15 Best Online Masters in Political Science Degree Programs

Master’s in Government Degree

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university that was founded in 1636 and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is considered one of the top colleges in the United States by a number of different metrics.

Harvard has a student enrollment of 22,000, most of whom are postgraduate students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7 to 1, and 72% of students receive some form of financial aid. The Harvard Crimson athletic teams compete in 42 different Division I sports, the most of any other Division I NCAA school in the United States.

Harvard’s Extension School offers a Master’s in Government Degree for students who are looking to earn a diploma with a globally recognized pedigree. Students who are accepted will enter into a network of motivated peers who will support each other throughout their respective careers. The desirability of a Harvard degree makes it one of the more difficult online Political Science programs to get into.

The degree requires the completion of 12 courses, three of which are taken on campus. There is a wide range of focus areas available for students, so all students should be able to find a program that emphasizes their particular area of interest. The program culminates in a thesis or capstone, where students will work closely with a faculty member to apply their knowledge to a practical purpose.

Master of Arts in Government

Johns Hopkins University is a nationally renowned University for a wide range of academic research. The university was founded in 1876 and is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school was named after the abolitionist Johns Hopkins.

The student population of JHU is 26,402, the majority of whom are postgraduates. The university is comprised of nine academic divisions on four different campuses: Baltimore, Washington D.C., Montgomery County, Maryland, as well as facilities in China and Italy.

Johns Hopkins University offers a Master of Arts in Government which provides students with a curriculum that combines theory and practice of government, politics, and policy-making. Johns Hopkins is located in and around the Washington D.C. area, so it graduates a number of students who will go on to work in the White House or Pentagon.

The degree requires the completion of 12 different courses, all of which can be completed online. The program offers three different specializations: Democracy Studies and Governance, Political Communication, and Security Studies.

Master of Science in Political Science

Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university that was founded in 1971 and is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The university enrolls more than 15,000 students who study on campus and over 94,000 students who are taking online courses. The school places an emphasis on Christian values in their courses, requiring undergraduate students to take three Bible-study classes.

The school is made up of 17 different colleges, including the Liberty University School of Law, whose Center for Law and Government offers programs and resources for political science majors. The school is represented in Division I NCAA by the Liberty Flames, whose men’s basketball team won their first March Madness game this year in 2019. The student-to-teacher ratio at Liberty is 18 to 1.

Liberty offers a Master of Science in Political Science which can be completed entirely online in under two years. They also offer similar degree programs such as Master of Arts in Public Administration and Master of Arts in Public Policy for prospective students to consider.

The degree requires the completion of 36 credit hours, which are offered 100% online in 8-week courses. The program is also highly flexible with transfer credits, allowing students to transfer a maximum of 18 credit hours from other institutions, allowing them to cut their expected degree completion time in half.

Master of Arts in Diplomacy

Norwich University is a private university known as The Military College of Vermont and was founded in 1819 in Norwich, Vermont. It is recognized by the United States Department of Defense as the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

Over 3,400 students are enrolled at Norwich University, about a third of whom are postgraduate students. The student-to-faculty ratio at Norwich is 13 to 1, and 100% of students receive some form of financial aid. The Norwich Cadets compete in 18 different sports in the NCAA Division III.

Norwich University offers a Master of Arts in Diplomacy which is designed to help countries cooperate and promote peaceful resolution throughout the globe. As a military school, Norwich offers a practical perspective on international relations with a deep understanding of why conflict resolution is an essential skill for our next generation.

They offer concentrations in Cyber Diplomacy, International Terrorism, International Commerce, and International Conflict Management. These programs require students to attend campus for 1 week in order to acquaint yourself with peers and professors, but the rest of the program can be completed online.

MPA in Government and Policy

Grand Canyon University is a private, non-profit, Christian university that was founded in 1949, and is located in Phoenix, Arizona. The university enrolls about 20,500 students who take on-campus courses, as well as over 70,000 students who take online courses, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1.

The university is made up of nine different colleges, including their College of Humanities and Social Sciences which offers degree programs in the political science field. The Grand Canyon Antelopes compete in NCAA Division I athletic contests.

Grand Canyon University offers an MPA in Government and Policy that prepares students to address modern problems with domestic and foreign policy by focusing on leadership, communication, and capital development skills. As a Master’s of Public Administration degree, you will earn a degree that prepares you for managerial roles in a governmental institution.

The program requires the completion of 38 credits which are divided between 4 and 2 credit courses. The degree program accommodates working professionals by offering classes both online and in the evening.

