An online BA in Political Science is an undergraduate program in political science that takes three years to complete and offers an understanding of government structures, political behaviors, and policymaking. Courses taught to students include political theory, international relations, public administration, and comparative politics, which are delivered through computer animation and instructional multimedia. The program fosters the students’ cognitive abilities, problem-solving, and skills to work in the governmental and private sectors, public administration, international organizations, non-profit organizations, political campaigns, media, and research.
Why BA in Political Science?
Political Science as a BA program enables an individual to have an elaborative knowledge of political structures, rules, and other global policies, thereby improving the quality of citizenship. This opens opportunities for careers in government, public affairs, international organizations, non-profit organizations, political consulting, journalism, and academia, among others. It fosters critical thinking skills, analytical skills, research ability, and excellent communication skills desirable in many professions. Thus, this versatile education is beneficial in laying a basis for further education, including the shift in career paths, thus being appropriate for learners who seek knowledge on how societal processes function and can be managed.
Who should pursue an Online BA in Political Science?
An online BA in Political Science is most suitable for people who have an interest in studying government systems, political behaviors, and policies. This online course is ideal for those learning while focusing on other responsibilities, like working, or students who want some flexibility in their schedules. It is perfect for students who want to work in government and public administration, international organizations, NGOs, and political parties as consultants, journalists, teachers, or scholars.
Also, self-improvement can serve as a purpose, as critical thinking, analytical, and communication abilities can be improved. In addition, anybody who wishes to be an informed and active member of society and those who intend to continue with higher learning in law, business, or public policy would benefit from this program.
Programme Educational Objectives
- To Train Students for Advanced Studies: It equips students with a deep understanding and proficiency in their fields, preparing them to excel in their disciplines and pursue postgraduate courses at top-ranking institutions. This includes rigorous academic training, research exposure, and practical application of knowledge.
- To Cultivate Ethics and Professionalism: The aim of this program is to instill a strong sense of ethics and professionalism, teaching the importance of integrity and ethical decision-making. This prepares students to become responsible citizens who serve society and fulfill their aspirations positively.
- To Inspire Entrepreneurial and Leadership Qualities: The objective of this program is to inspire students to develop innovative entrepreneurial and leadership qualities. Through programs, workshops, and mentorship, it fosters creativity, problem-solving, and leadership skills, empowering students to become future leaders and entrepreneurs.
Career Options after an Online BA in Political Science
- Government and Public Administration: The graduates can take up Civil Services like IAS, IPS, or IFS, in which they implement government policies, manage security, and deal with the external world on behalf of the country. They can also work as a public policy analyst, a legislative aide, or a political consultant, participating in the formation of policies and the management of affairs at different governance levels.
- International Organizations: Some of the opportunities are as diplomatics or foreign service officers for they help their respective countries in managing diplomatic relations. They can choose to be more specific to be international relations specialists or diplomats involved in organizations such as the United Nations or Non-governmental organizations in fighting international problems and encouraging cooperation between the countries.
- Public Sector: Graduates can work as public affairs specialists in the public sector involving in managing public relations and community relations for government agencies or institutions. They can also go for policy researchers who analyze and or form policies or for municipal managers who will be in charge of the administration of a city or town.
- Law and Legal Services: Occupational opportunities are, one, legal consultants, which means being an advisor to organizations and/or individuals on legal issues. They can practice as legal assistants aiding the lawyers in preparing the cases or legal analysts who carry out extensive analysis on legal subjects for legal firms or government departments.
- Political Consulting: Some of the opportunities include being hired as campaign managers in which we are charged with the responsibility of strategizing on how to promote the particular candidates and their agendas in the best way. Graduates can also become political consultants whereby they advise their clients on the strategic directions to take and on how to engage the media and effectively lobby bureaucrats to support or adopt certain policies or legislation.
- Journalism and Media: Journalism as political reporters entails working as press officers in governmental ministries or as correspondents of different media sources. These individuals can serve as news analysts who pull political news and brief the public or as political content editors for magazines among others.
- Academia and Education: Academic jobs can include joining a university as a lecturer or a professor and teaching political science while also conducting research in a specific subfield. They can become authors working on textbooks and academic articles.
- Non-Profit Sector: Other careers can be as program officers, being in charge of projects and activities of the non-profit organization that deals with social or political causes. Some of the graduates may take up careers as advocacy specialists, who are involved in policy changes, or the management of fundraising specialists who are involved in the identification of ways for sourcing funds for non-profit organizations.
- Corporate Sector: In the corporate world, graduates can find employment in organizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) departments and designing strategies to add value to society. They are also likely to feature as public relations personnel, who handle the external image of organizations and their communications, or market research analysts who analyze political and social trends in the market for organizational purposes.
- Entrepreneurship: Graduates can begin to establish organizations like Political research and advocacy groups that seek to affect change in policies. They can start their political consulting firms through which they can offer their services to political parties or candidates, they can as well start civic tech ventures through which they can develop technology-related innovations in the areas of politics, governance, and civil society.
