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Course Delivery: 100% Online
Total Credits: 120
In-State Tuition Per Credit: $257.23
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit: $378.10
Cost of attendance may vary by campus. View the total cost calculator
Degree Overview
As a student in the B.S. in Political Science, you’ll take courses covering federal and state politics, political philosophy, public opinion, and political participation. When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to pursue a range of careers that value logical analysis, research, and writing skills.
You’ll benefit from a career-focused program ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. You’ll graduate with an Indiana University degree respected by employers worldwide—and you can work on yours anytime and anywhere. Plus, you’ll enjoy personalized support services throughout your academic journey.
And the benefits start long before graduation. More than half of IU Online students advance in their careers before they complete their degree.
To apply to this program:
- Application for admission
- High school transcript or equivalent (applicants with fewer than 12 credit hours)
- Additional materials (international applicants)
Application Deadlines
This program has rolling admissions. Application review will begin upon receipt of all required application materials.
Your IU Online B.S. in Political Science prepares you for such careers as:
- Political scientist
- Legal assistant
- Community organizer
- Social activist
- Non-profit administrator
- Government executive
- Legislator
- News analyst
- Court reporter
To graduate with the B.S. in Political Science, you must complete 120 credit hours. A minimum of 36 credit hours must be taken at the 300 level or above, with at least 18 in the major.
Requirements are broken down as follows:
- General education courses (30 credit hours)
- Political science core courses (15 credit hours)
- Political science advanced core courses (21 credit hours)
- General elective courses (as needed to total 120 credit hours)
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS-Y 205 | Analyzing Politics | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 490 | Senior Seminar | 3 Credits |
American Politics
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS-Y 303 | Policy Making in the United States | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 304 | Constitutional Law | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 305 | Constitutional Rights and Liberties | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 306 | State Politics in the US | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 308 | Urban Politics | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 316 | Public Opinion and Political Participation | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 318 | The American Presidency | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 319 | The United States Congress | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 320 | Judicial Politics | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 324 | Gender and Politics | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 325 | African-American Politics | 3 Credits |
Comparative Politics/International Relations
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS-Y 338 | African Politics | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 340 | East European Politics | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 345 | Comparative Revolutions | 3 Credits |
| POLS-346 | Politics in the Developing World | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 380 | Selected Topics in Democratic Government (Topics vary) | 3 Credits |
Political Theory
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLS-Y 212 | Making Democracy Work | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 381 | Classical Political Thought | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 382 | Modern Political Thought | 3 Credits |
| POLS-Y 384 | Developments in American Political Thought | 3 Credits |
Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.
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