Best online political science master’s program?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Mike Sherwood, Feb 10, 2020.

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  1. Mike Sherwood

    Mike Sherwood New Member

    What are the best online master’s programs in political science?
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Last edited: Feb 10, 2020
    ITJD likes this.
  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    It is customary on this board to expect people to do a little research first before asking others to do their research for them.

    Perhaps it would be better if the OP searched for programs and then asked questions about them.
     
  4. Mike Sherwood

    Mike Sherwood New Member

  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I'm not a fan of SNHU for this because I have a friend who did their Master's in that through them and came away still not knowing jack about how politics works. (And I don't mean "doesn't have the same opinions I do", I mean how the system works.) I realize that's just one data point, but... there it is.

    Anyway, in line with what others are saying, it would be helpful to know what your goals are if you want the best suggestions.
     
  6. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Sorry Mike but that's not much help. How much is too much? What does respectability mean? Accredited? Is it really so hard to say what you want?
     
  7. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  8. Mike Sherwood

    Mike Sherwood New Member

    Thanks for the info! Sorry if my question was too vague.
     
  9. Mike Sherwood

    Mike Sherwood New Member

    Sorry, was typing this at school during my lunch period and didn't have time to respond in detail. I have researched programs online (APU, Virginia Tech, West Florida, Liberty, Regent Univ., Empire State College, Excelsior College, Walden, etc .) What I'm specifically interested in is a 30 credit program, non-thesis, somewhere around $1500.00 per course. I want the degree to qualify me for adjunct college teaching positions. I've been a high school social studies teacher since '92 and hoping to semi-retire and teach at the college-level. I prefer political science to public policy or public administration. Hoping to find a school/program that college department chairs will respect and recognize when I apply for positions.
     
  10. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    The competition for adjunct positions is crushing, and even if you're taken on, the pay is abysmal, often worse per hour than working at Starbucks. If that's your goal, you might be better off putting that $15000 in a 401-k.

    I'm not trying to be a dream killer, but it is what it is.
     
  11. Vonnegut

    Vonnegut Well-Known Member

    Mike, are you looking at local brick and mortar colleges or the online adjunct gig work? If you’re looking at local in-person options, I would highly encourage you to go meet with the program/department chairs to determine the feasibility. Online adjunct gig work is an entirely different game.
     
  12. jonlevy

    jonlevy Active Member

    I can tell you as a faculty at SNHU, that degree is heavily rubric based. However SNHU is fully accredited, so it is theoretically as good as a Poli Sci Masters from any other third tier school.
     
  13. jonlevy

    jonlevy Active Member

    I highly recommend the various online Masters Programs at Norwich University. There is a very short residencey at the end of the program. The programs like their MA Diplomacy and International relations are top notch and have been around forever. Norwich is a well regarded private university with a very strong alumni base.
     
    SteveFoerster likes this.
  14. jonlevy

    jonlevy Active Member

    Mike the reality is that the only degree that would pay off if the goal is online adjuncting, is a degree that you not only paid nothing for but also received grants and stipends. I went back to the University of Cincinnati when I was 40 for a PhD in PoliSci and received grants and stipends for six years. I didn't lose money on the deal because they essentially paid me to attend.
     
  15. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    Crap. Why do people feel the need to generalize? Maybe that's the only way for you.
     
  16. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

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