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Online Political Science Degree Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Jean Besson, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2014, wearing a suit and tie walking down a city street with a shoulder bag on his right shoulder.

Cost per credit $330

Total courses 40

Term length 8 weeks

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Program Overview Why get an online political science degree?

If civic engagement and contemporary political issues are topics you feel passionate about, Southern New Hampshire University's Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science might be the degree for you. In this program, you'll gain a unique perspective on the relationship between the U.S. political system, public perception and the policies that shape government.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Political system components
  • Policy analysis
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Effective communication
  • Ethical civic engagement
Tanzania Fair, who earned her degree from SNHU in 2020, crossing a city street and carrying a handbag.

Courses & Curriculum Online political science courses built for the modern workforce

The online political science degree program takes a practical approach to politics, analyzing events in real time and applying solutions to local, national and international scenarios. In your courses, you'll explore political questions, tactics and strategies from many perspectives while you develop the critical thinking and communication skills you need to succeed in the political arena.

Degree Courses

Online political science courses

Your curriculum includes 33 credits of political science major courses intended to give you a comprehensive understanding of the field. Additionally, you'll have 12 credits (4 courses) in major electives and 24 credits (8 courses) in free electives to tailor your degree to your interests. Take classes in areas like communication, history, public administration and, of course, political science, or use these credits to pursue valuable experiential-learning and internship opportunities. 

Courses may include:

Course ID: HIS 114
The second half of the United States history survey course covers the period following the Civil War. The economic, political and ideological developments that allowed the United States to attain a position of the world leadership are closely examined. Required for majors in History and Social Studies Education with a concentration in History.
Course ID: PAD 330
Explore the field of public administration through the analysis of key theory and career possibilities. Examine the role of government and regulation in public policy development. Analyze how ethics drives conduct within the field.
Course ID: POL 210
This course offers a broad introduction to the structure and function of the American political system at the national level, including the roles played by the president, Congress, the courts, the bureaucracy, political parties, interest groups and the mass media in the policy- making and electoral processes. This course places special emphasis on how the efforts of the framers of the Constitution to solve what they saw as the political problems of their day continue to shape American national politics in ours.
Course ID: POL 211
This course offers a broad introduction to the study and practice of international relations, including the roles played by states and nations, non-state actors, national interests, power, morality and international law. This course places special emphasis on realism and idealism as alternative approaches to the study and practice of international relations and on their implications for ongoing efforts to construct a peaceful and prosperous global political system in the aftermath of the Cold War.
Course ID: POL 309
Many political issues in the United States, such as education, public safety, environmental protection, and transportation, are first handled and addressed by state and local governments. This course explores the structure, function, and distribution of power between state and local governments and the federal government of the United States. Particular emphasis is placed on the necessary collaboration of state and local governments and their roles as partners with the federal government in effecting improvements in policies and services as well as the exploration of the legal and constitutional relationships between state and local governments.
Course ID: POL 313
This course covers the study of the conceptual foundations of political systems and behavior including the historical contributions of Western political theorists toward critically analyzing contemporary political institutions and ideas. Special emphasis is placed on exploring how the social and cultural contexts in which these theorists lived and worked helped to shape their political ideas.
Course ID: POL 327
This course extends upon the foundational American politics course. Special emphasis is placed on watershed moments in U.S. political history that have shaped policies and practices today. Students will be asked to focus a critical eye toward governing in today's world by assessing the current political climate and current policies in the interest of identifying and applying possible solutions.
Course ID: POL 328
This course is a foundational overview of the court and judicial systems, major laws in United States political history, and the lawmaking and amendment process. While an overview of major laws will be covered in the course, students will be asked to assess the legal system in general terms to recognize patterns in civil liberties, judicial interpretations, and judicial activism. A specific focus on how social movements and public opinion have influenced court decisions will also be included.
Course ID: POL 360
This course examines the development of different political systems including the relationship between factors (culture, economics, geography, etc.) that influence political development and national identity. Students will study key components of what separates political systems from one another, as well as differences within individual political systems and how they are applied by different nations. Special attention will be paid to understanding how democratic nations vary in their political institutions (legislative, judicial, executive) and how these applications influence public policy and how countries are viewed by one another.
Course ID: POL 364
This course is an exploration of globalization and how it relates to political systems, economic systems, technology, culture, and participation/activism in government. Students will be introduced to concepts of war and peace, terrorism, nationalism, etc., and how these issues affect and intersect with policy regarding international relations. Contemporary issues in globalization will be explored and analyzed for efficacy.
Course ID: POL 370
In this course, students will examine applied aspects of research methods and statistical analysis that are commonly utilized in political science research. Through case studies utilizing contemporary issues, students will investigate procedures used to gather and analyze data, provide analysis and conclusions based on social scientific inquiry, and acquire real-world skills required to design and conduct research in the field of political science.
Course ID: POL 491
This capstone course is the culminating experience for the B.A. in Political Science program. The aim of the capstone is to assess students' ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework, rather than introducing new concepts. This course is structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements.

