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. 

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

• World politics
• American politics

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

This 100 percent online program is taught by IU East, IU Bloomington, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. This consortial model allows you to take coursework from several campuses and learn from a wide range of faculty.

Of Special Interest for Teachers/Instructors Needing to Meet HLC Dual-Credit Standards

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the role of political science within the social sciences, the various methods used to build the body of knowledge in political science, and the practical application of this knowledge to our political environment.
2. Understand, evaluate and conduct empirical social science research through literature review and the application of tools and strategies for collecting and shaping public opinion, including polling, focus groups, and advertising.
3. Interpret, analyze, and trace the influence of major theories and themes in American political thought.
4. Isolate and analyze factors that shape the political attitudes, beliefs and preferences on individuals and groups and map their impacts on political behavior and decision-making.
5. Students will be able to evaluate and analyze the institutions, processes, and behaviors associated with American politics.
6. Situate and analyze American political institutions, processes, and behaviors in a comparative perspective that accounts for regional and international differences.

Degree Requirements 

To earn the IU Online Collaborative MA in Political Science, students must complete six core courses including the capstone and one of two available tracks—either American Politics or World Politics—for a total of ten courses/30 credit hours. 

Core Courses (six courses/18 credits)  

1. POLS-P 570 Introduction to the Study of Politics (3 credits) 
2. POLS-Y 575 Political Data Analysis 1 (3 credits) 
3. One of the following methods courses: (3 credits)
   

• POLS-Y 580 Research Methods in Political Science  
• POLS-Y 524 Research Methods for Public Affairs  
• STAT-S 512 Statistical Learning and Data Analysis 
• STAT-S 520 Introduction to Statistics  

     4. POLS-Y 529 National Political Institutions (3 credits) 

5. One of the following comparative politics courses  (3 credits) 

• POLS-Y 657 Comparative Politics OR 
• POLS-Y 757 Comparative Politics 

• POLS-Y 600 Capstone in Political Science 

Track Courses (four courses/12 credits)  

Complete one of the following tracks:  

American Politics 

1. POLS-Y 675 Political Philosophy (3 credits) 
2. POLS-Y 567 Public Opinion: Approaches and Issues (3 credits)  
3. POLS-Y 661 American Politics (3 credits) 
4. One additional course selected from the World Politics track OR  a second enrollment in POLS-Y 661 with a different topic (3 credits). 

World Politics 

1. POLS-Y 669 International Relations (3 credits)  
2. Comparative Politics  (3 credits) 
   • POLS-Y 657 Comparative Politics  OR POLS-Y 757 Comparative Politics 
3. POLS-Y 530 Globalization and International Political Economy (3 credits) 
4. POLS-Y 508 Topics in World Politics (topics vary) (3 credits)
   

For more information see Political Science, MA: Online Degrees: Online Degree Programs: Indiana University (iu.edu).