-
SAMPLE COURSES
Communication and Composition, American Government and Politics, Introduction to Political Theory
-
COMMON MAJORS
Political Science, American Government, Criminal Justice
-
POTENTIAL JOBS
Administrative services manager, substitute teacher, clerk stenographer
-
AVERAGE INCOME
$86,110 for administrative services managers, $24,900 for substitute teachers, and $49,500 for clerk stenographers
-
EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
From 2014-2024: 8% increase for administrative services managers, 6% increase for substitute teachers, and 2% increase for clerk stenographers
Online Political Science Degree
If you have a passion for public service and a deep desire to improve our government, a career in political science may be for you. This guide provides an overview of the coursework associated with a political science degree and the career paths available to graduates. Those interested in earning a bachelor’s political science degree, or a even a traditional or online political science master’s degree, should note that the field is expected to shrink slightly — by two percent — through 2024. Online political science degree holders will face increasing competition for jobs in the field.
If, however, you’re intellectually curious, passionate, and highly analytical, you could thrive in a related career after you earn a political science degree online. Political scientists must also possess strong writing and communication skills, since they spend a lot of their time drafting reports, and should be talented critical thinkers.
Jump to a Section
Online Political Science Degree Overview
Degree | Avg Degree Cost | Avg Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Associate | $8,358 | 17.1% | 2 years | $22,880 | $36,960 | 9.1% |
Bachelor's | $16,464 | 9.58% | 4 years | $48,651 | $61,785 | 6% |
Master's | $16,300 | 17.1% | 2 years | $52,728 | $75,000 | 5.1% |
Political scientists must, at minimum, hold a traditional or online bachelor’s in political science. Most go on to also earn an online political science master’s or even a PhD. Alternatively, they may earn advanced degrees in a related field, like public administration or public policy. Generally, an advanced political science degree is necessary in order to advance in careers and to be published in the field.
Online Political Science Degrees
Online Associate’s Degree in Political Science
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science
-
SAMPLE COURSES
Comparative Politics, Basic Statistics, Sex, Gender, and Culture
-
COMMON MAJORS
Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy
-
POTENTIAL JOBS
Market research analyst, high school teacher
-
AVERAGE INCOME
$62,150 for market research analysts and $57,200 for high school teachers
-
EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
From 2014-2024: 19% increase for market research analysts and 6% increase for high school teachers
Online Master’s Degree in Political Science
-
SAMPLE COURSES
Recent Continental Political Thought, Issues in Political Theory, Legislative Behavior and Institutions
-
COMMON MAJORS
Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy
-
POTENTIAL JOBS
Survey researcher, economist, urban planner
-
AVERAGE INCOME
$53,920 for survey researchers, $99,180 for economists, and $68,220 for urban planners
-
EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
From 2014-2024: 12% increase for survey researchers, 6% increase for economists, and 6% increase for urban planners
Online Doctorate Degree in Political Science
-
SAMPLE COURSES
History of Political Theory, Research & Writing, Quantitative Analysis
-
COMMON MAJORS
DBA and PhD
-
POTENTIAL JOBS
Political scientist and college professor
-
AVERAGE INCOME
$99,730 for political scientists and $72,470 for college professors
-
EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
From 2014-2024: 2% decline for political scientists and 13% increase for college professors
Online Political Science Find Accredited Degrees
Find Schools for Political Science
Explore accredited online colleges with our comprehensive database of online programs. Sort the results based on criteria like degree level and location.
Start Your SearchOnline Political Science Choose Your Career
Average Political Science Salaries
Administrative Services Managers
Growth Rate 2014-2024 | Number of Jobs: 2014 | Degree | Certifications |
---|---|---|---|
8% | 287,300 | Bachelor's | N/A |
An administrative service manager is in charge of making sure an organization runs smoothly by managing all supportive services. Common duties include managing records and databases, buying and distributing supplies, and monitoring facilities to make sure they’re safe and up to code. An online political science degree or related bachelor’s degree is typically sufficient to enter this career, though some can enter with an associate degree and related work experience. Successful administrative services managers possess strong leadership and organizational skills, important when managing a team.
Political Scientists
Growth Rate 2014-2024 | Number of Jobs: 2014 | Degree | Certifications |
---|---|---|---|
-2% | 6,200 | Masters | CPS Certified Political Scientist |
Though it’s an engaging career, the demand for political scientists is decreasing in the job market, making it potentially difficult to find work. However, mastering the skills needed in this position can feed into other careers. Political scientists use both the knowledge gained while earning a political science degree and their analytical skills to study how political systems form and work. They research both foreign and domestic political trends, collect and analyze data, and publish research results and political forecasts. A political scientist must be comfortable working with both words and numbers, since analyzing data and statistics — and then writing about findings — is a big part of the job.