Why Get a Political Science Degree?

A degree in political science can open up your career to a vast number of job opportunities. The realm of political science does not only entail politicians; many people receive political science degrees who are interested in pursuing a career in law, government on all levels, FBI/CIA agents, political analyst and researchers, public administration and international relations. Political science is the study of government on the federal, state, local and international level. These studies include investigating the process in which political decisions are made and also studying the impact these political decisions have upon society. Many students who receive political science degrees go onto obtain careers in law, government, teaching, business and journalism.

With the growth of the internet, many colleges and universities now offer online political science degrees. These accredited universities allow for the student to decide, on their own time, when and where to take their courses. This allows for the student to maintain a part-time or full time job while taking courses towards a political science degree.

BA/Political Science and Government	Master of Public Administration - Local Government Management
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Coursework needed?

Most colleges and universities require the student to take a core or introductory level of classes in a range of fields to receive their bachelor’s degree. This core curriculum ensures that the student graduates from the school with a foundation of basic knowledge in a range of general subjects. These subjects typically consist of math, writing, reading, critical thinking and at times the arts.

Once completed, or simultaneously, a student can also begin taking classes towards their online political science degree. Most coursework for a political science department is heavily reliant upon the student taking political courses that focus upon the different theories and types of government. Typical political science courses:

• American Government, which includes several different courses, such as:
  • Courses focus upon the institutions and policy process. Typically, a student will learn what processes policies follow through the American political institutions, such as Congress.
  • Courses that are focused upon the federal court system. Students learn the basic function of the Supreme Court and the lower court structures. The student will research many of the formal court documents that affect the American government, such as the Bill of Rights or Jim Crow laws.
  • Courses focused upon political parties and interest groups. During these courses, a student learns the importance behind interest groups and how they can affect the governing process. Additionally, the student will learn the characterization of modern political parties and learn about their history.
  • Courses on the study of the electoral system examine theory behind elections and campaigns and also look into the historical successes and failures that candidates have experienced utilizing these methods.
• Comparative Government are courses that study, empirically, many different types of politics, typically focusing upon more than one country. This comparing of different forms of politics includes comparing different political theories, different foreign governments and different foreign policies.
• Political Theory courses often use the writings of Aristotle, Sophocles, Rousseau, Marx, Plato and Nietzsche, to name a few, to examine the different forms of political theory that exist. Through this examination, a student will research different forms of governments, both historical and modern, and determine which political theories formed which governments and leaders.
• International Relations is the study of foreign affairs and their impact upon the globe. These issues typically expand further than just politics and policy but also tend to include economic development, human rights, terrorism, and etcetera.
• Public Administration is a set of courses that focuses upon public policy. These courses typically research the development of political policy by the government, the influences in the policymaking process and then how these policies are applied and introduced into actual use.
  
• Law is the study of the judicial branch of government. These courses are often taken by students who are interested in seeking a career in law or are pre-law. Much of the focus of these courses is to understand how the judicial system functions and also to research court cases to help the student grasp the fundamentals and impact that the judicial system has upon society and government.

What schools offer accredited online political science degrees?

Below is a list of accredited universities and colleges that offer online political science degrees along with their contact information.

Ashford University

Online Political Science Degree available: Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science and Government

Contact information:
400 North Bluff Blvd.
Clinton, Iowa 52732
(866) 711-1700

University of Maryland/ UMUC Online

Online Political Science Degree available: Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science

Contact information:
3501 University Blvd. East
Adelphi, MD 20783
(800) 888-8682

Walden University

Online Political Science Degree available: Master of Public Administration focused in Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities

Contact information:
650 South Exeter Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
866-492-5336

What jobs opportunities are available with a political science degree and what income can one expect with this degree?

The job opportunities that are available for individuals who have obtained a degree in the political science field are nearly limitless. Individuals with these degrees find jobs as intelligence analyst, activist, lobbyist, Foreign Service officer, policy analyst, political commentator, pollster, public affairs researchers and many other jobs. In 2008, 63% of political scientist who worked in this field held jobs for the United States Government.

According to the United States government, the employment growth for political scientists is increasing faster than average, making this field an excellent career choice. The job field for political scientist is expected to grow by 21% by 2018. Individuals, who seek an advance degree in political science, if it be a master’s of Ph. D, have the greatest advancement opportunities.

The median income for a political scientist is $104,130(2008). The average income for a political scientist is $74,040 and $124,490. Income for this career field is dependant upon location of employment, with the larger salaries connected typically with Washington DC and the federal government.