Online Political Degree :: Accredited Universities

The Political Economy program at Athabasca University is designed for both beginning students and professionals to understand and engage with Canadian and global political and economic issues.
The course selection provides students the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of diverse polities, economies, cultures and regions of the world. Additionally, it offers to professionals the retooling skills and the academic credential necessary for successful employment in an era of globalization.

Entry Requirements

• Hold credit in ENGL 255 (Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program.); or have a grade of B- (70 per cent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level; or receive credit for an English course in which a grade of B- or better was achieved.
• In addition to completing this degree through online and distance learning, students have the option to take Bachelor of Arts courses in a classroom setting at other institutions.
• Students who hold a previous degree must enrol in the Bachelor of Arts four-year second undergraduate degree program. This degree requires a minimum of 60 credits.

Other Fees

• $115 Application Fees

• $180 Learning Resources Fee (per 3 credit course)

• $9 Students' Union (per 3 credit course)

• $2 Alumni Relations (per 3 credit course)

• $334 Out of Country fee (For international students per 3 credit course)

• $100 Evaluation Fee

• $100 Examination rebooking fee

• $100 Late examination request fee

• $50 Multiple examination fee

• $165 Per Extension Fee

Notes

• 60 Political Economy major credits
• A minimum of 15 credits in designated Political Economy concentration core courses. It is strongly recommended that students complete these courses at the beginning of the program.
• A minimum of 15 credits in one of the two Political Economy areas of focus. Students must take at least one course from Economics, Political Economy, and Political Science.
• A minimum of 12 credits from the designated Political Economy general electives courses.
• 18 remaining elective credits selected from: Communication Studies (CMNS); Global Studies (GLST); Governance (GOVN); History (HIST); Information Systems (INFS); Labour Studies (LBST), Industrial Relations (IDRL); Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST); Indigenous Studies (INST).

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The Political Economy program at Athabasca University is designed for both beginning students and professionals to understand and engage with Canadian and global political and economic issues.
The course selection provides students the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of diverse polities, economies, cultures and regions of the world. Additionally, it offers to professionals the retooling skills and the academic credential necessary for successful employment in an era of globalization.

Entry Requirements

• Hold credit in ENGL 255 (Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program.); or have a grade of B- (70 per cent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level; or receive credit for an English course in which a grade of B- or better was achieved.
• In addition to completing this degree through online and distance learning, students have the option to take Bachelor of Arts courses in a classroom setting at other institutions.
• Students who hold a previous degree must enrol in the Bachelor of Arts four-year second undergraduate degree program. This degree requires a minimum of 60 credits.

Other Fees

• $115 Application Fees

• $180 Learning Resources Fee (per 3 credit course)

• $9 Students' Union (per 3 credit course)

• $2 Alumni Relations (per 3 credit course)

• $334 Out of Country fee (For international students per 3 credit course)

• $100 Evaluation Fee

• $100 Examination rebooking fee

• $100 Late examination request fee

• $50 Multiple examination fee

• $165 Per Extension Fee

Notes

• 60 Political Economy major credits including a minimum of 36 senior (300 or 400) level credits from major courses (a minimum of 12, 400-level credits).
• 15 credits in required core courses.
• 21 credits in one of the two Political Economy areas: Global Political Economy or Canadian Political Economy.
• 12 credits from the designated elective Political Economy major courses.
• 12 credits from the Political Economy designated elective program courses in Communications (CMNS), Global Studies (GLST), Governance (GOVN), History (HIST), Information Systems (INFS), Labour Studies (LBST), Industrial Relations (IDRL), Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST), and Indigenous Studies (INST).
• Students may transfer in a maximum of 30 credits of courses applicable to the requirements of the major.

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The Master's Degree in Political Management prepares you to influence the political process, be successful, and make a positive difference in your community -- whether you want to work in the local, state, national, or international arena.

The Master's Degree in Political Management's 12-course (36-credit-hour) curriculum prepares aspiring political professionals to take their place in the emerging profession of politics. Get outside of the classroom and gain hands-on professional experience that you can apply immediately in your career. You'll learn the strategy, tactics, and ethical principles you need for success.

The degree may be tailored to your specific career goals. You may choose to focus in one of the following areas, or work with your faculty advisor to select courses from several areas that meet your individual aspirations. Focus areas offered with this program include Advocacy Politics, Electoral Politics, and Advanced Political Skills.

Classes meet Monday through Thursday evenings on GW's main campus in Foggy Bottom. The degree can be completed in as little as one year; however, students typically take two courses each semester, and finish in two years

Advocacy Politics

If you want to work in lobbying, grassroots, corporate public affairs, or non-profit operations, the Advocacy Politics concentration will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to start shaping policy outcomes immediately.

