Where can I get free online courses in political science? Well, there are a lot of online platforms where you can get such courses. So, suppose you are interested in pursuing a career in political science but don’t have the time to study at an institution that’ll require you to be physically present. In that case, you can enroll in any free online certificate courses in political science.
Courses from prominent global institutions such as Harvard University, Michigan University, and others are available on learning platforms like Coursera, Alison, FutureLearn, and Udemy. If you’re interested in global affairs such as public policy, globalization, terrorism, the environment, civil rights, political development, or foreign policy. A career in political science might be a good fit for you.
In this article, we’ll look at what political science is all about, the benefits of a political science career, and the free online certificate courses in political science.
Let’s delve in!
What Is Political Science?
Political science is a field of the social sciences that studies the government, politics, and state. Political scientists examine political processes in various settings, including government, public, and private organizations. These experts can also specialize in several sectors, allowing them to work in multiple locations.
Because of the way the political sphere is growing all over the globe, political scientists are in high demand, and their demand will continue to see an uptrend which is why the Collegegrad, projected a 9% growth in the need for political scientists from 2020 to 2030.
Political science is a multi-disciplinary field that includes sociology, economics, history, anthropology, and public policy. Graduates in political science can go on to work in areas such as business, education, law, journalism, communications, government, and politics, so enrolling in any of the free online courses in political science will be a wise decision.
Furthermore, Political scientists focus their study and analysis on one of the five primary areas of political science, and each specialization of political science can have different employment responsibilities.
Branches of Political Science
Modern political science can generally be divided into five sub-disciplines, and they include:
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- National Politics
- Political Theory
- Public policy
1. International Relations
Political scientists in international relations research and analyze the political relations processes between nations. These include analyzing data and studying how Diplomacy, international policy, military conflict, and conflict resolutions operate.
2. Comparative Politics
Comparative politics conducts studies to compare political systems in countries other than the United States. The political processes of various governing systems are the subject of this discipline.
3. National Politics
The study of political processes in the United States is known as national politics. Political scientists who specialize in this discipline study the techniques, impacts, and outcomes of national institutions, state and municipal governments, and the representative procedures that make up these political systems.
4. Political Theory
Those who specialize in theories of politics conduct research and analysis into political ideologies such as justice, equality, rights, and other aspects of long-established political systems.
5. Public Policy
This branch of political scientists might concentrate on the evolution, integration, and consequences of public policies and legislation on community systems in the United States and elsewhere. To understand how public policy pertains to government systems, you can study international relations or comparative politics while pursuing a specialization in public policy.
Why Should You Have a Career In Political Science?
A career in political science will allow you to earn a lot of money, serve and apply your skills in various industries. For example, graduates in political science can pursue careers in advising, marketing, banking, finance, and public relations. According to the Collegegrad, the employment of political scientists is expected to expand by 9% over the next ten years. As a result, pursuing a career in political science is a wise choice.
Majoring in political science will help you develop your critical thinking skills, communicate effectively, grasp complicated social structures, work effectively in a multicultural society, and examine current events.
Politics impacts almost every element of our life, including education, employment, housing, and health care.
Enrolling in any of the free online courses in political science will set you in motion toward a career in political science.
Why Enroll In a Political Science Course?
Enrolling in any free online courses in political science can prepare you for various jobs in the private, public, profit, and nonprofit sectors. Here are some of the reasons why you should enroll in political science classes:
1. Self Paced Learning
In a world where so many things are vying for our attention, from work to family to business, it may be hard to focus on learning by sticking to a particular schedule and the general ways of receiving lectures. Hence, enrolling in any free online certificate courses in political science might help curb such situations. Moreover, with these flexible online courses, you’ll be in the comfort of your home while you learn at your own pace without worrying about missing deadlines.
2. It’s Cost-Effective
There’s no need to spend money on political science courses if you’re only using them to enhance your classroom studies. Many of them are free and can give you the vital information you need to know about political science. Because you don’t have to pay for unneeded subway rides or drive long distances to the learning center, online courses in political science are both cost-effective and time-saving.
3. Engaging Instructor
Before enrolling in any free online courses in political science, ensure that you conduct some research on the instructor, read reviews, and get a sense of their teaching style. The educator should be able to explain basic ideas easily. In a nutshell, enrolling in online political science classes gives you the flexibility to select the course and instructor that best meets your needs.
What Skills do You Need to be a Political Scientist?
Here are some skills you’ll need to become a political scientist:
1. Diplomacy Skills
Political scientists rely on their capacity to think and act professionally in various professional and social contexts and communicate with others in national and international settings.
2. Analytical Skills
Political scientists frequently employ both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Therefore, they must have analytical skills to collect, assess, and interpret data.
3. Communication Skills
In the world of political science, communication is key! As you complete your political science degree and gain professional experience, you will also develop the communication skills required for conducting research, interviews, consulting, analyzing, and presenting public policies to various audiences.
4. Problem-Solving Skills
Conflict resolution skills and the ability to identify creative solutions to obstacles and issues are critical qualities to cultivate in your political science career. In addition, political scientists must sometimes assess various policies, methods, or procedures to discover flaws or shortcomings and to suggest new ideas that improve political processes.
How Much Does a Political Scientist Earn
The average salary for political scientists varies depending on experience, job, and level of education. According to Indeed, a political scientist’s annual pay ranges from $57,236 for public relations managers to $107,300 for regulatory professionals.
How Do You Become a Political Scientist?
The following steps outline the most common approach you’ll need to take to enter a career in political science:
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step to becoming a political scientist. Your bachelor’s program will provide you with the essentials of political science that you will need for master’s school.
