Skip to main content
Indiana University Online
  • Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    18
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $350.00
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $490.00

Political Science

Graduate Certificate

What you study

The IU Online Graduate Certificate in Political Science provides graduate-level instruction in the field of politics.

Study political philosophy, American politics, comparative politics, public opinion, and research methods.

How you benefit

Learn to:

  • Describe the subfields of political science, the central questions they address, and the methods they typically employ. 
  • Evaluate and critique empirical social science research through literature review and the application of tools and strategies of political analysis. 
  • Interpret, analyze, and trace the influence of major political thinkers and movements that have influenced the development of American democracy. 
  • Isolate and analyze factors that shape the political attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of individuals and groups and map their impacts on political behavior and decision making. 
  • Evaluate and analyze the major institutions of American national politics. 
  • Situate and analyze American political institutions, processes, and behaviors in a comparative perspective that accounts for regional and international differences. 

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU Bloomington, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. 

See courses that are being offered this semester. 

The Graduate Certificate in Political Science is ideal for those who want to teach dual-credit courses and who need to meet Higher Learning Commission dual-credit qualification standards. These standards require teachers wanting to teach dual-credit courses in political science to hold either a master's degree in political science or a master's degree in another discipline (such as education), plus at least 18 credit hours of discipline-specific graduate coursework.

  • If you hold a master's degree in a discipline other than political science, you can meet HLC standards by completing the 18 credit hour Graduate Certificate in Political Science.
  • If you plan to pursue the  IU Online MAT in Political Science, you may apply the 18 credit hours from the Graduate Certificate in Political Science toward the masters degree.

Many online support services are available to assist you as you progress through the program.

Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in Political Science can help prepare you for careers in:  

  • Education 
  • Lobbying 
  • Politics, and policy analysis 
  • NGO management 
  • National security 
  • Public service

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Political Science, you must complete 18 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows: 

  • Core courses (18 credit hours)

To be accepted to this program, you must have:
  1. A bachelor's degree
  2. 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes:  
  • Official transcripts from each undergraduate institution 
  • 250-word personal statement explaining background and reasons for entering the program
Application Dates

Fall semester: Not currently accepting applications for Fall 2023. 

Spring semester: Jan 1

Summer 1 semester: Not currently accepting applications for Summer 2023. 

Summer 2 semester: Not currently accepting applications for Summer 2023. 

Core
POLS-P 570 Introduction to the Study of Politics I 3 Credits
POLS-Y 567 Public Opinion: Approaches and Issues 3 Credits
POLS-Y 580 Research Methods in Political Science 3 Credits
POLS-Y 657 Comparative Politics 3 Credits
POLS-Y 661 American Politics 3 Credits
POLS-Y 675 Political Philosophy 3 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $350.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1050.00
Note:  

-Additional fees will apply.

 

-This program is not eligible for financial aid. 

Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $490.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1470.00

In accordance with Federal Financial Aid requirements, IU has calculated a “Cost of Attendance” for this program based on the most common enrollments from students who are enrolled full time for the academic year. We’re showing you the estimated cost of attendance for the full 2023–24 academic year (fall and spring semesters). Cut these numbers in half to figure out the cost of a single semester. Your actual costs for housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses will vary based on:

• The number of credit hours you take
• Whether you’re an Indiana resident
• Your personal choices
• Your travel habits

Your cost of attendance may differ from these estimates.

Full time Students

Part time Students

Direct Costs:

 

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

$332.44 per credit hour

Non-residents

$491.08 per credit hour

Direct Costs:

 

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

$332.44 per credit hour

Non-residents

$491.08 per credit hour

Indirect Costs:

 

Food & Housing    $10,244

Books & Supplies    $460

Transportation    $2350

Personal Expenses    $2200

Indirect Costs:

 

Food & Housing    $10,244

Books & Supplies    $184

Transportation    $2350

Personal Expenses    $2200

 

If you would like a more detailed estimate of expenses, please use IU's Tuition and Fee Calculator.

IU Tuition & Fee Calculator

Request More Information