Online Political Science Degree Programs

An online political science degree is ideal if you're thinking about a career in politics or government and international relations.

Political science degree programs focus on providing you with skills in political theory, constitutional law, politics and political parties, ethnic studies, human rights, international relations, sociology, and comparative political systems. Newer concepts in political science degree programs include threat analysis and intelligence analysis.

Earning an Online Political Science Degree

Many students pursue their political science degree through an online political science degree program. Accredited online colleges focus on providing working people access to high-quality political science courses at any time of the day or night. You should be careful to make sure that the online political science degree program you attend is accredited to ensure that your degree will be accepted by employers and other colleges and universities, and to protect yourself against fraudulent degree programs and diploma mills.

Accredited Online Political Science Degree Programs

Online political science degrees and related programs are available by distance learning in these and more areas of study:

Biology Degree
Environmental Studies
History Degree
Humanities Degrees
Liberal Studies

Mathematics
Political Science
Social Sciences
Writing

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What can I expect from a political science degree?

Political science degree programs are designed to provide you with the tools you need to analyze public policy, develop and recommend government policy decisions, raise public awareness of social problems, and influence government actions. In fact, many organizations outside of traditional local, state, and federal government entities require the skills you will learn in a political science degree program. Many business and non-profit organizations hire people with political science skills to help them navigate regulatory issues and influence government policy as it affects their organizations.

Associate's Degree in Political Science

An associate's degree is an undergraduate degree that can open many doors for an aspiring government policy analyst. Associate's degree training includes introductions to political science, human behavior, sociology, law and ethics, and statistics.

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science

A bachelor's degree is an undergraduate degree that provides greater depth and breadth to your understanding of political science. In addition to more coursework in political systems, you will also receive instruction in constitutional law, American government, political parties, ethnic studies, public policy, sociology, and security issues and analysis. Your problem-solving skills will be sharpened and challenged through actual case studies of political policy problems and solutions.

Master's Degree in Political Science

Many people choose to continue their political science education in a Master's degree program. Online Master's degree in political science programs provides you with in-depth training in American government and its branches, bureaucracy, foreign policy, strategy and strategic planning, specific public policy issues such as health care, energy policy, and ethnic and gender policies, research methods, and much more. By the time you have completed your master's degree in political science, you will be ready to meet challenges at the highest levels of government and international relations.

Doctorate in Political Science

For those who are oriented toward research, a Ph.D. can be pursued online at several accredited colleges. Completion of a Ph.D. is a major undertaking, requiring additional coursework that analyzes political science in great detail. You will also write and defend a dissertation which will include an original piece of research you have conducted.

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Careers and Salaries with a Degree in Political Science

Your political science degree will open doors to you in a wide variety of careers in areas such as local, state, and federal government, law, nonprofit organizations, political campaigning, and public administration. One of the best features of a political science degree is that it is so adaptable that it is usually easy to move from one industry or career field to another, for example a career in law.

Jobs open to graduates with a bachelor's degree in political science include market analyst, research assistant, writer or policy analyst. Most political science jobs offer preference to those who hold a master's degree in political sciences. As a highly trained political scientist, you can expect to work as a policy analyst, city planner, lobbyist, attorney, political data analyst, or as a supervisor of analysts and researchers. A PhD in political science can lead to a career as a professor, think-tank member, or high level government policy analyst. These careers can be found in education administration, social and community services management, local, state, and federal government, law and business, and in political campaigns.

Salaries for graduates vary widely, depending upon the degree you earn, the industry you choose, and where you live. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2008), graduates average between $75,000 and $125,000.

The median annual wages of political scientists was $104,130 while judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates had median annual wages of $110,220 and market research analysts was $61,070 while urban and regional planners earned a median of $59,810 in the same period. A new political science assistant professor with a PhD can expect to earn between $50,000 and $55,000 per year. Because of the increasing political complexity of issues, government regulations, and international relations, opportunities for graduates in political science are expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years.