The 25 Best Online Bachelor's in Political Science Degree Programs

1. University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

The University of Central Florida offers one of the nation’s top online political science degrees, which students can complete entirely on the web.

Learners watch lectures and complete coursework according to their schedules. Students in the BA in political science program can choose from three concentrations: American politics and policy, international relations and comparative politics, or pre-law.

American politics and policy students take courses in areas such as civic engagement, presidential campaigning, and space policy. Students in the international relations and comparative politics concentration study topics including political economy, the politics of developing areas, and indigenous politics. Pre-law students explore subjects related to judicial policy and politics. In addition to 38 credit hours of major coursework, students complete 82 general education hours, including math and science classes.

Most full-time students complete the program in four years, but online students can pursue an accelerated course of study. All online students pay the in-state tuition rate, which is roughly half the rate for out-of-state learners studying on campus. UCF pairs each online student with a success coach to guide them from the admissions process to graduation. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and a minimum 2.0 GPA.

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2. Florida International University

Miami, Florida

Enrolling nearly 54,000 students, FIU is Miami’s largest university. FIU offers a 120-credit BA in political science that students can complete fully online. After completing general education requirements, students earning the online political science degree take 39 credits of major coursework, beginning with a class in American government and a course in either comparative politics, international relations, or political theory. Students customize the degree through electives in topics such as political violence and revolution, authoritarianism, and human rights.

Florida International University matches each online learner with a success coach who guides them through selecting and registering for courses, accessing academic support services, and finding internship and leadership development opportunities.

Applicants must submit high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. FIU uses a holistic admissions process and has no minimum requirements for academic achievement. Students transferring more than 60 credits do not need to submit standardized test scores.

Florida residents receive a discounted tuition rate. Online students pay a small, per-credit distance learning fee; however, distance learners are exempt from certain fees associated with studying on campus, such as parking fees.

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3. University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

The University of Illinois at Springfield’s offers an online BA in political science. Students earning the online political science degree take foundational courses in the American political systems, political philosophy, and empirical political analysis. UIS offers online courses in both synchronous and asynchronous formats; however, the curriculum is primarily asynchronous, allowing students to watch lectures and complete assignments at their convenience.

All political science majors complete 10 hours of engaged citizenship experience, which includes an internship and participation in a speaker series on civic engagement. Distance learners watch and contribute to the speaker series online and work with university program coordinators to find a local internship site. The program culminates in a two-hour capstone seminar, and most learners complete the 120 required credit hours in about four years.

Applicants to the online program must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and must reside at least 50 miles outside Springfield. Maryland residents are not eligible to enroll in the university’s online programs.

Students outside Illinois enrolled in online programs receive a discount on the out-of-state tuition rate. Online learners pay an online academic support fee and must pay to take proctored exams for some classes. The university provides guaranteed tuition, so each student’s tuition rate remains the same over four years of study.

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4. University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin

UW-La Crosse offers a fully online BS in political science. Students take online political science courses in topics such as interest group politics, economic justice, and health administration. The university encourages students considering graduate school to take coursework in political inquiry and analysis and in research methods in politics and government.

The university incorporates experiential learning into the political science curriculum. Students planning to attend law school can take mock trial classes to learn about court procedure. Students interested in international relations can enroll in two Model United Nations courses. Both the mock trial and Model UN courses are available online; however, these classes require synchronous participation. The university connects students with internship opportunities in government, criminal justice, and public administration.

Online and on-campus students pay the same tuition rates, though residents of Wisconsin and Minnesota receive a discount. Applicants must have a high school diploma, or the equivalent, and submit standardized test scores. The average admitted freshman at UW-Lacrosse has an ACT score between 23 and 27 and graduates in the top 69–90% of their high school glass. The university accepts transfer credits from accredited institutions and awards credits for credit equivalency programs and examinations.

5. Indiana University – Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

IU Bloomington offers a BS in political science consisting of asynchronous, online courses. Online students have no deadlines and can complete coursework according to their schedules. The flexible online program is ideal for working professionals and learners with personal obligations.