Electoral Politics

If you plan to run for political office or want to manage political campaigns, the Electoral Politics concentration will provide you with a solid foundation to work in politics at the local, state, or national level.

Advanced Political Skills

Many skills in the field of professional politics work in both advocacy and electoral settings. If you dream of becoming a pollsters, communications consultant, or fundraiser, the Advanced Political Skills concentration will give you the flexibility to customize and hone your skills in a specific area of politics. Also, with the permission of the program director, students may design a three-course sequence that includes courses from each concentration.

Entry Requirements

- A bachelor's degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

- The average GPA of incoming students is 3.4/4.0

- The GSPM does admit a limited number of applicants on a provisional basis (i.e. probationary status) who have work experience in politics or a comparable field that offsets their low GPA and/or GRE scores.

Other Fees

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Students in the Political Science program learn about politics and study questions such as the following. Are democracies with a president and legislative branch more representative than those with a prime minister who leads the legislature? Is a two-party system better than a multi-party system? How can governments respect diverse ethnic, racial, and religious identities, and still promote bonds of common citizenship? What should be the role of the United States in an increasingly interdependent global economy? These are the types of questions that political scientists explore, but they also represent issues that require ordinary citizens to make informed judgments. This program prepares graduates for careers in government such as public management, administration of justice, military service and the gaining and holding of elected positions. Graduates from political science programs are found in many professions; particularly those involved in large organizations with extensive internal networks requiring skills in dealing with and managing other people.

Entry Requirements

The bachelor’s degree program is open to students who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.

All students who enroll in the bachelor's degree program must enroll in COLL100 - Foundations of Online Learning as their first course.

International Students
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Applicants self-certify on their admissions application that they have received the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.

Depending on the country of citizenship applicants may be required to provide documentation of English proficiency to complete their admission file. Please check at "http://www.apu.apus.edu/admissions/general-information/international-students/english-proficiency.htm".

Other Fees

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The BA in political science equips students with the skills and knowledge to lead within a democratic system of government and in the rapid globalization of political institutions and economies.

Our students are trained to link theory with real world problems and ideas. They learn from renowned faculty, and they benefit from a classic yet contemporary liberal arts education. Most importantly, students hone a keen ability to think analytically and communicate clearly and persuasively.

As part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, we offer students wide-ranging and rigorous curriculum that reflects contemporary geopolitics, economics and events. Our courses prepare students for increasingly sophisticated, interconnected and competitive marketplaces.

Our graduates routinely go on to successful careers in law, politics, education, journalism, communications, and public service. They work in important institutions like the Federal Reserve and the Arizona Governor’s Office. Others work in major corporations and newspapers. Many have attended the world’s most prestigious graduate, legal and doctoral schools, including Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Oxford, University of Chicago, and University of California-Los Angeles.

Interested in adding a foreign language to your repertoire? The BA in political science requires foreign language study, which consists of 101, 102, 201 and 202, or the equivalent competency level established through testing.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must successfully complete ASU competency requirements. Admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas. Deficiencies cannot be in both math and laboratory science. Students must earn a minimum 2.0 in any subject area. Most competencies may also be met by test scores or college courses.

English - 4 years (composition/literature based)
Math - 4 years - Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and one course requiring Algebra II as a prerequisite.
Laboratory Science - 3 years total (1 year each from any of the following areas are accepted: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Integrated Sciences, and Physics)
Social Science - 2 years (including one year American History)
Foreign Language - 2 years (same language)
Fine Arts - 1 year

Applicants must also meet at least one of the following:

Top 25% in high school graduating class
3.0 GPA in competency courses (4.0 = A)
ACT 22 (24 nonresidents)*
SAT Reasoning 1040 (1110 nonresidents)*

*ASU does not require the writing portion of these tests.

Official transcripts must be mailed directly to Undergraduate Admissions by the records office of the issuing institution(s). ASU does not accept transcripts delivered by hand or fax. Please have your previous academic institution(s) mail your official transcript to the appropriate ASU mailing address

Individual Review
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All students who don’t meet the above standards will be evaluated through a process called Individual Review. Through this process Undergraduate Admissions will review all available information about a student’s application, carefully considering all aspects of a student’s academic background and accomplishments. Submission of an ACT or SAT test score is highly recommended. In some cases, additional information might be requested.

International Applicants
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TOEFL and IELTS score must be mailed to the university.

Other Fees

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