10 Best Online Political Science Degrees 2025

<p>Completing an online program in political science can make it easier for many students to finish their education and pursue their career goals. Let's explore some of the best colleges offering political science degrees for online students. </p> <h3 id="section---1.PennsylvaniaStateUniversityWorldCampus">1. Pennsylvania State University World Campus</h3> <p>Pennsylvania State University's World Campus is a public online school providing many high-quality online degree programs. One of these is a Bachelor of Arts in political science. </p> <p>The program features a range of courses that help students develop critical thinking skills while learning about comparative politics, political theory, international relations, and more. All coursework is offered in a convenient online format and taught by expert faculty who provide the same quality of education for online students as they do for those who learn in person. </p> <h3 id="section---2.FloridaInternationalUniversity">2. Florida International University</h3> <p>Florida International University is a large public school in southern Florida. It enrolls many of its students in online degree programs, one of which includes a Bachelor of Arts in political science. </p> <p>This flexible degree program, headed by world-class faculty, lets students choose whether to pursue general or specialized education within the field of political science. Coursework covers an array of subjects like American politics, international politics, and public policy. </p> <h3 id="section---3.ArizonaStateUniversity">3. Arizona State University</h3> <p>Arizona State University boasts a large enrollment of more than 150,000 students, many of whom earn online degrees. The school offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in political science. </p> <p>Students in these top programs are prepared for careers ranging from American governments to nonprofit organizations. These accelerated online political science degrees provide seven-and-a-half-week course sessions to help students work through the program at an increased rate. Both programs help students develop analytical skills to thrive in many professional environments. </p> <h3 id="section---4.TexasTechUniversity">4. Texas Tech University</h3> <p>Texas Tech University is headquartered in Lubbock, TX. It provides both online and on-campus degrees, and one of the programs available is a Bachelor of Arts in political science. </p> <p>This program, which comes from a highly reputable university, gives students a broad foundation in many political science topics like foreign policy, public opinion, and political behavior. Graduates can pursue a wide variety of careers and also have the opportunity to enroll in graduate school and pursue the best master's in political science for them. </p> <h3 id="section---5.UniversityOfIllinoisSpringfield">5. University of Illinois Springfield</h3> <p>The University of Illinois Springfield is a small public school that provides various online degree programs. Students at this school can earn both an online Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in political science. </p> <p>These programs are highly affordable and flexible, enabling students to enter or advance their careers in public administration, business, and other fields. Students benefit from high-quality courses taught by expert faculty at a leading school in online education. </p> <h3 id="section---6.UniversityOfCentralFlorida">6. University of Central Florida</h3> <p>The University of Central Florida is in Orlando, FL. It offers various online degree programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in political science. </p> <p>Students in this program receive support from advisors who help them tailor their degree to their professional interests. Courses cover topics like political parties, civic engagement, and more to help students develop critical reasoning skills that can be used in various real-world settings. </p> <h3 id="section---7.GeorgiaStateUniversity">7. Georgia State University</h3> <p>Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA. It is a public school that provides online and in-person degree programs in many fields. Online students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science. </p> <p>This program offers an optional concentration in pre-law. Students gain practical skills and knowledge in various political science methodologies to help them thrive in graduate school, law school, and various career paths. </p> <h3 id="section---8.UniversityOfMissouriSt.Louis">8. University of Missouri St. Louis</h3> <p>The University of Missouri St. Louis is a part of the University of Missouri System. Students at this school can pursue an online Bachelor of Arts in political science. </p> <p>This program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation due to its high-quality online courses, flexibility, and program options. Students can choose to pursue an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program while studying online, earning a graduate degree in political science in a shorter timeframe and entering the job market ahead of the competition. </p> <h3 id="section---9.IndianaUniversity">9. Indiana University</h3> <p>Indiana University is a public school in Bloomington, IN. Students attending this school online can pursue a Bachelor of Science in political science. </p> <p>This program features flexible coursework in a range of topics like state and federal politics, political philosophy, and constitutional law. Students develop logical analysis and communication skills to help them thrive in a wide range of careers. </p> <h3 id="section---10.UniversityOfNorthDakota">10. University of North Dakota</h3> <p>The University of North Dakota is a public school in Grand Forks, ND. