Political Science

Bachelor's Degree Program

Why do we pay taxes? Where do laws come from, and why do they change? How do people vote? How can nations solve problems and conflicts short of war? This is the study of political science.

When you major in political science at UAF, you’ll learn to apply political knowledge to concrete human problems. You’ll have opportunities to take part in real-world learning experiences including internships, Model United Nations simulations and more. You’ll also benefit from close interactions with caring, dedicated faculty who bring diverse research expertise to the classroom.

The strong understanding of local, national and international politics you develop through this program will be an asset to you throughout your career. When you complete your bachelor’s degree, you’ll be ready for a range of exciting careers in education, media, politics and more, as well as graduate school opportunities.

In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Department of Political Science at UAF also offers minors in law and society, environmental politics and political science.

What Is Political Science?

As the study of power, political science explains who gets what, when, where and how. It examines the struggles over the claims to authority put forth to shape the lives of citizens and the world. As the study of values, it examines why citizens obey or rebel, the nature of the just society and the ways individuals reconcile personal liberty with political authority. As the science of political behavior, it analyzes the actions of interest groups, political parties and public officials.

The online political science degree is a great fit for ³ÉÈËӰƬ who want to develop a strong understanding of local, national and international politics they can apply to careers in media, politics, education and more. It’s also excellent preparation for graduate school opportunities. At UAF, you can also combine your bachelor’s in political science with minors such as marketing, communication, digital journalism and leadership, which are all also offered online.

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Quick Facts

Degree type:

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Offered as a major and minor

Availability:

  • In-person
  • Hybrid
  • Online

 

Why Study Political Science at UAF?

Politics is around us everywhere, not just in governments but in families, social organizations, schools and decision-making bodies of all types — from student councils to international institutions. Now more than ever, our political science degree provides education for citizenship in a changing nation and world.

Here are some of the opportunities you can look forward to as a political science major at the University of ³ÉÈËӰƬ Fairbanks.

  • Take part in internships, participate in Model United Nations simulations and join the political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha.
  • Learn the causes and consequences of entrenched power relationships, value systems and political behavior in a variety of political contexts and geographic regions.
  • Gain specialized knowledge and training for careers in ³ÉÈËӰƬ in one of the best online political science degrees for studying the government and politics of the North.
  • Work in small classes that give you the opportunity to develop a political science community, comprised of your professors and student colleagues.
Take part in unique hands-on learning experiences

  • We offer numerous internship and scholarship opportunities in ³ÉÈËӰƬ and throughout the United States. You can also participate in Model United Nations simulations and join the political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha.

Work closely with faculty on research and other projects

  • We invite our political science majors to aid faculty as research assistants, become teaching assistants and take part in numerous other department projects such as bringing speakers to campus or hosting roundtables on important issues.

 
Explore a wide variety of political science topics

  • Examine foreign policy, peace and security, and terrorism. Learn modern methods of social science research and how to use computers to analyze public problems such as apathy, alienation and inflation. Analyze detailed case studies of countries around the world to understand how governments form and function. Or explore political theory and environmental politics.

 
Gain specialized knowledge and training for careers in ³ÉÈËӰƬ

  • Our political science degree program includes courses that focus on the government and politics of ³ÉÈËӰƬ and the North. Many of our graduates go on to find careers and serve their communities as managers and legislators with state and local governments.

 

Complete your Political Science degree online

Online political science degree example projects

As a political science major at UAF, you’ll examine a variety of contemporary political issues using different analytical tools. For example, you might analyze the implications of ³ÉÈËӰƬ’s transition to ranked-choice voting, or current global events in the field of international relations, using a wide range of sources and theoretical perspectives. You’ll also have opportunities to participate in and lead discussions and debates regarding these issues through Zoom, course blogs or online discussion boards. Many of our classes are writing intensive, giving you the chance to engage in the research process through the writing of final research papers and other assignments.

Experience online learning at UAF

Find out why our online undergraduate degrees have been ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. At UAF, you’ll pay in-state tuition for all of our online degree programs, regardless of where you live. You’ll also have the opportunity to work closely with award-winning faculty who are experts in their respective fields, at one of the top research universities in the United States. Courses for the online political science degree are offered asynchronously, so you can engage in more independent learning and plan your studies around work and family commitments.

Cost breakdown for the online political science degree

The estimated cost for the online bachelor’s in political science based on current rates is $43,300.

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Earned Badges for Online Program



QM certifications are valid for five years.

 

 

What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?

As a political science major, you’ll develop communication, research and analytical thinking skills you can apply to many different careers and endeavors. You’ll learn how to make an argument and back it up with facts. You’ll also learn to communicate your ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. From teaching, to law school, to careers in international politics, it’s all possible with a degree in political science from UAF. 

Ultimately, what you do with a political science degree is up to you, but a background in political science will benefit you throughout your life by giving you the analytical tools to understand and act on the politics affecting you.

 

Stefan JohnsonGrowing up in rural ³ÉÈËӰƬ led me to ask many questions about equity, opportunity and the power dynamics that exist within populations and within governments. When I chose to study political science, I imagined myself working abroad or in Washington on foreign affairs. While in the political science department I designed an independent study program that allowed me to work in rural Kenya at a women’s organization. It was during this time that I realized that the personal is political and that the most meaningful change we can make in the world often happens in our own communities. Alida Trainor,  Acting Northern Region Program Manager for Division of Subsistence at ³ÉÈËӰƬ Department of Fish and Game

 

Explore Classes for Political Science Majors

Courses are offered in the traditional fields of international and comparative politics, American government, political theory, public policy and public law. The department also offers classes in environmental policy and politics, Native American studies, the politics of science and women’s studies.

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Earn your bachelor’s degree in political science at UAF. Submit your application online today.