Top 15 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Political Science

Regent University offers an affordable, accredited, and fully online master's degree in government, helping to equip its students with the skills and knowledge needed to take on leadership roles in the public sector. Taught from a Christian perspective, the program features coursework in areas like constitutional law, public policy initiatives, foreign policy, and American political thought. Each course lasts eight weeks, and students can begin their studies at any one of eight start dates throughout the year as well. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, though Regent does not require prospective students to submit entrance exam scores.

Western New Mexico University offers several online graduate degree programs that may appeal to those seeking an online political science master's degree. Students may earn a master's in interdisciplinary study with a graduate certificate in political science. Students take classes in American constitutional development, border issues in US/Mexico relations, politics of post-communism, and politics of the Middle East. The program has both a global and American politics focus. There is also a thesis option for those interested in carrying out research in their political science concentration. In recent years, Western New Mexico University has earned rankings from major publications like U.S. News and World Report.

Ashland University offers an online graduate degree program that appeals to online political science master's degree seeking students. The program focuses on the study of history and government and is designed for busy and working students who have the desire to teach social studies or work in various government agencies. There are 15-month and 27-month completion times available, depending on whether the student wants to attend on a full-time or part-time basis. Online courses include Civil War and Reconstruction, gender and equality in America, the American Revolution, and the rise of modern America from 1914-1945. Ashland University is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 214th best national university.

At the University of Nebraska Omaha, you can pursue an affordable and highly flexible online master's in political science degree. Students can follow a research-intensive thesis track or choose to focus more intently on practice, taking classes in the structure of American government and leadership theory instead. In addition, the program's online and asynchronous coursework gives students the option to watch lectures and complete assignments entirely on their own schedule. Finally, students can customize their learning by concentrating in international affairs or jointly pursuing a graduate certificate in either intelligence and national security or global information operations. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

Students at American Public University can earn their master's in political science online, giving them the freedom to balance their graduate studies with a full-time job or family obligations. This fully accredited program features core coursework in subjects like international political systems, public policy, and diversity in American politics, with optional concentrations in American government, comparative government and development, and international relations. The program allows students to enroll in new courses each month, and most graduate in two years or less. To apply, you must hold a bachelor's degree, though APU does not require GRE scores or charge an application fee.

University of Colorado is the only accredited institution to offer graduate public affairs degree programs ranked in the top 12% of all programs nationwide. The program is designed for students who are interested in an online master's in politics or related degree program that explores government, nonprofit, and public service topics. There are two concentrations available for students who want to delve deep into specific areas of public administration. Concentrations include homeland defense and nonprofit management. Also, students take courses in economics and public finance, ethics and leadership, and policy process and democracy. The University of Colorado is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a best national university.

Through an exploration of both the theory and practice of public management, California State University's online master's in political science degree can position you for advancement in government and nonprofit careers. This fully accredited and asynchronous program allows students the option to complete coursework whenever and wherever they choose, making it deal for working professionals. In addition to foundational classes in public policy, constitutional law, and political theory, students can also pursue a concentration in either criminal justice policy and administration, healthcare administration, or public and nonprofit management. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA, but this program does not require the GRE.

Liberty University, an accredited and Christian institution, offers an affordable and fully online master's in public policy. Through asynchronous coursework in areas like economics, governance, and political philosophy, students can earn an advanced degree on their own schedule and from the comfort of their own homes. The program also features concentrations in campaigns and elections, Middle East affairs, and public administration, helping prepare you for more specialized leadership roles in the field. Students can begin working towards their master's at one of three start dates, and most graduate in as few as 18 months. To apply, you must hold a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

At the University of West Florida, students can earn their master's in political science online or on campus. However, the online program does feature synchronous coursework, meaning you must participate in lectures and discussion sections at specific times each week. Along with classes in areas like comparative politics and international relations, students can also opt to study research methods in order to prepare to write a thesis on a topic related to political theory or a public policy issue. Students who forego the thesis option can sample from a rich slate of electives or pursue a formal concentration in security and diplomacy. To apply, you must hold a bachelor's degree and submit GRE scores.

The University of Missouri's 100% online master's in public affairs makes it easy to continue your education without interrupting your career. The program features fully asynchronous coursework in subjects like public service and democracy, organizational dynamics and leadership, and collaborative governance. Students can also choose to specialize in areas such as human resources management in the nonprofit sector of public budgeting and taxation. Each class runs for nine weeks, and most students earn their degree in under two years. While you must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, you do not need to submit entrance exam scores in order to apply.