Online Master’s in Political Management

George Washington University is a private university that was founded in 1821 and is located in Washington D.C. The university is divided into 14 different schools, and their Graduate School of Political Management offers online programs in the field of political science. The university’s close proximity to Washington D.C. allows politics students access to some of the most important people and events in the American political system.

There are approximately 11,000 undergraduate students, and 15,000 postgraduate students enrolled at George Washington, and there is a student-to-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. The George Washington Colonials compete in the NCAA Division I’s Atlantic 10 Conference.

George Washington University offers an Online Master’s in Political Management that gives students knowledge of the mechanics behind the American political system. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of topics such as campaign management, lobbying, polling and strategic research techniques, and political fundraising.

The degree can be specialized in three separate “clusters”: Electoral Politics, Advocacy Politics, and Applied Proficiencies. The program embraces all political ideologies in order to offer a bi-partisan education, and encourage students of all different backgrounds. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours, all of which can be completed in an online format.

Online Political Science Master’s Degree

The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public university that was founded in 1969 and is located in Springfield, Illinois.

There are 5,431 students enrolled at UIS, about 2,000 of whom are postgraduate students, and the school maintains a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school offers 27 undergraduate degree programs and 21 postgraduate programs for students to choose from.

The school is well known for its library, the Brookens Library, which has a collection of almost 800,000 books and periodicals.

The school’s athletic teams are known as the Prairie Stars, and they compete in NCAA Division II.

The University of Illinois offers an Online Political Science Master’s Degree which allows students to complete 100% of their coursework online. The program is designed for students who want to go on to pursue a career in politics or education or go on to earn a doctoral degree in a related field.

The program offers four different areas of emphasis which are American National and State Politics, Comparative Politics/International Relations, Political Theory, and Public Law.

Masters in Government

Regent University is a private Christian research university that was established in 1977 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Regent has been recognized by the US News & World Report, as well as other outlets, as providing some of the best online educational experiences in the nation. The university offers over 70 different degree programs at all levels of academia.

There are 9,488 students enrolled at Regent, about half of whom are undergraduates, and the University has a 42 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Their athletic teams, the Regent Royals, compete in the NCCAA Division I South Region.

Regent University saw more than 150 of its graduates hired by the federal government during the George W. Bush presidency, many of whom served in the Bush administration. The university continues to graduate students who find employment in politics and government.

Regent University’s Robertson School of Government offers a Masters in Government which can be completed entirely online. The program requires the completion of 30-33 credit hours, which are completed through 8-week course sessions.

Online students should be aware that regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state, they will receive the same affordable tuition rate for their degree.

Perhaps the greatest benefit to earning your Masters in Government from Regent University is their alumni associations, as many Regent graduates have gone on to have successful careers in government.

Master of Science in International Policy Management

Kennesaw State University is a public university that was established in 1963 and has two main campuses located in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia. Kennesaw State is part of the University System of Georgia, which offers great tuition rates for in-state students. The university is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution. The Kennesaw Owls compete in the Big South Conference of the NCAA Division I.

Kennesaw State is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country, with more than 35,000 students, though the university maintains a 21 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. With great in-state tuition rates and 91% of students receiving financial aid, Kennesaw is a great value choice for your Masters in the field of Political Science.

Kennesaw State University’s School of Government and International Affairs offers an online Master of Science in International Policy Management. The program is designed to prepare students for leading roles in international affairs, with an understanding of the regulatory environment in which corporations function, and the nuances of international negotiations.

The program is a 33 semester-hour course of study, which utilizes a cohort-based online style of course delivery, where students will interact with their peers in an online format. Courses are usually offered in a predetermined sequence, and students can finish the program in under 2 years.

Master of Arts in Political Science

The University of West Florida is a public, space grant university that was founded in 1963 and is located in Pensacola, Florida. The university is a comprehensive research university that is a member of the State University System of Florida.

There are approximately 13,000 students enrolled at West Florida, about 10,000 of whom are undergraduates, and the university maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1. The University of West Florida Argonauts compete in the Gulf South Conference of NCAA Division II.

West Florida offers highly competitive tuition rates for in-state students, regardless of whether they take classes online or on campus, and with 90% of students receiving financial aid, the university is an affordable option for a Master’s degree in the field of political science.

The University of West Florida’s Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government offers an online Master of Arts in Political Science which has a curriculum designed around international relations, comparative politics, and public policy. Students can choose to specialize in Political Science or Security and Diplomacy.

The program requires the completion of 33 credit hours, 18 of which will come from the core curriculum, and 6 of which can come from electives outside political science. Students can choose between a thesis or a non-thesis option which involves passing a written and oral exam.

The online format is offered in a synchronous course delivery program, which means that students must attend live lectures at the scheduled course time on the University’s online video conferencing system for courses. This program is therefore designed for students with flexible schedules, though their physical location does not matter.

