Online Political Science Degree

When you study Political Science, you inspect all aspects of political systems and public policy- their history, their development and their operations. This does not just apply to the politics of the United States, but rather this discipline can span a wide range of political activity from the local politics of small towns to large urban centers to the politics of the world.


A degree in Political science can help you learn how to scientifically analyze political entities (local, national, and international) in terms of ideology, public opinion, and public policy.

Political scientists help provide the frameworks from which politicians, special interest groups and journalists may analyze issues. As a political scientist you may choose to serve as an adviser to someone running for office, or may wish to run for office yourself. You could choose to work with the government or an NGO or even a private organization.

The sky's the limit with a Political Science degree. It's just a matter of where you choose to direct your new found knowledge.

Degree Choices

AA/AS, BA/BS, MA/MS, PhD. Undergraduate degrees can prepare you for entry-level jobs in Political Science. While it used to be that Political Science was just a stepping stone to a law degree that is no longer the case. There are many public relations firms, for example, that would love to have a political science major as part of the team.

With a Master's or PhD, you can prepare yourself for a job as a Legislative Aid, Campaign Manager, State Legislator, Lobbyist or Consultant- to name just a few of the many opportunities that can be had with a higher level degree in Political Science.

You could also move on to Law School if you so chose and become a lawyer, prosecutor, judge, or get involved with the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government. As the names imply, the degrees of science (AS, BS, MS, and Doctorates) will require more math and science courses.

Some of the courses that may be required for a Political Science degree could include: Comparative Politics, Political Science Research Methods, Principles of Macro Economics, Political thought and political theory, and International Relations.

At all degree levels with Political Science, the possibilities are nearly endless!

Career and Salary Outlook

While Political science jobs pay well- averaging around $92,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the predicted growth rate for future employment in this industry is about 5% (from 2006 to 2016). Currently most of the Political Science jobs are found in the federal government, with the second highest number of jobs going to political scientists working with research and development services.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for political science research will begin to grow as interest in politics and human affairs seems to be on the rise.

Political scientists, the go on to say, will probably start to get involved in such issues as environmental policy and immigration. As interest grows, social organizations and nonprofit groups will need more political scientists. Finally, there may be a need for a greater number of political scientists to lobby for social organizations and nonprofit groups.