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in political science that students can complete online or on campus. </p> <p>The program helps students build leadership skills as they explore global political systems and relationships between citizens and states. Students can pursue accelerated bachelor's-to-master's and bachelor's-to-law degrees, saving time and money while earning advanced degrees that will advance their career aspirations. </p> <h2 id="section---TypesOfPoliticalSciencePrograms">Types of Political Science Programs</h2> <p>There are different types and levels of political science degrees. The primary options are: </p> <ul><li>Associate degrees: A political science associate degree program contains mostly general education courses and some introductory political science classes. These programs can usually be finished within two years. </li><li>Bachelor's degrees: Bachelor's degrees in political science are most common. They consist of at least 120 credit hours of general education, core political science courses, and electives and are typically completed within four years. </li><li>Master's degrees: Master's degrees in political science are less common, but they provide advanced coursework to help students advance in their current career or pursue new career opportunities. Top online master's in political science take anywhere from one to three years to complete. </li><li>Doctoral degrees: Some schools offer doctoral degrees in political science. These are often research-intensive and lead to high-level positions and college education careers. It often takes four to seven years to finish them. </li></ul><h2 id="section---AdmissionRequirementsForPoliticalSciencePrograms">Admission Requirements for Political Science Programs</h2> <p>Each school has different admissions requirements, but they are often similar to each other. If you're planning to enroll in a political science bachelor's degree program, common admission requirements include: </p> <ul><li>a high school diploma or GED </li><li>official transcripts demonstrating a GPA of 2.0 or better </li><li>ACT or SAT scores </li></ul><p>Advanced programs may also request letters or recommendation or personal essays. You will also need to hold at least a bachelor's degree to pursue a master's or doctoral degree. </p> <h2 id="section---ScholarshipOpportunitiesForPoliticalScienceMajors">Scholarship Opportunities for Political Science Majors</h2> <p>Many <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_that_accept_fafsa.html">online colleges that accept FAFSA</a> will also accept other forms of financial aid to help students cover their expenses. Political science majors are encouraged to consider the following scholarships tailored to their program of study. </p> <h3 id="section---EnidHallGriswoldMemorialScholarship">Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship</h3> <p><b>Award Amount:</b> $5,000 </p> <p><b>Application Deadline:</b> January 31, 2025 </p> <p>This scholarship is available for juniors or seniors enrolled in an accredited American college or university. Students must be working toward a degree in political science, economics, history, or government. Two scholarships are awarded each year. </p> <h3 id="section---WomenInDefenseScholarProgram">Women in Defense Scholar Program</h3> <p><b>Award Amount:</b> Varies </p> <p><b>Application Deadline:</b> March 15, 2025 </p> <p>This scholarship is available for women currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited college or university. Students in various fields of study can apply for the scholarship, and political science is one of the preferred areas of study. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, demonstrated financial need, and a GPA of at least 3.25. </p> <h3 id="section---RepublicanWomenLeadingTheWayScholarship">Republican Women Leading the Way Scholarship</h3> <p><b>Award Amount:</b> $1,000 </p> <p><b>Application Deadline:</b> 2025 (will be announced soon) </p> <p>This scholarship is available through the Virginia Federation of Republican Women. Two scholarships are awarded annually to republican women attending American colleges and universities. Preference is given to students enrolled in political science and related degree programs. </p> <h2 id="section---EarnYourOnlineBachelorSDegreeToday">Earn Your Online Bachelor's Degree Today</h2> <p>If you're ready to begin taking online courses in political science, consider the schools featured here on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools today to learn more about their programs and to find the right one for you. To find local programs, click on your state below: </p> <ul><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_california.html">California</a> </li><li><a href="http://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_florida.html">Florida</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_georgia.html">Georgia</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_illinois.html">Illinois</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_new_jersey.html">New Jersey</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_new_york.html">New York</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_ohio.html">Ohio</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_pennsylvania.html">Pennsylvania</a> </li><li><a href="http://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_texas.html">Texas</a> </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_political_science_degrees_virginia.html">Virginia</a></li></ul>