Master of Arts in Political Science

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a public university that was founded in 1879 and is located in Huntsville, Texas. SHSU is a member of the Texas State University system and offers great tuition rates for students located in Texas, regardless of whether they take their classes online or on campus.

The university has an enrollment of over 20,000, and still maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1. Comprised of eight different colleges, SHSU offers a wide range of degree programs, with over 80 undergraduate degrees, 59 master’s degrees, 8 doctoral degrees, and more than 20 online degree programs. Their athletic teams are called the Bearkats and they play in the NCAA Division I.

SHSU offers a Master of Arts in Political Science that is designed for individuals who are looking to advance their professional or academic career. Students choose from two different degree plans, a thesis and a non-thesis option.

The thesis option requires the completion of 30 hours of coursework and defense of a written thesis that is overseen by an advisor. The non-thesis option requires the completion of 36 credit hours and comprehensive written exams.

Their department also offers an 18-hour certificate program for students with other master’s degrees who want to earn the professional credentialing requirements for a related professional position.

Master of Arts in Political Science

Virginia Tech is a public, land grant university that was founded in 1872 and is located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The university is renowned for its research facilities and is consistently ranked among top research universities with a research portfolio of $522 million.

VT currently has 34,440 students enrolled, 27,193 of whom are undergraduates, though the school still maintains a 14 to 1 faculty-to-teacher ratio. Virginia Tech also offers an ROTC program and is designated as one of six senior military colleges in the United States. The Virginia Tech Hokies compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I.

Virginia Tech offers a Master of Arts in Political Science that was first offered in 1969 and is available in both online and on-campus formats. The online degree is identical in curriculum, requirements, and workload to the on-campus program. Virginia Tech’s virtual campus is called VTOnline and gives students access to all of the university’s support services.

The degree requires the completion of 30 credit hours, as well as the completion of a written thesis and thesis defense. Online courses are offered in an asynchronous format where students can attend lectures and complete classwork wherever and whenever it is most convenient for them.

Political Science Master’s Degree

The University of Nebraska Omaha is a public research university that was founded in 1908 and is located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school was founded by the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The university is broken up into 6 different colleges, with over 60 facilities spread over 3 campuses.

UNO’s student population is 15,731, about 12,500 of which are undergraduate students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. The school offers great tuition rates to Nebraska residents, regardless of whether they take their classes online or on campus. The University of Nebraska Omaha’s College of Arts and Sciences offers degrees in the field of political science.

The University of Nebraska Omaha offers a Political Science Master’s Degree in both on campus and online formats. The online program offers the same faculty and courses as its on-campus counterpart and is meant to provide students with a holistic understanding of political science with interdisciplinary curricula.

Students can choose to specialize their degree in International Affairs or can add a graduate certificate in Intelligence and National Security or Global Information Operations to augment their master’s diploma. Students can also choose from a thesis or non-thesis track, though most students select the non-thesis track for greater schedule flexibility.

Master of Arts in Political Science

Sul Ross State University is a public university that was founded in 1917 and is located in Alpine, Texas. The university is comprised of one main campus and four branch campuses. The university is broken down into four colleges: Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Graduate Studies, and Education and Professional Studies.

There are 2,946 students enrolled at Sul Ross State, about 2,300 of whom are undergraduates. Their athletics teams are called the Lobos, and they compete in the American Southwest Conference of NCAA Division III.

Sul Ross State offers a Master of Arts in Political Science that is designed for students who are looking to go on to careers in education or government, or who will go on to earn a PhD in a related area. The online program is designed to accommodate working professionals who would like to earn a master’s degree to advance in their field.

The courses can be taken entirely online, though students will have the option of taking some courses on evenings and weekends if they choose. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach, with students required to take 9 to 18 credit hours outside in a related discipline.

Master of Arts in Public History

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university that was founded in 1932 and is located between Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. Southern New Hampshire University is one of the fastest growing universities in the United States, due to their investment into their online offerings.

There are currently 3,913 students who take classes on campus, and 87,042 students who take classes online. The university is broken down into six different colleges and schools. Their College of Online and Continuing Education offers master’s degree programs in fields related to political science.

Southern New Hampshire offers a Master of Arts in Public History degree which is offered in an online format. Students will engage with political science concepts through the lens of historical texts and events. The program is designed to offer ultimate flexibility, as it does not require applicants to take the GMAT or GRE, has asynchronous class scheduling, and has affordable tuition rates.

The degree requires students to complete 33 credit hours. Students generally take two courses per 10-week term and can complete the program in as few as 15 months.