Visit the course catalog to view the full BA in Political Science curriculum.

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Upcoming term starts: March 3, 2025 | May 5, 2025

Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

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After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

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Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online undergraduate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 120-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$330
$990
$39,600
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$231
$693
$27,720

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$9,900 $14,850 $19,800 $24,750 $29,700
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 30 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $29,700

If 45 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $24,750

If 60 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $19,800

If 75 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $14,850

If 90 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $9,900

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online political science degree?

Whether your goals involve running for office or running a nonprofit, earning your political science degree can open doors to an array of opportunities. The skills you develop can set you up for a career in advocacy, government, public policy, public relations, statistical analysis and more. Many political science graduates also enter fields outside of politics and policymaking, such as business or law. 

Occupations

With Southern New Hampshire University's BA in Political Science under your belt, you may be qualified to step into a wide array of roles, including:

Manage the public image of people, businesses, government and nonprofit organizations. You'll interact with the media, craft speeches, organize events and build social media campaigns.

Study consumer preferences and business conditions to assess potential sales of a product. You'll help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

United by a common cause, you'll manage the people and operations necessary to win a candidate an election or pass legislation your organization believes in.

Assist legislators by providing administrative, communication and research support. You'll help create policy drafts, track legislation and conduct research on legislative issues.

Use your knowledge – and charisma – to persuade legislators in support or opposition of bills. From local civic groups to worldwide corporations, lobbyists are used to promote organizations' agendas.

Study the origin, development and operation of political systems. You'll research political ideas and analyze governments, policies and more. This role typically requires at least a master's degree.

6%

Increase in public relations specialist positions through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roles for market research analysts are projected to increase by 13% during the same time period.1

$66,750

Median annual salary for public relations specialists as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Market research analysts made $74,680 in the same timeframe.1 

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you interested in changing the world? Would you like to know more about our nation’s political process and be a part of improving it? If you are interested in a career in government and policy, a political science degree is the credential that can help prepare you for a rewarding career.

You could focus on domestic and international politics, public policy, civil rights or even policy to protect the environment. Or your studies could take you in a completely unexpected direction.

"Political science requires analytic thinking that can be applied to any number of careers, including government, law, nonprofit work, political campaigns, public policy and academia," said Andy Tuholski, PhD, political science adjunct faculty at SNHU.

Political science is the study of government, public policy and all facets of political behavior. A deep understanding of human behavior, the legal system and even media can prepare you for careers like:

  • Politician: Perhaps the most obvious career choice with a BA in Political Science, in this role you could create or support laws at the local, state or national level. Politicians do much more than what we see on television. They may serve their communities in a grassroots fashion or advocate for new laws to support their communities. There are many opportunities to serve as a politician and contribute to governing a locale and its residents.
  • Lawyer: A BA in Political Science is an excellent foundation for a legal career. The bachelor’s degree is grounded in communication skills, analytical reasoning and public affairs, which makes it a great first step in preparation for law school.
  • Education: A bachelor's of political science degree can help prepare you for a rewarding career teaching history, social studies or humanities. Given the strong foundation of the program in courses such as communication and social science, you can develop the versatility you need to succeed as a teacher at the secondary level, or to continue for your master’s degree online, or on campus, or doctoral degree and teach at the post-secondary level. (Note: This degree program does not prepare you to earn teaching licensure or certification.)
  • Lobbyist: If rhetoric is your superpower, a career as a lobbyist is for you. A lobbyist is the ultimate influencer, working to convince decision-makers to make choices and take action on behalf of the groups they represent.
  • Policy analyst: If you like researching the issues and being at the forefront of policies and legislation, a career as a policy analyst could be for you. You may work for a local, state or federal government office or for a private corporation, putting your research skills to work to help leadership make key decisions.
  • Political consultant: Perhaps running for office isn’t for you. There is still a key role that you can play as a strategist, designing campaigns for candidates. You may make decisions on staffing, media coverage and communications. You may even write speeches for your candidate.

Whichever career path you ultimately choose, with a BA in Political Science, you can contribute to changing the world.

Not only can you earn an online political science degree, you can do so at your own pace. Even better, you can earn that BA in political science, or any number of other online degree options, from a highly regarded, fully accredited university.

A bachelor's in political science offers an overview of politics and political parties plus instruction on the legal, financial and media-related elements of the political field. All of this, plus a foundation in general education courses that includes writing, history and statistics, can be done in an exclusively online format. This allows you to complete your degree at your pace and on your schedule.

