Political Science Degree Online
Online bachelor's degree programs in political science give you the flexibility to balance studying with professional and personal obligations. You'll have the chance to build critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills in the context of political systems and behavior.
Graduates who earn a bachelor of political science online can work as policy analysts, political consultants, legislative assistants, and public relations specialists. Those who pursue a master's degree can become political scientists — a job with a median salary of over $132,350 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
An online bachelor's in political science degree provides a foundation for many careers, preparing graduates for jobs in policy development, lobbying, journalism, and education. Political science is a rapidly evolving discipline that mirrors the current political climate of the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that between 2022 and 2032, political science positions will increase by 7%.
Choosing an Online Bachelor's in Political Science Program
Depending on whether your degree is a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science, it's likely that some of the requirements may be a bit different, both in the general education and major curriculum. Regardless of which degree type you are earning, there will be some similar elements between them.
Students earning a political science degree online can pursue an emphasis or a minor in areas such as history, journalism, communications, and economics. Courses within the major often emphasize areas like international relations, political theory, and the justice system. Graduation requirements will vary from school to school, and may include thesis projects, internships, or capstone courses. The important thing to remember is that these programs are often highly customizable, allowing students to choose courses and academic paths that best suit their needs and career goals.
Graduation requirements will vary from school to school, and may include thesis projects, internships, or capstone courses.
What Will I Learn in an Online Bachelor's in Political Science Program?
Online political science programs offer similar courses. The sample curriculum below will give you an idea of what subjects you can expect to encounter while pursuing this degree.
Political Theory: This course is generally offered at introductory and advanced levels in many online political science programs. It covers the foundations of political theory and offers practical applications in today's political climate.
International Relations: Any student of political science will likely encounter at least one course in international relations. Courses in this area can cover many topics, such as how various foreign countries are governed, current U.S. policies regarding foreign relations, and various current issues and conflicts around the world.
The Legal Process in America: An online political science degree provides the skills for careers in many fields, including law. Many political science programs offer courses in American law and the legal process, detailing topics such as criminal justice and the various other policies and procedures.
Accreditation for Online Bachelor's in Political Science Degrees
When looking into earning your political science degree online, one of the most important factors to consider is accreditation. When a program is accredited, it means an accrediting organization has verified the academic merit of the program. There are a few different types of accreditation to keep in mind. Colleges and universities are accredited either regionally or nationally. Regional accreditation is the more common and popular of the two types. Some regionally accredited programs will not accept credits from nationally accredited schools.
Some programs may also have program-specific accreditation. While institutional accreditation is adequate for things like federal student aid, program-specific accreditation is another way of ensuring the program you choose meets important field-related standards. Political science programs, for example, may be accredited by the American Political Science Association.
Online Bachelor's in Political Science Careers
Students in political science programs learn many skills, which prepare them for different careers. The jobs below are just a few examples of what graduates can pursue.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
With the background in law provided by a political science online degree, graduates can work as paralegals or legal assistants. These professionals work alongside practicing lawyers to help maintain files, do research for cases, and even draft legal documents. They may work in private practices or within larger corporations.
Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts
An online political science degree provides preparation for careers in communication or journalism, particularly as news analysts or reporters. These professionals often report on politics on the local, national, and international levels.
High School Teachers
Many political science programs cover subjects in history and the social sciences, which help prepare graduates to become secondary school instructors. These teachers generally work in their area of interest, teaching students in grades 9–12. State licensure must be acquired prior to entering this field, which has additional requirements.
Best Online Bachelor's in Political Science Programs
The school and/or program descriptions below were drafted using natural language generation technology and have been edited for clarity and accuracy. The data is primarily sourced from government databases such as IPEDS – see sources section for more details.Online Bachelor's in Political Programs Ranking Guidelines
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
