Program Overview
Get to Know Our 100% Online Political Science Bachelor's Degree
Transform your passion into your profession with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from A-State Online. This versatile degree gives you the broad-based knowledge and state-of-the-art skill set to pursue a career in public service, diplomacy, law and so much more.
$269
Per Credit Hour
Up to 90
Transfer Credits
120
Credit Hours
$269
Per Credit Hour
Up to 90
Transfer Credits
120
Credit Hours
A bachelor's degree in political science enables you to make a living while making a difference in the world. With so many pressing issues, such as economic inequities, racial injustice, healthcare accessibility, and climate change, political awareness is at an all-time high. This comprehensive degree will hone your knowledge of political processes and analyses, law, policy, research and advocacy.
Gain both a global perspective and a deeper understanding of complex domestic issues by comparing and contrasting America's political theories and systems to countries around the world. In addition to strengthening your knowledge of the U.S. constitution, civil liberties and law, a political science degree is a great foundation for earning a Master of Public Administration or attending law school.
Interested in pursuing a double major? Pair your online B.A. in Political Science with other select A-State Online programs, including our B.A. in Communication Studies, B.A. in Criminology, B.A. in Sociology or B.S. in Business Administration.
Essential Skills for Any Profession
By mastering a mix of hard and soft skills, from legal writing and data analytics to critical thinking and persuasive communications, political science graduates bring a well-rounded background to the workplace.
In-Demand Skills:
Gain the knowledge and industry-relevant skills employers seek:
- Critical thinking
- Effective communications
- Negotiation
- Political analysis
- Relationship-building
Top Careers:
Prepare for a broad range of professional roles, including:
- Campaign Manager
- Lobbyist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Paralegal
- Recruiter
Projected Job Growth:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in political science occupations to grow 6.2% from 2019 to 2029, resulting in about 316,344 new jobs nationwide.
Also available:
You may be closer to graduation than you think!
A-State-approved credit for prior learning recognizes your previous accomplishments, reducing your tuition costs and time to graduation.
Tuition
Financial Aid Is Available to Those Who Qualify
A-State's online programs are affordable and convenient. You may also qualify for financial aid. Learn more.
The B.A. in Political Science program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.
Transfer your credits for lower tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
| Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
| $229.00 | $40.00 | $269.00 | $687.00 | $120.00 | $807.00 |
Calendar
Set a Calendar Reminder for These Key Deadlines
Our B.A. in Political Science is a flexible online program featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
| Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2023 | 7 wk | 03/06/2023 | 04/28/2023 | 02/20/2023 | 02/24/2023 | 03/02/2023 | 03/03/2023 | 04/15/2023 |
| Summer 2023 | 5 wk | 05/30/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 05/15/2023 | 05/19/2023 | 05/25/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 06/19/2023 |
| 5 wk | 07/03/2023 | 08/04/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/29/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 07/21/2023 | |
| Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/07/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
| 7 wk | 10/16/2023 | 12/08/2023 | 10/02/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 10/12/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 11/17/2023 |
Admissions
Preview the Admission Requirements for the Online Political Science Degree
A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the B.A. in Political Science online program should review and follow the requirements for admission below.
There are several paths to admittance at A-State:
- If you have 13 or more transferrable college credit hours, you would be admitted if you have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 on previous college coursework
If you have 0-12 transferrable college credit hours and have been out of high school for five years or more, you would be admitted if you:
- Have a high school diploma or state-approved equivalent
- Have completed 12 or fewer earned college hours
- Have never enrolled as a student at A-State
Note: If you're admitted as a non-traditional first-time freshman, you may be required to successfully complete a predesignated curriculum of 12 hours (Certificate or Non-Degree). Upon successful completion, you will be transitioned to a degree seeking program.
- If you have 0-12 transferrable college credit hours and have been in high school within the last 5 years, you would be admitted if you have one of the following:
- 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average (or GED test score equivalent), OR
- 19 minimum ACT super score or minimum 990 combined SAT super score, OR
- Class rank in the top 20% of your graduating class
Submitting your application takes three easy steps: filling out the application, submitting your documents and paying the application fee.
