Best Online Political Science Degrees in Ohio 2025

Students in Ohio have the option to study from top online political science degree programs across the country. The best online bachelor's in political science cover core topics in local and federal government, as well as global politics.

Accredited, affordable online political science degrees are a great way for busy students to complete their higher education. Keep reading to discover the best online political science degrees in Ohio.

Top Online Political Science Degree Programs in Ohio

One university in Ohio offers online political science degrees. We've highlighted some of the top choices below.

University of Akron

The University of Akron is a public research university in Akron, OH. It offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in applied politics that focuses on practical politics and experiential learning.

This master's degree is designed for students interested in election campaigns, digital strategy and messaging, fundraising, managing organizations, and other political activities. It requires an internship in government and politics.

Other Top Online Political Science Programs

Although there is only one school in Ohio that offers an online political science degree, political science students have the flexibility to earn their degrees through online schools across the country. We've listed a few additional top online political science programs below.

Arizona State University

At Arizona State University, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in political science online. Both programs provide a foundation in the study of politics but the BS has an additional focus on statistics and policy creation; the BA has a foreign language component ideal for those wanting to pursue international relations.

ASU, a public research university, is located in Tempe, AZ. It also offers an MA in political psychology online, which focuses on understanding the forces shaping individuals' political beliefs and actions.

Central Michigan University

An online BS is available through Central Michigan University. CMU is a public research institution in Mount Pleasant, MI.

Students graduate from this program with a better understanding of politics and the American political system. Coursework examines the relationships among individuals, governments, and the public good, as well as how countries can work together to fix global challenges.

Indiana University

Indiana University offers both a BS and MA in political science online. This public university is headquartered in Bloomington, IN.

The political science bachelor's degree teaches students how government works and studies political behavior, public policy, and political systems. Students take courses covering federal and state politics, political philosophy, public opinion, and political participation.

In the graduate program, students learn to utilize the approaches and methods of political scientists to explain political institutions and behavior. They are required to choose a specialization in either American politics or world politics.

PennState World Campus

PennState World Campus is the online branch of the public Pennsylvania State University system. It offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in political science.

In both undergraduate degrees, students develop a foundation in government, political theory, and related fields. However, the BA is a liberal arts degree focusing more on the social sciences, while the BS focuses more on political analysis and evaluation.

Southern New Hampshire University

Students at Southern New Hampshire University can earn a BA in political science online. This program provides students with a unique perspective on the relationship between the U.S. political system, public perception, and the policies that shape government.

SNHU is a private institution based in Manchester, NH. In this program, the school requires students to complete a capstone project, which assesses their ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework.

University of Central Florida

An online BA in political science is available through the University of Central Florida. UCF is a public research institution in Orlando, FL.

In this program, students learn critical thinking, analytical, and reasoning skills through coursework covering government, politics, international relations, political theory, public policy, and more.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the programs listed above, we focused on:

• Location: We started by looking at schools in Ohio, then expanded our search to top-ranked schools nationwide.
• Accreditation: All schools above hold regional accreditation.
• Type: We focused specifically on four-year public and private, nonprofit schools.
• Financial Aid: All programs come from online colleges that accept FAFSA, and many of these schools offer their own financial aid options as well.

What To Expect From an Online Political Science Program

The admissions requirements for undergraduate students are usually simple for political science programs. Typically, you just need to be admitted to the university.

While all universities are different, you'll almost certainly need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some may have additional admissions requirements, like a minimum high school GPA or ACT/SAT scores. If you're pursuing a degree completion program, you'll need either an associate degree or a significant number of transfer credits.

Graduate schools usually have more comprehensive requirements. You'll need a bachelor's degree, and likely a minimum undergraduate GPA. You may also need to take the GRE and may need to submit personal essays, letters of recommendation, and/or a resume.

Online degrees are usually offered through asynchronous classes, meaning you can log on and complete your coursework at any time. For many students, this is far more flexible than meeting on campus a few times a week.

Bachelor's degrees usually require 120 credit hours, which takes about four years of full-time study. However, some schools offer part-time programs or accelerated online political science degrees. Master's programs often vary in length between one and three years; two years is about average.

FAQs About Accredited Online Programs in Political Science

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about accredited online political science programs.

Which Degree Is Best for Political Science?

Undergraduate political science majors can sometimes choose between a BA and a BS. The best degree option depends on your career goals. BA degrees are usually more focused on social sciences and international relations, while BS degrees include courses in computer science and data analytics.

If you want to further your studies, you can earn a master's in political science. Some schools also offer doctoral degrees in political science, but those are usually for those who want to go into research or academia.

What Courses Are Typically in an Online Political Science Program?

Political science programs include coursework that covers numerous important topics, such as:

• American government
• comparative politics
• foreign policy and international politics
• international relations
• political behavior
• public administration
• public affairs and public policy

Some programs may offer concentrations or specializations, while others let you choose elective courses so you can tailor your degree to your career goals.

What Can I Do With a Political Science Degree?

Several career opportunities are available to students with a political science degree. Common options include:

• campaign manager
• community organizer
• intelligence officer
• legal assistant
• lobbyist
• political scientist
• social activist

Additionally, many students choose a political science major before pursuing law school.

Explore Accredited Online Bachelor's Degrees Today

Start your journey toward a career in politics by exploring the accredited online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to request information about their online political science degrees.