<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-political-science-online/">Master's in Political Science</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, Virginia 24061	$13,701	86%
#2 Northeastern University 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115	$24,793	89%
#3 East Carolina University East 5th Street, Greenville, North Carolina 27858	$4,749	66%
#4 Norwich University 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, Vermont 05663-1035	$17,904	61%
#5 Georgia State University 33 gilmer st, Atlanta, Georgia 30303	$7,164	55%
#6 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340	$5,765	54%
#7 University of Illinois Springfield One University Plaza, Springfield, Illinois 62703	$8,270	54%
#8 Eastern Illinois University 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920	$7,356	53%
#9 University of Nebraska at Omaha 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, Nebraska 68182	$5,558	50%
#10 Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515	$7,980	47%
#11 University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32514	$7,088	46%
#12 American Public University 111 W Congress St, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414	$6,615	40%
#13 Southern New Hampshire University 2500 North River Road, Manchester, New Hampshire 03106	$18,810	44%
#14 Western New Mexico University 1000 W. College Ave, Silver City, New Mexico 88061	$3,356	34%
#15 Bellevue University 1000 Galvin Rd S, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005-3098	$10,530	24%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-political-science-online/">Master's in Political Science</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Western New Mexico University 1000 W. College Ave, Silver City, New Mexico 88061	$3,356	34%
#2 Fort Hays State University 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601	$3,582	43%
#3 Sul Ross State University HWY 90 East, Alpine, Texas 79832	$3,900	25%
#4 Northeastern State University 600 N Grand, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464	$4,500	33%
#5 University of Nebraska at Omaha 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, Nebraska 68182	$5,558	50%
#6 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340	$5,765	54%
#7 American Public University System 111 W Congress St, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414	$6,615	40%
#8 Texas A&M University JKW Administration Building, Suite 200, College Station, Texas 77843	$6,677	82%
#9 The University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32514	$7,088	46%
#10 Eastern Illinois University 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, Illinois 61920	$7,356	53%
#11 Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515	$7,980	47%
#12 University of Illinois at Springfield One University Plaza, Springfield, Illinois 62703	$8,270	54%
#13 University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive # 0001, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406	$8,786	49%
#14 Bellevue University 1000 Galvin Rd S, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005-3098	$10,530	24%
#15 Regent University 1000 Regent University Dr, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464	$15,552	57%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

A Masters’s in political science helps you acquire knowledge about all government branches such as legislative, executive, and judicial. It introduces you to connecting politics with public policy and the complex world of public administration and different government systems. A master’s in political science helps you do that and explore everything about domestic and international affairs. As part of the study, you will learn about all aspects of political behavior, policy issues, different government structures across the globe, and much more. These programs also help you improve your writing skills, communication, analysis, and data skills. And the web-based on master’s degrees are becoming increasingly popular even for political science. But before you apply for an online master’s in political science programs, let us dig deep and understand all aspects of these programs.

Online Masters in Political Science Degree Types

Gaining knowledge about political science gives you a better understanding of political situations and political life in your country, neighborhood, and global level. This subject’s study can be attained through two main degree types – MA Political Science, also known as Master of Arts in Political Science, and MS Political Science, known as Master of Science in Political Science. Selecting either of the degrees gives you better outreach in the job market.

Specializations in Masters in Political Science Programs

The majority of the master’s programs have specializations or concentrations that help you learn and understand the subject better. These specializations are available on various topics, and according to your interest, you can add them to your master’s in political science. The following are some of the specializations you can pick while pursuing your master’s program.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in Political Science Programs

Apart from gaining, applying the knowledge in real-life scenarios is taught across all the universities. It is the same for political science courses online as well, where you are given a platform to develop skills such as:

• Planning and development skills
• Research and quantitative skills
• Analytical skills
• Effective communication skills and more

A Major in political science encompasses the learnings in different subjects. The curriculum for these programs may vary between various universities that offer them. However, here a few are courses that you will come across in masters in political science programs:

Accreditation for Online Masters in Political Science Programs

An accredited school or university goes through an evaluation process, proving that they meet the laid quality standards, and this process is called Accreditation. An accredited program offered by a university assures that you are given a quality education, financial aid eligibility, and employers value the degree. There are two types of accreditation process: regional and national. Learn more about the accreditation process and understand why it is important.

While all the programs have their specific accrediting agencies, Political Science major programs do not have any accrediting organization. When you opt for a master’s in political science online, ensure that regional or national accrediting organizations accredit the programs. You can also check if the Database of Education or CHEA accredits the political science program.

