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About This Program
American Military University’s (AMU) master’s in political science online program provides a high-level examination of American government theory and process.
Among the largest master's degree in political science programs in the country, AMU’s program covers these topics:
- Comparative politics
- Contemporary political institutions
- Defense, security, domestic, and foreign policy
- International law
- Legislative behavior
- Political philosophy
- Regional and transnational organizations
You will be expected to present advanced critical thinking, research, and writing skills. You may complete a portfolio and reflection paper or take a comprehensive exam at the end of your online political science master’s degree.
What You Will Do
- Apply the basic concepts of government, governance, economy, and civil society to contemporary political systems
- Understand the components of representative democracy and compare those against other political systems
- Collect the appropriate information and data used to form social, economic, foreign affairs, and security policy and evaluate their outcomes
- Assess the actors and processes involved in policymaking
Degree at a Glance
$386.75** | $409.50***
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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:
Discusses a variety of security, economic, foreign, and domestic policy issues at the national, state, and local levels. Topics include budgeting and expenditures, data analysis through statistics, management of large bureaucracies, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to:
- Assess the prioritization of American domestic, economic, and foreign policy issues.
- Evaluate the policy-making environment and the role of economic, political, cultural, and organizational factors that affect decision making in the United States.
- Analyze the role of the Executive Branch, Congress, the Department of Defense, appropriate Cabinet Departments and the separated armed services in the formulation of security and domestic policy.
Choose 12 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4483
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2680
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2726
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2727
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2705
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2724
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2675
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2728
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Uses the comparative method of analysis to study democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, and authoritarian forms of government. Topics include Al Qaeda, the relationship between military and government affairs, mediation between opposing factions, and economics, including the readings of Karl Marx.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to:
- Evaluate the "national interest" and how it is formulated through a comparative studies approach.
- Assess the role of culture, politics, economics, the defense establishment, and domestic constraints in decision making and policy making in various political regimes.
- Analyze the impact of foreign policy on domestic decisions as well as domestic considerations on foreign policy.
- Critically assess the unique principles, structure, and organization of the major international organizations.
- Evaluate the role of international organizations in addressing issues of economic development, free and unrestricted trade, capital investment, conflict resolution, threats to international order, terrorism, and war crimes.
- Assess the economic and political processes in international development; diagnose social issues in international development; appraise the need for sustainable international development.
- Examine the prospects of governance by international organizations.
- Evaluate the multidimensional effects of globalization.
- Assess alternatives to current policies in the post-Cold War era and examine their impact on the United States, its allies, regional powers, and the international system.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3549
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Choose 9 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3519
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3469
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3563
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2680
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4194
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3229
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Discusses various international issues through coverage of international organizations like the Red Cross and the United Nations, as well as the governments of Latin America, Korea, and the Middle East and the use of modern statistical methods and models to solve problems.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to:
- Construct a theory about the distinct nature of conflict in the post-Cold War era.
- Assess the norms and purposes of international structures and regimes.
- Critique the political, economic, military, and cultural differences between the Northeast Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern regions.
- Analyze global military developments since the mid-twentieth century.
Choose 12 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3557
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3568
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3470
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3483
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3489
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3487
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2581
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2680
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Provides insight into the democratic process of government in the U.S. Topics include all three branches of government, as well as freedoms protected by the Constitution, the role of women in changing public policy, and the division of power between federal and state governments.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to:
- Interpret the philosophical theories of constitutional democracy and federalist principles that form the basis of the U.S. political structure.
- Analyze the three institutions of government that create and implement federal policy.
- Assess why the American system of local, state, and federal government and their intergovernmental relations is an invitation to struggle.
- Evaluate the evolution of interest groups in the United States and their various roles assumed in both historical and modern democratic processes.
- Analyze the perspectives of political parties and their impact on federal, state, and local government.
- Judge the emerging impact of gender, race, language, ethnic traditions, sexual orientation, and moral principles on federal, state, and local government.
Choose 12 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3514
Course ID: 2680
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3552
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3554
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3556
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3555
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3569
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3560
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2709
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3550
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2729
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4836
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4891
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 5023
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
05/27/24 - 11/01/24 | 11/04/24 - 12/29/24 | Fall 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 | 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 | Fall 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Admission Requirements
- All AMU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®).
- Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Materials Cost
Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal book costs associated with earning this degree.
Technology fee: $85 per course
Need Help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an AMU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].
Consumer Information
Disclosures
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
2Alumni Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt As of December 31, 2021
Includes alumni who graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from APUS. Student loan debt is defined as student loans and private education loans used for tuition, fees, living expenses, and book costs associated with courses taken at APUS. Many APUS students receive military tuition assistance and veterans education benefits, which are not student loan debt.
1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
*Cost Per Credit Hour
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about AMU’s cost components and full cost of attendance.