With Southern New Hampshire University, you can earn credit for what you already know. Our admission counselors and academic advisors can help you receive transfer credit for courses already completed, as well as possible credit for work and life experience.

You'll also have 12 major elective credits as part of the degree program. You can use these credits for a wide range of courses in areas like communication, sociology and criminal justice. You can also choose to apply some of your elective credits toward experiential-learning opportunities or a hands-on internship right where you live.

The beauty of a bachelor of political science degree is that you study a little bit of everything. The degree is grounded in general education courses, including instruction in statistics, writing, sociology and history. From there, you'll study courses in your major, which usually include political theory, analysis and research, international relations and government and politics.

With Southern New Hampshire University, you'll also have 12 credits of major electives to use toward specializing in the areas that most interest you. You may wish to focus on communication, or perhaps criminal justice or public administration. You may also wish to apply some of your major electives to an experiential-learning opportunity or a hands-on internship that you can complete right where you live.

In addition, the BA in Political Science program at SNHU provides you with 24 free elective credits that you can use to pursue other academic interests or perhaps minor in an area like psychology or project management. Or, if you have a significant number of transfer credits, you can apply them as free electives and be well on your way to earning your bachelor's degree.

No matter which area you choose as your focus, a political science degree can help prepare you for a rich and rewarding career that lets you put your writing, research and analytical thinking skills to work for the greater good.

Either degree can help you reach your goals. The key difference between a BA or BS in political science has to do with the focus. If you are more interested in political theory, history and philosophy, a BA might be best for you. If you prefer to focus on economics, math and quantitative methods of research and analysis, then you might wish to consider a BS.

Either way, you could come away with a solid overview of politics in America and abroad, including what it means to run a campaign and manage the financial, legislative and justice-related aspects of public policy.

With Southern New Hampshire University, our BA in Political Science offers opportunities to learn campaign fundraising and finance as well as research methods. You may take courses in statistics and global politics, and every student completes a capstone course. This course is structured to allow you to synthesize all of your knowledge and skills and may result in material for your professional portfolio.

We also offer experiential learning opportunities and an internship as part of your free electives. These courses will provide hands-on, professional learning opportunities. You may also be able to receive credit for prior work or life experiences. There are many ways to customize your degree program to work best for you.

A political science degree is grounded in many vital and transferable skills. Oral and written communication, research and analytical thinking can all help you excel in the career of your choice.

"At its core, political science is the search for explanations about the things we hear, see, and do in the political world every single day," said Rob Mellen Jr., PhD, political science faculty at SNHU. "Whether you seek a career in politics, civil service, the law, teaching or business, developing a strong ability to critically examine the world around you will help you achieve your goals.”

With a bachelor's in political science, you will be prepared for careers like:

  • Legislative assistant, where you research, draft and monitor legislation. You may advise policy-makers and make recommendations pertaining to new laws.
  • Public relations specialist, where your role will involve creating and maintaining a public image for the candidate, client or organization you represent. You may write press releases and speeches. You may be a spokesperson with the press.
  • Marketing research analyst, where you may gather and analyze data to support the client, candidate or organization for whom you work. You can become an expert on your particular market and understand who may vote for a particular candidate and why.
  • Political speechwriter, where your role could be to research and write speeches for politicians and political candidates. Many senior-level officials have full-time speechwriters on staff to provide this expert-level service.
  • Political consultant, where you may help manage a campaign, design marketing and public relations efforts for political candidates, or conduct market research.

A bachelor’s degree in political science is also excellent preparation for a legal career.

With a median annual salary of $132,350 per year in 2023, career prospects for political scientists are promising, but you'll likely need at least a master's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1

Employment for political scientists is predicted to grow 7% from 2022 through 2032.1 While there will be strong competition in this career field, the opportunities to use your political science degree are many.

You can put your bachelor's degree to use in one of these exciting careers:

  • Political strategist. Support a candidate by hiring staff, designing a social media campaign or writing speeches.
  • Policy analyst. Write or recommend policy. You may advise high-level government officials or organizational leadership. You'd likely use research and analytical skills to make recommendations for laws.
  • Speechwriter. Use your knowledge of government to write speeches for politicians, political candidates, government officials or other people in positions of leadership.

With every year that goes by, national interest in politics increases. More than ever, residents across the country and the world are interested in being a part of the political process. Becoming an expert in politics positions you to be at the forefront of this new national interest.

Thanks to the wide-ranging courses you can take to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, you will be ready for a career in many areas, such as law, economics, education, sociology and urban planning. No matter which area you choose, you can be ready to help change the world.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm (viewed May 15, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm (viewed May 15, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/political-scientists.htm (viewed May 15, 2024)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.