- When completing the online application, select 100% online student and then complete all the steps on the online application.
- Pay $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
- Submit all official college transcripts.
- Submit official high school transcripts (if applicable).
- Submit official ACT/ SAT test scores (if applicable).
Note: If you have 0-12 transferrable college hours, test scores will still need to be submitted for reporting purposes to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE); however, they are not needed for an admission decision. Accuplacer test scores are an acceptable alternative to ACT/SAT scores.
If you have any questions along the way, call us at 866-621-8096 866-621-8096, and we'll be happy to help answer questions.
Seniors at Arkansas State University may register for graduate credit if they meet the following criteria:
- Must be within 12 semester hours of completion of the bachelor's degree at A-State in the semester in which the dual enrollment is to occur
- Met the GPA requirements for unconditional admission to the Graduate School
- Obtain approval of the faculty advisor, the course professor and the graduate dean
Seniors may then enroll in a maximum of 12 hours of graduate work, provided the total undergraduate and graduate hours do not exceed 15 semester hours. A course used toward an undergraduate degree cannot be counted or used later for graduate credit, except in the case of enrollment in an approved Accelerated Master's Program. Students will receive graduate credit only if the requirements for the bachelor's degree have been met by the end of the term and all requirements for admission to the Graduate School are met.
Enrollment under these conditions is limited to one term. Graduate tuition will be charged for all graduate courses.
Other exceptional undergraduate students who have attained senior status but are not in their last 12 hours and who wish to enroll in graduate school will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Information
Students who have attended any other institution of higher education must meet the following requirements.
For students who have:
- Fewer than 12 college hours: Submit official final high school transcript and official test scores.
- 13 - 23 college hours: Have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average on cumulative transcripts and official test scores.
- 24 or more college hours: Have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average on cumulative transcripts.
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
What You'll Learn in Your Online Political Science Courses
To earn your Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, you need to complete 120 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 38 credit hours of general education courses and 48 credit hours of major courses. Also included is 34 credit hours of elective courses, which includes a foreign language requirement of up to 12 hours dependent upon transferring credits. Transferring previously earned credit hours may help you finish faster, and those transfer credit hours will be evaluated during the admission process.
These courses must be taken to complete your degree.
POSC 2103: Introduction to US Government
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The constitution, government, and politics of the United States.
POSC 3003: Introduction to Political Analysis
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the discipline of political science, its subfields, and to the use of the social scientific method and logical inquiry.
POSC 3123: American Constitutional Law
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Constitutional theories as expounded in decisions of the Supreme Court since 1789. Questions such as the nature of law and political theories underlying Supreme Court decisions will be investigated.
POSC 3153: American Presidency
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
U.S. presidency and national executive processes in the American political system.
POSC 3173: Civil Liberties, Rights, and the Constitution
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Judicial and statutory interpretations of the fundamental liberties contained in the U.S. Constitution.
POSC 3183: Criminal Law and the Constitution
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An examination of state and federal police powers and how they are regulated by the Constitution and statutes.
POSC 3203: Introduction to Comparative Politics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Surveys the field of comparative politics, with case studies of selected countries.
POSC 3223: European Political Systems
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A comparative analysis of major European political systems in terms of their pressure groups, political parties, and policy formation processes.
POSC 3303: Introduction to International Politics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Various approaches to the study of international politics.
POSC 3423: American Political Theory
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An analytical study of American political theories from the pre-colonial era to the present and their impact upon our political institutions.
POSC 3433: Political Ideologies
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Contemporary political ideas and movements, including liberalism, conservatism, anarchism, fascism, communism, and nationalism.
POSC 3453: Modern Political Theory
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Writings of modern political philosophers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Rousseau.
POSC 3503: Principles of Public Administration
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Survey of the field of public administration and its problems.
POSC 4223: Middle Eastern Political Systems
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Major Middle Eastern political systems, with concentration on their common characteristics and major differences.
