Skip to main content
  • Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    30
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $350.00
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $490.00

Political Science, MA

Master of Arts

What you study

The IU Online Master of Arts in Political Science offers instruction in the approaches and methods political scientists use to analyze and explain political institutions and behavior. 

Read, interpret, and evaluate literature in the political science discipline. Study the role of political science within the social sciences, the various methods used to build a body of knowledge, and the application of this knowledge to the political environment around you. Trace the influence of major theories and themes in political thought, and conduct empirical social science research. 

How you benefit 

Tailor your degree to your professional interests by choosing one of two tracks:

  • World politics
  • American politics

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

Your IU Online MA in Political Science may prepare you for careers in such fields as: 

  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Education
  • Lobbying
  • Policy analysis
  • National security
  • Public service, government, and politics

To earn the MA in Political Science, you must complete a total of 30 credit hours. Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • Core courses (18 credit hours)
  • Track courses (12 credit hours)

Students are required to complete one of the following 12-credit tracks:

  • World politics
  • American politics

The stackable structure of the MA 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 need both discipline-specific coursework and a master's degree, the MA in Political Science meets HLC standards.
  • If you already hold a master's degree in a discipline other than political science, you can meet HLC standards by completing the Graduate Certificate in Political Science.

To be accepted to this program, you must have:
  1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  2. 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes: 
  1. Official transcripts from each undergraduate institution
  2. 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 session 1: Not currently accepting applications for Summer 2023. 

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

Core

POLS-P 570 Introduction to the Study of Politics I 3 Credits

POLS-Y 580

-OR- POLS-Y 524

Research Methods in Political Science

-OR- Research Methods

3 Credits
POLS-Y 575 Political Data Analysis 3 Credits
POLS-Y 529 National Institutions 3 Credits
POLS-Y 657 Comparative Politics 3 Credits
POLS-Y 600 Capstone 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.

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