Best Online Political Science Degrees in New York 2025

Students who can't make it to campus to learn in person can find accredited and affordable political science degrees online. Many highly rated online bachelor's in political science are available across the United States.

The best online political science programs cover a variety of political and governmental topics and prepare students for a range of careers. Keep reading to discover the best online political science degrees in New York.

Best Online Political Science Degree Programs in New York

Only a couple of colleges in New York State offer online political science degree programs. We've listed them below.

1. Lehman College

Lehman College is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and is located in the Bronx. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in political science.

This program helps students develop an understanding of government and the political process in the United States and the world. Internship opportunities are available for this program but are not required.

2. State University of New York at Potsdam

At the State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science online. This program prepares students for a broad range of career paths, including in law, government, foreign service, public policy, social action, business, and nonprofit management.

SUNY Potsdam is a public college in Potsdam, NY. It gives online students the opportunity to complete applied learning experiences like internships, service projects, research, study abroad, and career preparation.

Other Top Online Political Science Programs

Although there are only two online political science degrees within the state of New York, the excellent thing about online programs is students can learn from colleges across the country. Below, we've highlighted a few additional online political science programs.

Arizona State University

An online Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science are available through Arizona State University. ASU is a public research institution in Tempe, AZ.

Both programs provide a foundation in political theory. However, the BA includes a foreign language component and is better for those pursuing international studies, while the BS focuses more on statistics and policy.

Additionally, ASU offers an online master's degree in political psychology. This graduate program explores the cognitive forces that influence political decision-making.

Florida International University

Florida International University offers a Bachelor of Arts in political science online. It provides an in-depth understanding of various topics within political science through the study of American government and politics, comparative politics, political theory, and international politics.

FIU, based in Miami, is a public research university. Its interactive technology enables online students to watch lectures, get real-time feedback from instructors, and collaborate with classmates on projects.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public research institution in Corvallis, OR. Like ASU, it offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in political science.

However, where these two programs differ is in the liberal arts general education requirements. Both have the same core major courses, but the BA includes a language requirement and the BS includes additional computer science and math courses.

PennState World Campus

Students at PennState World Campus also have the option to choose between a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. The World Campus is the online branch of the public Pennsylvania State University system.

The BA is more focused on social sciences and is best for those who want to develop a deep knowledge of U.S. domestic politics, international politics, or the politics of other nations. The BS, meanwhile, focuses on political analysis and evaluation.

Southern New Hampshire University

An online Bachelor of Arts in political science is available at Southern New Hampshire University. Coursework explores political questions, tactics, and strategies from many perspectives while allowing students to develop key critical thinking and communication skills.

SNHU is a private university located in Manchester, NH. It requires students in this undergraduate degree to complete a capstone experience to close out their program.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the academic programs listed above, we focused on:

• Location: We started by looking at schools within New York, then moved on to top-ranking programs in other states.
• Accreditation: All programs hold regional accreditation.
• Type: We selected only four-year public and nonprofit private schools.
• Financial aid: All programs above come from online colleges that take the FAFSA, and many also offer their own financial aid options, which increase affordability.

What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Political Science Program?

Online degrees, including those in political science, typically use asynchronous courses. This means that you complete your coursework on your own time, without set meeting times like you would have if you were studying on campus.

Bachelor's degrees usually require about 120 credit hours, which takes about four years of full-time study to complete. However, some programs offer part-time options, and others offer accelerated online political science degrees. Graduate degrees usually take anywhere from one to three years to complete.

Most schools don't have special admissions requirements to get into the political science program. You'll just need to be accepted into the school. This requires a high school diploma or GED, and there may be other admissions requirements as well.

Graduate schools often have advanced requirements. You'll need a bachelor's degree and likely a minimum undergraduate GPA. You may also need the GRE, letters of recommendation, personal essays, and a resume.

Political Science Program Coursework

Political science degrees cover a range of topics, including:

• American politics
• comparative politics
• human rights
• international affairs
• international relations
• political theory
• public administration
• public policy

Some programs offer concentrations or specializations so you can tailor your online program to your career goals.

Political Science Career Paths

Political science majors can pursue career paths in fields like criminal justice, human rights, government, politics, and public service. Common career paths include:

• campaign manager
• human rights advocate
• international affairs specialist
• legislative assistant
• lobbyist
• political scientist

Additionally, political science is a great pre-law major that prepares students to continue on to law school.

Discover Accredited Online Programs Today

Find the right online political science degree for you by exploring the accredited programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual colleges to learn more about completing your higher education.