Bachelor of Science in Political Science – American Institutions Online
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Program Overview
Explore American government with the bachelor of political science online program
The online Bachelor of Science in Political Science – American Institutions program closely explores the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government in the United States. As you progress through 100% online coursework, you’ll learn more about policy creation and the president, the Supreme Court and constitutional law and the congressional power structure.
Complete your bachelor of political science online degree in less time by taking advantage of our generous transfer credit policy and learn from respected faculty who advance your knowledge of the American legal system, political theory and the relationship between religion and politics. This flexible academic pathway prepares you for graduate study or rewarding career opportunities in politics and law.
Graduates of this online political science program will:
- Understand the development, organization and function of political parties and interest groups in American politics within the context of elections at all levels of government
- Explore the political, legal, organizational and policy-making aspects of the American presidency
- Examine the political and institutional development of Congress, including its formal legal powers and internal dynamics as a major national policy-making institution
- Examine key themes in the development of American political thought from the Colonial Era to the present, including the relationship between religion and politics, rights, revolution, national identity, markets and morals, and America's role in the world
- Critically assess the Supreme Court's role in dealing with the fundamental problems of constitutional law, including federal and state power relations, congressional power over commerce, equal protection of the laws and the conduct of elections
- Understand the development, organization and function of political parties and interest groups in American politics within the context of elections at all levels of government
- Explore the political, legal, organizational and policy-making aspects of the American presidency
- Examine the political and institutional development of Congress, including its formal legal powers and internal dynamics as a major national policy-making institution
- Examine key themes in the development of American political thought from the Colonial Era to the present, including the relationship between religion and politics, rights, revolution, national identity, markets and morals, and America's role in the world
- Critically assess the Supreme Court's role in dealing with the fundamental problems of constitutional law, including federal and state power relations, congressional power over commerce, equal protection of the laws and the conduct of elections
Political science career opportunities:
- Government Relations Specialist
- Public Policy Researcher
- Community Organizer
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Legislative Assistant
- Government Relations Specialist
- Public Policy Researcher
- Community Organizer
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Legislative Assistant
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Also available:
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online undergraduate programs.
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition
Discover the value of our affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition
Our B.S. in Political Science – American Institutions online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course |
---|---|---|
B.S. Political Science – American Institutions | $334* | $1,002 |
Important Refund Information
2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Transfer Your Credits for Lower Tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student’s Northwest record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Choose the start date that best fits your schedule
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working students, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/19/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/18/25 | 2/24/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/15/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/2/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Check out the qualifications for the online degree in political science
At Northwest, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the online B.S. in Political Science program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
To apply for this program, you must meet the requirements for one of the sections listed below.
Transfer Criteria
- Students with 24 or more transferrable credit hours:
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Students with less than 24 transferrable credit hours:
- Follow freshman admission requirements and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Transfer students from non-regionally accredited institutions will also be considered a freshman; credit cannot be transferred into Northwest from a non-regionally accredited institution
Returning Students (previously enrolled as degree-seeking at Northwest):
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA in any coursework completed since last being at Northwest (on 4.0 scale)
- A probation essay (if returning after being suspended or put on probation) explaining previous time at Northwest, what they've been doing since and how they plan to be successful when they return
Freshman Criteria (Adult - 24+ years old):
- High school transcript showing graduation date or completion of GED/HiSET
- Essay
- ACT/SAT test scores optional; can be submitted for scholarship/placement purposes if available
Freshman Criteria (for non-adult freshmen and transfers with less than 24 transferrable hours):
- Category I:
- 21 or higher ACT composite (or the SAT equivalent: SAT-980 or 1060**)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on 4.0 scale)
**Per 2016 SAT redesign.
- Category II:
- Have an admissions index score (see here) that equals or exceeds 100 points
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Category III:
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Complete high school college-preparatory curriculum
- Students who have completed the GED or HiSET are eligible with a minimum score of 660 on the GED or a minimum score of 75 on the HiSET
- This category is not an option for home-schooled or unaccredited high school graduates unless they have also completed the GED or HiSET
Home-Schooled Students
Applicants must have their ACT or SAT results submitted directly from ACT or College Board. A transcript listing of high school courses and grades in each course is also required for admission.
- 21 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent), OR
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
GED Applicants/HiSET Applicants
A student may be considered for admission after receiving an equivalency certification, meeting the following criteria:
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of Admissions
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
Review the curriculum for the political science degree online program
For the B.S. in Political Science – American Institutions online, the curriculum is comprised of 120 credit hours, including 44-47 credit hours of Northwest Core (general education) courses, four credit hours of Institutional Requirements courses, 27 credit hours of Political Science Foundations coursework, 18 credit hours of American Institutions Foundations coursework, 15 credit hours of political science electives, six credit hours of advisor-approved electives pertaining to American institutions, and as many credit hours of general elective courses as needed to fulfill the 120 credit hour degree requirement.
Students must take 44-47 credit hours of general education courses to meet the degree plan requirements.
Students are required to take a University Seminar (1 credit hour) and a digital literacy course, usually Computers and Information Technology (3 credit hours). Below is the information for each course.
If a course in this program is also used to fulfill a Northwest Core requirement or a requirement in another program, the number of credit hours may be counted only once toward the total number of credit hours required for graduation. Students may take POLS 34302, POLS 34303, or POLS 34321 in place of POLS 34340, but they will need to take an additional elective if any of these courses are pulled from another area of the degree program.
Students must take two out of three (6 hours) of the following courses: POLS 34301 Elections, Parties, and Interest Groups, POLS 34302 American Presidency, and POLS 34303 American Congress.
Students must choose to take either POLS 34405 American Political Thought or 34459 Justice: Theories and Applications.
Courses not taken to fulfill the American Institutions Foundations may be taken as Political Science Electives.
Choose 15 hours from the following courses:
These electives must be approved at the discretion of the faculty advisor and must pertain to the study of American political institutions or to the study of political theory, law, or legal studies. Some courses selected may have prerequisite requirements that must be completed and may not count towards electives in the degree.
Among Top 5
Ranked among the Top 5 “Public Universities in Missouri” by Niche.com (2022)
Highly Qualified Faculty
100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition. A one-time fee of $20.50 will be charged for remote proctoring of required Assessment of Core Proficiencies.
Request Information
Submit this form, and one of our enrollment specialists will contact you to answer any questions and guide you through the process, from start to finish.
Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Submit the form, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
Request Information
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.