor’s in political science, you can work as a community organizer, foreign service officer, and public policy analyst. A political science program can also prepare you for positions in journalism and media, law, and teaching.
Master’s Degree in Political Science
- Program Length: 2 years
- Potential Jobs: Campaign manager, director of public relations, environmental planner
A master’s degree in political science typically requires two years of coursework to complete. Curricula at the graduate level integrate lecture classes with research and writing requirements. You often complete a thesis or project based on original research.
In a master’s in political science, you may have opportunities to specialize in a subset of the field. Concentration areas include American politics, international relations, and political theory.
Professional roles you can pursue include political campaign manager, lobbyist, international business manager, and foreign service worker. A master’s degree also prepares you for a doctorate in political science or a related field.
Doctorate in Political Science
- Program Length: 4-7 years
- Potential Jobs: Professor, researcher, policy analyst
The length of a political science doctoral program varies depending on how long it takes you to complete your dissertation. Some poli sci doctoral candidates earn a degree in as few as four years, while others need eight or more.
Coursework in a political science doctoral program emphasizes theory and research in general fields like American, comparative, and international politics. Alongside successful completion of comprehensive exams, you choose an area of emphasis and develop a dissertation proposal.
Specializations include political economy, environmental politics, or minority and race politics.
With a doctorate in political science, you can teach at colleges and universities, work as a research specialist, or undertake a political career of your own. A doctoral degree can also lead to an advanced role in public administration, government service, or international relations.
What to Consider Before Applying to a Political Science Program
Before applying to a political science program, consider accreditation, available concentrations, and learning format (online or on-campus). Also, research faculty expertise, internship options, and how well the program aligns with your career goals.
Accreditation for Political Science Programs
When researching prospective political science programs, you should always check their accreditation status. Institutions should hold regional or national accreditation. This ensures your political science degree meets the required quality standard and will be recognized by employers.
While no specific programmatic accreditation exists for political science programs, some degrees may hold accreditation from bodies such as the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.
Ensure Your Political Science Concentration Area Is Offered
Check that your prospective program has your preferred concentration, such as American politics, international relations, or political theory. This is especially important at the graduate level as master’s programs typically offer a more specialized education within a specific area of political science.
Not every program will have your desired focus area, but there may be alternatives that help you gain similar knowledge in your preferred area. Reviewing course offerings and faculty research can also help you make an informed choice.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for political science programs vary. Undergraduates typically need transcripts, test scores, and sometimes a personal statement.
Graduate programs usually require a related bachelor’s degree in a closely related field, a 3.0 GPA or higher, and may ask for GRE scores or relevant work experience. They may also require a resume or CV highlighting relevant experience.
What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?
A political science degree can open doors to multiple industries, including jobs in business, government, and education. You’ll also have a strong foundation to pursue various careers in politics, public relations, and foreign service.
Given the global relevance of a political degree, you can apply your skills to work anywhere in the world, an exciting prospect if you’re eager to travel and experience new cultures.
If you’re drawn to law, a political science degree can serve as a solid step toward law school. Alternatively, if you’re more interested in data and analysis, you can pursue roles as a researcher or policy analyst.
| 8 Political Science Major Careers | Median Annual Salary (2024) | Projected Job Growth (2023-33) | Minimum Degree Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,010 | 1% | Associate |
| Legislator | $47,290 | N/A | Bachelor’s |
| Reporter, Correspondent, or Broadcast News Analyst | $60,280 | -3% | Bachelor’s |
| Arbitrator, Mediator, or Conciliator | $67,710 | 6% | Bachelor’s |
| Survey Researcher | $63,380 | 0% | Master’s |
| Political Scientist | $139,380 | 3% | Master’s |
| Judge or Hearing Officer | $135,160 | 3% | Professional doctorate |
| Lawyer | $151,160 | 5% | Professional doctorate |
Political Science Degree Salary
Salaries for political science majors vary by degree, experience, and industry. Top-earning positions for political science majors typically require advanced degrees in the field or additional education in another area.
Lawyers and judges earn the highest median annual salary for political science careers. Both of these roles require a Juris Doctor (JD). Other high-earning political science roles you can obtain with an advanced degree, like a master’s or doctorate, include political scientists ($139,380) and working as an arbitrator or mediator in the education industry ($118,350), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How Much Does a Political Science Degree Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of tuition and fees for a bachelor’s degree in political science varies by delivery method. Online programs cost an average of $18,822 per year, while on-campus programs average $22,153 per year.
Although the NCES does not provide specific data for graduate political science programs, the average annual tuition and fees for full-time graduate students at public institutions in 2023-2024 was $11,827, while the cost of tuition and fees at private institutions was $20,515.
| Degree Level | Online Political Science Programs | Traditional, On-Campus Political Science Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | N/A | $2,174 |
| Bachelor’s | $18,822 | $22,153 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Political Science Degrees
Schools may offer a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in political science. Much of the coursework in BA and BS programs overlaps, but the former often includes a foreign language requirement and includes more humanities courses.
A BS emphasizes the more quantitative aspects of political science, like mathematic and statistics. Careers with a BA in political science include education, public relations, and political campaign work, while a BS degree can lead to a career in political economics, policy analysis, and public administration.
