• Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    18
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $320.00
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $450.00

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. 

Download a printable PDF summary of all our graduate programs for teachers.

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: Aug 1

Spring semester: Jan 1

Summer 1 semester: May 1

Summer 2 semester: Jun 15

Core
POLS-P 570Introduction to the Study of Politics I3 Credits
POLS-Y 567Public Opinion: Approaches and Issues3 Credits
POLS-Y 580Research Methods in Political Science3 Credits
POLS-Y 657Comparative Politics3 Credits
POLS-Y 661American Politics3 Credits
POLS-Y 675Political Philosophy3 Credits

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

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $320.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $960.00
Note:  

-Additional fees will apply.

 

-This program is not eligible for financial aid. 

Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $450.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1350.00
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