The online political science degree requires 120 credit hours, including general education coursework and major courses in areas such as Indiana politics, contemporary revolutions, political philosophy, and public opinion. Students develop an understanding of various forms of government, hone writing and research skills, and learn to develop arguments and effectively evaluate sources of information.

The same experienced faculty lead both online and on-campus courses, so distance learners receive the same quality education as on-campus students. Online learners regularly engage with their on-campus peers through discussion forums, and online students have opportunities to communicate with professors on an individual basis.

IU Bloomington offers discounted tuition for Indiana residents, and the university assesses a per-credit fee for online learners. Students can transfer up to 64 credits earned from an accredited institution. Online students have access to the same support services offered on campus, including online tutoring, guidance counseling, and technical assistance.

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6. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech is a public research university based in Lubbock. Founded in 1923, Texas Tech is the only campus in the state with a major university, law school, and medical school. The university offers an online political science degree with optional specializations in American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and policy and public administration. Most full-time students complete the 120 required credit hours in four years.

Beyond choosing a concentration, students can customize the degree through elective options such as post-communist politics, political behavior, international bargaining and security, and energy policy. All Texas Tech students must meet general education requirements and a communication literacy requirement.

All courses in the program are available entirely online. Although most classes are asynchronous, some require students to log in at a particular time for lectures or exams. Applicants must submit high school transcripts or GED verification and SAT or ACT scores. The university does not set minimum academic standards for admission.

All distance learners qualify for in-state tuition rates. Texas Tech guarantees full tuition and fees for Texas residents whose family’s adjusted gross income falls below a certain threshold.

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7. Liberty University Online

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty is a private, religious institution based in Lynchburg, Virginia. The university offers a bachelor’s in political science that requires 120 credit hours and develops students' understanding of government and politics through online political science classes rooted in biblical principles and history.

Program requirements are available entirely online and in an asynchronous format, making this program ideal for individuals with personal and professional responsibilities. Each course lasts eight weeks, and Liberty offers eight start dates per year. Most full-time students complete the program in about four years. Transfer students can bring up to 90 credits from previous studies. Military personnel can receive credit for their service.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Liberty may provisionally admit students with a GPA below 2.0; provisionally admitted students must take remedial coursework after consulting with an academic adviser. Liberty does not require applicants to submit standardized test scores.

Liberty has not raised tuition for online students in three years. Veterans and active duty service members receive a discounted tuition and a stipend for books and course materials. Emergency personnel, such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, also qualify for reduced tuition.

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8. Rutgers University

Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University offers an online political science degree with three concentration options: foreign and international politics, American institutions and politics, and theoretical approaches to politics. Students earning the BA in political science take courses in areas such as violence, revolution and terrorism, New Jersey politics, and quantitative methods.

Political science majors can earn an advanced degree or certificate jointly. For example, students in the BA/MPA dual-degree program meet requirements for both a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in public administration in as few as five years. Similarly, students can earn a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctorate in six years. Through the National Security Studies Certificate Program, undergraduate students deepen and demonstrate their expertise in international relations.

Applicants must submit high school transcripts and standardized test scores. Rutgers employs a holistic admissions review process and sets no minimum GPA or exam score requirements. Admission selection is based largely on the strength of each applicant’s personal essay and their history of community service, military service, employment, and achievements. New Jersey residents pay a discounted tuition rate. The university waives some fees for distance learners.

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9. Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University offers an online BS in political science and undergraduate certificates in citizen engagement, political advocacy and elections, and lawmaking and legal processes. Political science majors can complete requirements for the bachelor’s and the specialized certificate simultaneously, and most full-time students graduate in four years.

CMU offers credit for prior learning and experience, including professional experience, training experiences, and life experience such as volunteer work. To receive prior learning credit, students must take an exam or submit a portfolio of the experience. Earning credit for prior learning allows students to graduate more quickly and reduce the total cost of the degree.

Applicants must have a GED or a high school diploma and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants with a GPA below 2.0 may receive conditional admission. Transfer applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA in college coursework. Students can transfer up to 90 credits from a regionally accredited institution.