2. Take Part in an Internship
An internship in the field can help boost your resume and employability. This is because employers frequently want applicants with a documented work history, so having this experience can be highly beneficial to your career in political science. Internships are available in nonprofit organizations, campaign offices, research offices, and congressional and legislative offices.
3. Complete Your Graduate Degree
Master’s degrees in specific political science subjects, such as public administration, international relations, public policy, and public affairs. And it’ll give you an edge.
4. Think About Obtaining a Doctorate
While a Ph.D. isn’t an obligation for many political science positions, it is required if you want to teach political science at the university level or work in academia.
Having known what political science is about and the benefits of pursuing a career in political science, let’s look at the free online certificate courses in political science that are available.
Top Ten Free Online Courses in Political Science With Certificates In 2022
1. Global Diplomacy: Diplomacy in the Modern World
Global Diplomacy rank number one on our list of free online certificate courses in political science. The University of London offers it, bringing together cutting-edge research from various topics related to Diplomacy and international relations. This course will teach you how to use both theoretical and empirical methodologies to demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature and evolution of global Diplomacy and changes in diplomatic practices.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Global Diplomacy
Duration: 13 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
2. Moral Foundations of Politics
When do we give our allegiance to governments, and when do we owe it to them? This online political science course investigates the significant responses to this question in the modern Western world. In this course, you’ll learn about substantial political theories like utilitarianism, Marxism, and the social contract tradition and how they relate to current politics.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Moral Foundations of Politics
Duration: 45 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
3. Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy also ranks in our list of free online courses in political science offered by the University of Edinburgh research center. Suppose you’ve been looking forward to learning contemporary philosophical subjects such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, and political philosophy. In that case, this political science course will introduce you to all you need to know.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Introduction to Philosophy
Duration: 19 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
4. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
The course will provide you with an insight into the ‘kitchen’ of the Hague international criminal courts and tribunals. You will discover how international criminal justice works, who the actors are, the outcomes, and how it can be improved.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: International Law In Action
Duration: 17 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
5. Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action
Suppose you’re worried about global warming and desire to learn how to deal with this problem. Then this free online course in political science is for you. In this course, you’ll understand, address, and respond to climate change. You’ll be able to put what you’ve learned about climate change into practice in food, energy, transportation, and the built environment.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Act on Climate
Duration: 25 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
6. Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law: The Structure of Government
If you’re looking for the best free online courses in political science that narrow down to constitutional history, then enrolling in this course will be a good fit for you. In this course, you’ll learn about the evolution of the United States Constitution and how it has been interpreted over time. In addition, you’ll study the Constitution’s history, vital precedent-setting cases, and how changes have influenced changes in interpretation in the cultural and political context.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: The Structure of Government
Duration: 14 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
7. Politics and Economics of International Energy
Politics and Economics in International Energy also rank among the best free online courses in political science. Energy concerns have always been essential in international relations, but they may have recently grown. Whether you’re a student with a technical background in energy science or engineering, this course will teach you about global patterns in energy consumption and production, possible future development scenarios, the availability of oil reserves, and the oil industry’s growth.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Politics and Economics of International Energy
Duration: 30 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
8. Model Thinking
We live in a complicated world with different types of people, businesses, and governments, all of whose actions combine to produce new and unexpected outcomes. Yet, political upheavals, market crises, and a never-ending slew of societal trends can be curbed by Models. In this course, you’ll learn about model thinking, and the model in this political course will offer you a tremendous advantage in advanced degrees if you master it.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Model Thinking
Duration: 27 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
9. Global Statistics: Composite Indices for International Comparisons
While the complexity of quantitative procedures has expanded substantially, education and training in this field have waned. This free certificate course in political science will help you understand and learn how to build composite indices and solve some of the challenges that may arise as a result.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Global Statistics
Duration: 16 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
10. Introduction to English Common Law
Introduction to English Common law is the last among our free online courses for political science because one of the essential legal traditions in the world is English and Welsh common law. This course offered by the University of London will provide you with knowledge about the various ways rules are formed and understood and the English court system, and the growing role of the European Union and human rights legislation.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Introduction to English Common Law
Duration: 20 hours
Start Date: Self-paced
Conclusion
Apart from the excellent salary, majoring in political science will help you enhance your critical thinking and communication abilities and assist you in understanding complicated social processes. Hence, if you’re interested in global problems and affairs, you should consider pursuing a career in political science. You can begin by enrolling in any of the free online courses in political science that were listed above. We hope that this article has given you a scope of political science and how you can become one.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Free Online Courses In Political Science
Political science is a field of science concerned with the analysis of political systems, the study of political conduct, and theoretical and practical applications to politics.
Yes! You can get a political science degree online with even a certificate.
Below are some jobs you can get with a political science degree:
Policy Analyst
Campaign Manager
Community Service Manager
Legislative Assistant
Market Research Analyst
Social media Manager
Political Journalist
Public Affairs Consultant
Public Relations Manage
You can enroll in any of the free online courses in political science from the following institutions:
Yale University
University of London
Stanford University
Northwestern University
Duke University
University of Michigan
The University of Edinburgh
Some of the best sites for free online courses are as follows:
Coursera
edX
Udemy
Skillshare
Alison
FutureLearn
Reference
- polisci.washington.edu – What is Political Science?
- wikipedia.org -What is Political Science?
- collegegrad.com – How do You Become a Political Scientist?
- indeed.com – How to Become a Political Scientist?
- indeed.com – How Much Do Political Scientists Make?
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