Syllabus for Online BA in Political Science
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
· Regional Language · English · Principles of Political Science · Political Theory · Public Administration | · Regional Language · English · Freedom, Justice, and Equality · Political Economy · Environmental Studies |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
· Classical and Contemporary · Political Thought · Indian Political Thought · Research Methodology · Electives | · Human Rights · Statistics · Modern Political Philosophy · Western Political Thought · Electives |
Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
· International Relations · India’s Foreign Policy · Public Policy and Administration in India · Indian Constitution | · Globalization · Modern Constitution (France, China, and Japan) · Project Work · Viva |
What will you learn in an Online BA in Political Science?
- Political Theory: A tour through political theory from Socrates to the contemporary theorists in order to describe justice, power, and rule.
- Comparative Politics: Explaining the variations in the political institutions and processes across countries and comparing their democracies, authoritarian regimes, and mixed political systems.
- International Relations: Global politics, which is comprised of theories of international cooperation and conflict, diplomacy, global governance institutions (international organizations) such as the United Nations, and the place of main world powers in international relations.
- Public Administration: Acquisition of knowledge regarding the notion, policy formulation, policies’ execution, and assessment in the context of public management and the function of bureaucracy.
- Political Economy: Looking at how politics relate to economics such as theories in development, economic globalization, trade, and political choices on the economy.
- Research Methods: Introducing students to the methods used in political research, including qualitative techniques like case studies and interviews; and quantitative techniques like sample surveys and statistical analysis that should enable the student to undertake independent research and analysis of political phenomena.
- Elective Specializations: In some programs, students may also opt for electives within a major area of interest like environmental politics, human/rights, gender, Middle East politics, or policy analysis.
Universities offering Online BA in Political Science
Universities | Total fees |
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | INR 14,100 |
Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) | INR 75,000 |
Delhi University | INR 26,460 |
Sharda University | INR 1,05,000 |
Aligarh Muslim University | INR 25,500 |
Osmania University | INR 9,000 |
Amity University | INR 95,000 |
Eligibility Criteria for Online BA in Political Science
The eligibility criteria for an online BA in Political Science program typically include:
- Educational Qualifications: The candidates should have passed their 10+2 or equivalent examination from any recognized central or state education board or any other authorized education board. This guarantees fundamental academic preparedness for university education especially in political science.
- Minimum Marks: This criterion is flexible depending on the institution and the percentage may lie between 45%, 50%, or slightly above depending on the program as well as the policy of the university.
- Age Limit: Admission to undergraduate programs could also have an age limit, but this is not as pronounced in online programs as it is in traditional classroom programs.
- Additional Requirements: In some cases which may vary with the university, other documents that are usually required include; transcripts, identity proof; photos, and, in some cases proof of residency or domicile.
- Entrance Exams: As for the specific exams, generally there is no need for entrance exams in the case of an online BA program, still some of the universities may include unique online entrance tests or they may take into consideration the scores that have been received for the nationwide entrance tests if any.
Application Process for Online BA in Political Science
The application process for an online BA in Political Science program generally follows these steps:
- Research and Choose Programs: Educational facilities that have accredited online BA in Political Science programs should also be found. These might include accreditation, course offerings, the background of the faculty, and the possibilities of online learning.
- Check Eligibility: Check the criteria like educational qualification and minimum marks/percentage required to appear in the examination. Before proceeding with the application make sure that you fulfill all of these criteria.
- Online Application: Visit the university’s online application form that is published on their website and fill it to the end. Give honest information as to identification, education, and contact details when necessary.
- Upload Documents: Files for scanning include, transcript, certification, photo ID, including Aadhar card/ passport for Indian residents, and photographs for international students. Certain universities may need documents such as proof of address or category certificates.
- Application Fee: Pay the application fee which varies depending on the university that has been chosen. This fee also differs from one institution to the other and is mostly paid online via secure payment methods.
- Submit Application: Complete the online application form and attach necessary documents based on the specific category you are applying for and then submit your online application. Make sure all of the information given is correct and comprehensive to enhance efficiency.
- Track Application Status: Check your application status on the university admission site, emails, or app notifications. It is also possible to attend special meetings at universities where announcements are made concerning the status of the application as well as other documents that may be attached and other ensuing steps of the admission process.
- Admission Decision: After examining the documents, that were submitted by you for admission, the university will inform you of its decision. If you are eligible and selected, you will be issued with an admission offer letter or email indicating the further processes of payment of fees and enrollment amongst others.
- Enrollment Confirmation: In order to accept the admission offer, you need to make the necessary payments also you have to provide proof of the fees paid or sign an acceptance letter.
- Orientation and Registration: Enroll in the orientation meetings conducted by the university if any and/ or any online registration systems as the university concerning the program schedule, online learning, and other policies.
Recommended Books
- Political Theory: An Introduction by Andrew Heywood
- Theories of Political Economy by James A. Caporaso and David P. Levine
- Modern Political Thought: Readings from Machiavelli to Nietzsche edited by David Wootton
- Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases by J. Tyler Dickovick and Jonathan Eastwood
- Comparative Politics: A Global Introduction by Michael J. Sodaro
- Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries by Arend Lijphart
- Theories of International Politics and Zombies by Daniel W. Drezner
- International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity by Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, and Steve Smith
- Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis by Kenneth N. Waltz
- Public Administration: Concepts and Cases by Richard Stillman II