Online and on campus students pay the same tuition rate. CMU offers tuition discounts to federal employees and their children, employees of the state of Michigan and their dependents, and veterans and active duty military service members.

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10. University of Massachusetts – Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts

UMass Lowell offers a bachelor’s in liberal arts with nine available concentration areas, including political science. Liberal arts students who concentrate in political science prepare for careers in government, law, and nonprofit management. Because learners must select two areas of concentration, students can further specialize through coursework in history, economics, or legal studies.

The political science concentration requires classes including politics of the internet, politics of food, and electoral politics. Students interested in graduate school can study research methods in political science, and those planning to attend law school can take coursework in the American legal system. The political science department encourages students to complete an experiential learning course that prepares them for careers or advanced studies.

All online students pay the in-state tuition rate. Transfer students can apply up to 60 previous credits towards the bachelor’s degree; to transfer credits, students must have attended an accredited institution and maintained at least a 1.7 GPA during their previous studies. UMass Lowell students must maintain a minimum 2.2 GPA.

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11. Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University provides a flexible path for students to earn their political science degree online. The university offers both a BA and a BS in political science. Both programs require 120 credits, which students can complete fully online.

Along with liberal arts courses, students take political science classes in areas such as gender and the law, rural public policy, and issues in Central and European politics. Online students can complete a minor in another discipline, such as business or wildlife management. OSU graduates often pursue careers in intelligence, journalism, education, and other public service fields. Many graduates pursue advanced studies in the field or attend law school.

OSU offers four start dates per year, and online students have access to support services including online tutoring, success counseling, and career guidance. Students with previous college experience can apply transfer credit toward the degree; however, students must complete at least 45 of their final 75 credits through OSU.

Online students pay the same tuition rate as Oregon residents, though OSU assesses a small, per-credit distance education fee. Active duty military members who joined the service while residing in Oregon receive additional discounts.

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12. University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

The University of Iowa offers an online BA in political science. Graduates of the program often pursue careers in public policy, campaign management, and nonprofit and government administration. Others advance to graduate studies in law, public administration, or international relations after earning the online political science degree.

The comprehensive curriculum prepares students for careers and graduate studies in a variety of disciplines. Students complete coursework in areas such as the politics of class and inequality, the analysis of political data, Chinese politics, and American foreign policy. Learners choose a culminating experience that aligns with their academic and professional goals; students can participate in a supervised internship at a government agency or complete an undergraduate research tutorial. Distance learners work with program coordinators to find a local internship site.

Freshmen attend regular advising sessions, and the university matches students with a personal academic adviser from their major department. Online students can work with their adviser over the phone or in virtual sessions. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in major coursework. All students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of program format or state residency.

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13. University of Missouri – St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri

Established in 1963, the University of Missouri – St. Louis enrolls over 16,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. Students at the University of Missouri – St. Louis may pursue a variety of online degree programs, including an online bachelor of arts in political science.

This 120 credit online political science degree develops a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in key aspects of political science. Online college courses in the program cover topics such as:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Methodology
• Political Theory
• Public Law
• Public Policy and Administration

Graduates emerge prepared for careers in law, government, public administration, and politics, as well as future graduate study.

Students studying political science online must complete at least 36 credits in the major.

14. IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis)

Indianapolis, Indiana

IUPUI offers a BA in political science that requires 120 credit hours of major and general education courses. Major courses comprise 33 credit hours and cover subjects including comparative politics, international relations, and political analysis. The online political science degree requires no campus visits.

The university also offers accelerated paths to earning two advanced degrees in political science. Students can enroll in a joint BA/MA program, during which participants meet requirements for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in only five years. Students can also enter the joint BA/JD program, which allows learners to earn a bachelor’s and a law degree in only six years. Both joint programs require applicants to demonstrate exceptional academic performance.

Online and on-campus students pay the same tuition rate, and IUPUI assesses a small, per-credit distance learning fee. Indiana residents pay a discounted tuition rate, and residents of states participating in the Midwest Student Exchange Program pay discounted tuition rates.