Students must take 34 credit hours of electives to satisfy the 120 credit hours required for this program and may include up to 12 hours of a foreign language to satisfy the foreign language requirement. Courses may be chosen with the assistance of an advisor and per your degree plan. Electives can come from any courses offered so long as prerequisites are met.
Students must take the following courses.
First-year course - Students must take the following Making Connections online course. If you transfer in more than 12 credit hours, you will not be required to take the Making Connections course. You may replace that 3-hour course with a 3-hour elective course.
UC 1013: Making Connections
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Required course for all first semester freshmen. Course content is centered around the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful ASU student, including academic performance, problem solving, critical thinking, self-management and group building skills, university policies and other relevant issues.
Departmental Option Course Requirement:
This 3-hour course for the degree plan is chosen by the department, not the individual student.
PHIL 1103: Introduction to Philosophy
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 3
Basic problems of philosophy based upon readings in the works of selected leading philosophers. A prerequisite for upper level philosophy. Fall, Spring.
Communication Requirement:
Students must complete 6 credit hours of the following courses.
ENG 1003: Composition I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study and practice of fundamentals of written communication, including principles of grammar, punctuation, spelling, organization, and careful analytical reading. Prerequisite, with grade of C or better, for ENG 1013.
ENG 1013: Composition II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Continues the practice of ENG 1003 to develop further the skills learned in that course. Based on reading and discussion of various types of writing, the students’ essays will provide practice in different kinds of rhetorical development, including research and documentation.
Mathematics Requirement:
Students must complete 3 credit hours of either College Algebra or any higher-level mathematics course for which College Algebra is a prerequisite.
MATH 1023: College Algebra
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, and miscellaneous topics. No credit given if taken following MATH 1054.
MATH 1043: Quantitative Reasoning
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Quantitative Reasoning Quantitative reasoning as the approach to understanding relationships using mathematical and algebraic methodologies. Contemporary topics will be used to identify, analyze, generalize, and communicate quantitative relationships.
Arts and Humanities Requirement:
Students must complete 6 credit hours of Arts and Humanities courses.
ENG 2003: Introduction to World Literature I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from early civilizations through the Renaissance.
ENG 2013: Introduction to World Literature II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to the analysis and interpretation of literary works from several historical periods ranging from the Renaissance to the present.
MUS 2503: Fine Arts – Music
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to music for the listener who has had no formal musical training or experience. A study of musical styles and composers and their cultural and historical contexts.
Social Sciences Requirement:
Students must complete 9 credit hours of Social Sciences courses. At least one course must be selected from POSC 2103, SOC 2213 or HIST 2773.
POSC 2103: Introduction to US Government
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The constitution, government, and politics of the United States.
SOC 2213: Principles of Sociology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Human society and social behavior.
PSY 2013: Introduction to Psychology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of the important scientific, principles of individual human behavior from biological, cognitive, social, and behavioral perspectives.
Life Science Requirement:
Students must complete 4 credit hours of Life Science courses, including one course and one lab.
BIO 1003: Biological Science
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The major characteristics and processes of life emphasizing the human organism. Promotes understanding of diversity and unity among living organisms with focus on ecological interactions and responsibilities of people within their social and natural environment. Lecture three hours per week. Special course fees may apply. Must be taken with BIO 1001.
BIO 1001: Biological Science Lab
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Laboratory, must be taken with BIO 1003. There will be a fee when purchasing the LabKit. Please visit the tuition and fees page for pricing.
Physical Sciences Requirement:
Students must complete 4 credit hours of Physical Science courses, including one course and one lab.
CHEM 1043: Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry I
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to selected fundamental concepts including dimensional analysis, mole concept, atomic and molecular structure, nomenclature, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, intermolecular interactions, gases, mixtures, kinetics, equilibrium and acid base chemistry. Fall, Summer.
CHEM 1041: Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry Lab
Duration: Varies | Credit Hours: 1
Special course fees apply. Prerequisite or co-requisite of CHEM 1043. Fall, Summer.
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