Online Political Science Degrees

For students interested in the current political world around them and in the reasons for it being the way
it is, political science will provide the skills for understanding the past’s impact on the present and for attempting to predict how the present state of affairs might end up. From trying to understand wars and elections to figuring out the impact and purpose of censuses and international trade, a degree in political science will cover the pertinent theoretical explanations for and practical application of global political events. As globalization makes the world a smaller and more connected place, nations will invariably have more of an impact on one another. In addition, as trade expands and the borders that once created barriers to trade melt away, a strong understanding of political science will help degree holders to use their knowledge to both explain global events and use past affairs to guide future political decisions.

Students will take a variety of both practical and theoretical classes which will help to create a strong foundation for understanding historical political events, analyzing current political affairs and predicting future occurrences. General courses include political theory, international relations, international law, American government, international political economy, constitutional law, economics, philosophy and public policy. A degree in political science also opens the doors for many advanced degrees including doctoral programs in political science, law, and public policy as well as masters programs which look at the politics of specific countries or regions, international trade and international development. Students are encouraged to take classes which focus on the use of statistical analysis to study political phenomena and to use computer programs to carry out political research.

Since a strong background in political science provides a broad educational foundation, degree holders will have the critical thinking, writing and analytical skills to move into many different kinds of jobs. In order to do one’s own research, a masters or doctoral degree is encouraged at which point a political scientist could work independently as a researcher or political analyst. In addition to working in local and national politics, political scientists often move into academia or work with international businesses to help them assimilate into the areas in which they locate. Political scientists’ broad range of skills will provide them for work from the strategizing on the campaign trail to writing as a journalist. Starting salaries for political science degree holders are in the $40,000 range with graduate degrees leading to much higher salaries for lawyers, politicians and government workers.