Students can transfer up to 90 credits from an accredited institution. The university’s online credit transfer tool helps prospective transfer students estimate how many credits IUPUI will accept.

15. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia

Kennesaw State University offers a BS in political science that prepares students for careers in public service and for graduate studies in social science. Students earning the online political science degree choose from fully online and hybrid formats; Georgia learners can attend classes at either of KSU’s metro Atlanta campuses.

The program requires 120 credit hours in areas such as great political thinkers, public polling and survey techniques, and the U.S. Congress. KSU encourages students to complete a supervised internship or a cooperative study program with a local business, nonprofit organization, or government agency. Program coordinators help online learners find convenient internship sites near their homes. The program culminates in a senior seminar that highlights the interconnectedness of political science disciplines.

The university provides personalized, online academic coaching through the student affairs office. Distance learners have access to an online writing center that provides individual guidance in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. KSU hosts an online student community, through which distance learners collaborate on projects and seek help from peers. Both residents and non-residents pay the same tuition rate for online courses.

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16. University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

The University of North Alabama, the fourth-oldest public four-year university in the state, enrolls over 7,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs. For students interested in studying politics with a flexible format, the university offers an online political science degree program that results in a BA or BS.

The bachelor of political science online program requires 36 credits for the major and 120 credits overall. Students may elect to take the BS’s more technical and practical focus or the BA’s more critical and theoretical focus. Regardless, all students who complete the political science online program develop a strong foundation of knowledge in key field aspects. The program core includes courses in topics such as:

• Comparative Politics
• Political Theory
• Politics in the U.S. Government
• History and Scope of Political Science
• World Politics

The online political science degree program may be completed in four years of study, without students ever needing to attend campus.

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17. Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

A public institution established in 1873, Southeast Missouri State University enrolls over 11,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs. Among its undergraduate offering is an online bachelor of arts in social science with a political science concentration degree program.

Students seeking careers in political and public policy realms must complete 120 credits total to earn the online political science degree. The 120 credits include 39 credits of social science courses, 21 credits in the political science concentration, and six credits in a secondary concentration, such as criminal justice, economics, history, or sociology. Students earning the bachelor’s in political science online develop the knowledge and skills necessary to enter professions such as:

• Administrative Services
• Operations Analysis
• Policy Analysis
• State and Local Government

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18. Indiana University East

Richmond, Indiana

A regional campus of Indiana University, IU East serves around 3,500 students in undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, including an online bachelor of science in political science degree completion program.

The 60 credit online political science degree program focuses on upper-level coursework in the field. Students build on existing educational foundations and engage with advanced concepts in areas such as American politics, comparative politics, and political theory. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in upper-level political science online courses.

As the degree completion program is designed for students who need to finish their studies, applicants must have at least 60 hours of transferable college credit with a 2.0 GPA, or an associate degree.

19. University of West Georgia

Carrollton, Georgia

Established in 1906, the University of West Georgia is a public university with over 13,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree and certificate programs. Among its undergraduate options is an online bachelor of arts in political science.

Over the course of 124 credit hours, students in the online political science degree program develop a balanced approach to understanding and acting in the field. The program’s online college courses include topics such as:

• Comparative Politics
• International Politics
• Political Theory
• American Politics

Students may choose to pursue an internship to gain practical knowledge and experience. A 15 credit minor in a different discipline is required to ensure students gain a well-balanced education. Graduates of the political science online program emerge prepared for careers in:

• Future Graduate Study
• Local, National, and International Politics
• Public Policy
• Research and Analysis

20. Fort Hays State University

Hays, Kansas

Fort Hays State University offers more than two dozen online bachelor’s degrees, including an online BA in political science. Students complete many of the required online political science courses asynchronously through Blackboard, and the university offers some courses on DVD to serve students without a reliable internet connection. Full-time students typically take four years to complete the 124 credit hours required to earn the online political science degree.