Timeline for graduation from Masters in Political Science Programs

To pursue a Master’s in Political science, you need to complete 34-45 credits. Usually, the timeline for earning a master’s degree differs from program to program. However, any master’s program for a full-time, on average, takes about two years for completion. At the same time, a part-time graduation seeker would take a minimum of three to four years.

You can also opt for universities that offer fast-track programs that allow you to finish the masters’ in political science online in shorter periods.

Online Masters in Political Science Programs Admission Requirements

It is a must step to know the admission requirement before applying for any master’s program. While these admission requirements might be different across various universities, there are certain common ones. Here are the typical admission requirements for masters in political science online programs:

• Transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate courses
• Application form and fees
• GRE scores
• Transcripts form undergraduate degrees
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Minimum GPA score of 3.0 in an undergraduate degree

Accelerated master’s programs help students complete their master’s coursework in less time than stipulated. They benefit students interested in earning initial licensure to teach in their respective states soon after graduating. Such programs are economical and help students complete coursework with no residency requirement; they can transfer credits and fast-track the program as well. Here are a couple of colleges offering accelerated master’s in secondary education online:  

Most students that pursue online master’s programs are individuals that already have a job and want to enhance their careers or change track. This is true for online master’s in political science students too. And time is of the essence for such students. Some universities offer accelerated online masters in political science programs. Here are some of the universities that offer 1-year political science masters programs:

Many students want to test political science’s waters before leaping into online master’s in political science programs. Many free online political science courses offer a preview of how the field of political science looks like. While there are no free accredited online master’s programs in political science, there are many free that give you access to major universities’ materials or courseware, helping you acquire knowledge, skills and apply them in your career. Here are some of the free online courses for your immediate access:

• US Political Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Courts, and Bureaucracy: This free online political course by Harvard University about the different aspects of US Political institutions, constituencies, influence of Politics on the Supreme court, and more.
•  American Political Thought: MITOpenCourseware comprises American Political thought from the colonial era to the present time.
• American Foreign Policy – Theory and Method: This course is offered by MITOpen Courseware, concentrating on American foreign policy’s causes and consequences since 1898.
• US Social Policy: Historical development and contemporary politics of US Social Policy examined in MIT’s courseware.

Master’s in political science online program helps you throve in political science and enhances your careers. But funding an online master’s in political science is always a challenge, just like any other higher educational degree. This section will walk through various ways to pay for your online master’s in political science.  Here are some ways you can fund your higher education:

Learn and understand more about financial aid on the best financial aid guide.

Scholarships for Masters in Political Science Students

Here are a few scholarships for political science students:

Political Science is all about analyzing political behavior, governance, administration, civil service, and running public policy that affects millions of people. But political science professionals also study history, economic policies, and other concepts like how government operates, how the laws are created, and much more. This knowledge acquired while going through an online master’s in political science helps you apply for various career roles and titles. Master’s in political science online can be your stepping stone toward starting a thriving career, something like a political scientist. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a political scientist’s median annual salary is $122,220. According to PayScale, the following is a list of jobs, descriptions, and other details for students that graduate with a masters in political science:

While students can enhance their careers by graduating from online master’s in political science programs, getting certifications and necessary licensures can make them stand above the competition. Certifications programs also provide advantages such as providing much needed theoretical and practical experience. Employers look for individuals who possess certifications and qualified candidates that already possess licenses. While there is no specific license to work in the political science field, the licenses depend more on the position you choose to pursue, like a lawyer or political science teacher. Below are some of the certifications you can add to your resume.

• Political Studies certification from Bard College at Simon’s Rock
• Certificate in Government Analytics
• Peace Studies Concentration

Getting an online master’s degree in political science is a great way to provide upward mobility for your career. But you would need to stay in contact with the political science filed by networking with your peers and associate yourself with professional associations and organizations in this field. This will help you network with this industry, and it will help you with the latest events and open career options. Associations, organizations, networking, and exhibitions allow you to meet people from the same subject and experience, helping you better understand and better networking. Here are some of the resources that would help you:

1. Pi Sigma Alpha: This is a society for Political science graduates and enthusiasts looking for a career in the Politics and administration fields.
2. American Political Science Association: APSA is the leading professional organization for studying political science and serves more than 11,000 members in more than 100 countries.
3. International Political Science Association: IPSA was found under the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). IPSA is an association that supports the development of political science across the globe.
4. United Nations Public Administration Network: UNPAN is a global network that connects relevant international, regional, subregional, and national institutions and experts worldwide working on effective governance and public administration
5. Western Political Science Association WPSA: This association has more than 1250 political scientists involved in conducting meetings, fostering research, and facilitating public affairs’ discussions.