Online BA in Political Science Outcomes

Earning a degree in political science paves the way for graduates to pursue a variety of roles that go well beyond government and politics, while also developing critical thinking, research, writing and analytical skills. No matter what area of political science you study, the critical skills you develop in research, analysis and communications can help you succeed both inside and outside the political arena.

University of Louisville’s political science graduates have been extremely successful in earning prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including numerous Fulbright Award winners and multiple Truman Scholars. Many graduates go on to have successful careers—both in the U.S. and abroad—in the following fields:

• Local, state and federal government agencies
• Campaigns
• International affairs
• Economic development offices
• Non-governmental organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• Regulatory agencies
• Law/legal organizations
• Public policy
• Business
• Academia
• Media

This degree is also a stepping stone for anyone looking to pursue a career as a political scientist. Political scientists can earn a median pay of $122,220, with the employment outlook project ed to grow 6% by 2029 (bls.gov).

Students who want to explore their career options with a bachelor's degree in political science can reach out to the UofL Career Development Center, which supports students from their freshman year to their senior year and beyond with career assessments, advising, job and internship postings, resume and interview help, special events and more.

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Online BA in Political Science Application Deadlines

Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

Steps to Apply for the Online BA in Political Science

1. Complete undergraduate application
2. Submit $30 non-refundable application fee
3. Request official college transcripts for transfer credits from all attended institutions
4. Check for scholarships

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Online BA in Political Science Admission Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

Transfer Credit for Online BA in Political Science Students

If you have college credit but did not finish your bachelor’s degree, earn your degree in as little as two years through UofL’s online BA in Political Science. Transfer up to 60 hours from a community college and up to 90 hours from an accredited four-year college. Transfer applicants must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5 to be admitted in good standing. Complete the credit transfer pre-evaluation to get an idea of how many credits you'll be able to transfer in toward your UofL bachelor's degree, and visit our General Transfer Student page for more details.

Are you a KCTCS student? KCTCS students can transfer completed associate degrees in their entirety and begin immediately with online upper level coursework at UofL. Visit our KCTCS Transfers Page for more information.

See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

International Online BA in Political Science Students

• If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.
• International applicants must take the TOEFL exam if applying from countries where English is not the native language. Applicants holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States are exempt from this requirement.
• Bachelor's degrees earned internationally must be assessed to ensure that entrance requirements are met.
• International students will not be issued a U.S. visa if admitted to the online structural transportation certificate program, since there are no campus attendance requirements.

Online BA in Political Science Courses

The online bachelor's in political science is a 121-credit hour program broken down into the following curriculum components:

• General Education (Cardinal Core) Requirements: 31 credit hours
• Arts & Sciences Requirements: 22 credit hours
• Department of Political Science Requirements: 15 credit hours
• Track Requirements: 53 credit hours

General Education Requirements

Arts & Sciences Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

No more than 6 hours of POLS 430, POLS 510, POLS 511 and/or POLS 512 may count toward the major.

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.

* All degrees require the completion of the university-wide General Education Program. Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

¹ The department encourages students to satisfy a portion of the elective requirement through completion of experiential learning courses such as POLS 430, POLS 465,POLS 510, POLS 511, POLS 520 or POLS 530.

² POLS 399 may be an appropriate elective under any category depending on its topic in a given semester. A student must obtain her/his advisor's approval before attempting to use this course to satisfy an area requirement

³ POLS 333 may be an appropriate elective under any category depending on its topic in a given semester. A student must obtain her/his advisor's approval before attempting to use this course to satisfy an area requirement

⁴ POLS 341 may be an appropriate elective under any category depending on its topic in a given semester. A student must obtain her/his advisor's approval before attempting to use this course to satisfy an area requirement

⁵POLS 363 may be an appropriate elective under any category depending on its topic in a given semester. A student must obtain her/his advisor's approval before attempting to use this course to satisfy an area requirement

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Core Course Descriptions

Online BA in Political Science [h2] Success Team

• What can I do with this degree?

  Many graduates go on to have successful careers, both domestically and abroad, in the following fields: local, state and federal government agencies; campaigns; international affairs; economic development offices; non-governmental organizations; nonprofit organizations; regulatory agencies; law/legal organizations; public policy; business; academia; and media. Graduates have also been extremely successful in earning prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including numerous Fulbright Award winners and multiple Truman Scholars.

• How long will the program take to complete?

  The online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is a 121-credit hour program.

• Are the courses synchronous or asynchronous?

  Courses are asynchronous.

• Is there a GPA requirement for admission?

  Yes, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) to be considered for admission to the program unconditionally.

• Will I earn my degree from UofL?

  Yes. The Bachelor of Arts in Politcal Science will be granted by the University of Louisville and represented as such on the diploma.

• Is this program accredited?

  Yes, the BA in Political Science program at UofL has the same accreditation as the university. The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC).

• Is this program suitable for me as an out-of-state student?

  Yes, this program is applicable to students in other states.