Students choose from legal studies and public administration tracks. The legal studies track prepares students for law school through mock trials, LSAT preparation, and coursework in subjects including constitutional law and American civil liberties. The public administration track is ideal for students planning to pursue public service careers at the local, state, and federal levels. Public administration courses include budgeting, personnel management, the administrative process, and policy analysis.

Applicants must submit high school or GED transcripts and ACT scores. Students older than 22 do not need to submit standardized test scores. Out-of-state online students pay a higher tuition rate than Kansas residents but considerably less than out-of-state learners studying on campus. The university offers merit-based scholarships specifically for online students. FHSU accepts transfer credit and awards credit for military service and prior learning assessments.

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21. Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky

EKU students can earn a bachelor’s degree in political science entirely online. The university delivers courses for the BA in political science through Blackboard; distance learners watch lectures, complete assignments, collaborate with classmates, and take exams asynchronously. Online classes last eight weeks, and EKU offers six start dates per year.

The political science online degree requires 120 credit hours and features foundational coursework in government, political philosophy, and research methods. Students can explore specialized topics, such as politics and religion in the United States, the politics of development in Appalachia, and the politics of sex. Students complete 40 general education credit hours and a political science capstone.

Applicants must have either a high school GPA of at least 2.5, an ACT score of at least 20, an SAT score of 950 or better, or at least 24 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited institution. Transfer students can bring up to 90 previous credit hours.

All undergraduate students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of program format or state residency. Online students pay many of the same fees as on-campus students, and distance learners have access to support services including online tutoring, writing consultations, and tutorials.

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22. University of Memphis – UM Online

Memphis, Tennessee

The University of Memphis offers a 120-credit bachelor’s in political science. Students can earn the political science degree online, on campus, or in a hybrid format. Learners develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of government and gain skills needed for careers in public service, business, law, and academia.

In addition to general education courses, students complete 36 hours in American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. Available courses cover topics including political media, the politics of globalization, American foreign policy, and ancient political thought.

Students can join UofM’s political science honors program; applicants to the honors program must have completed their first two years with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 GPA in political science classes. Honors students complete special coursework and a senior thesis. At the commencement ceremony, the university recognizes students who successfully complete the honors program.

Most full-time students earn the degree in four years. In-state, out-of-state, and online students all pay the same tuition rate. Students have access to online tutoring and an online writing review program.

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23. Pennsylvania State University – World Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania

Penn State offers an online BA in political science that combines the rigor and resources of a leading public university with the convenience and flexibility of online education. Parents, professionals, and military members can pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science according to their schedule without ever visiting campus.

In addition to a general education core, the 120-credit program requires online political science courses in political theory, political research, and contemporary political ideologies. Elective options include the politics of terrorism, the politics and institutions of Latin American nations, and international political economy. Penn State delivers all online courses asynchronously and uses online discussion forums to help students learn from and support each other.

Most full-time students complete the program in four years. Penn State awards credit for prior experience; for example, veterans and active duty military members can receive credit for their service. Students can also earn credit through an exam. Transfer students can apply previous credits toward their bachelor’s.

While out-of-state learners studying online are not eligible for in-state tuition rates, some distance learners may qualify for discounted tuition. Penn State offers reduced tuition to active duty military personnel, federal employees, and dependents of military members and federal employees.

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24. University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth

Dartmouth, Massachusetts

The University of Massachusetts offers a fully online political science degree, which allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree while balancing professional and personal obligations. Because UMass offers the online bachelor of political science as a degree completion program, applicants must have at least 24 previous credits and can transfer up to 75 credits. The program is ideal for working professionals with previous college experience.

Of the 120 required credits, students must take 39 credits in political science classes. Course options include public administration, environmental policy, international relations, women and public policy, and the politics of football. The program features a pre-law concentration, which includes coursework in law and the courts. Students complete a three-credit internship; online students can select a local internship site.

Online students pay the same tuition rate as on-campus students, plus a $150 technology fee. Massachusetts residents over the age of 60 receive free tuition for online courses, provided space is available. UMass cannot currently enroll residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, and Minnesota in online programs; students from these states can study on campus.

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