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Political science instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a political science instructor. Political science instructors usually study political science, international relations, or history. 49% of political science instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 35% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 264 real political science instructor resumes to see exactly what political science instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for political science instructors are the Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Commonwealth University.
There are also many online political science instructor courses to help get the education required to be a political science instructor.
What education do you need to become a political science instructor?
What degree do you need to be a political science instructor?
- Bachelor's, 49%
- Master's, 35%
- Doctorate, 11%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a political science instructor?
- Political Science, 53%
- History, 6%
- Law, 5%
- Other Majors, 29%
Most common colleges for political science instructors
| Political science instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 8.33% |
| Illinois State University | 6.25% |
| Appalachian State University | 6.25% |
| University of Wyoming | 6.25% |
| Western Washington University | 6.25% |
Best majors for political science instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Political Science | 53.4% |
| 2 | International Relations | 6.9% |
| 3 | History | 6.3% |
| 4 | Law | 4.8% |
| 5 | Public Administration | 4.2% |
Best colleges for political science instructors
The best colleges for political science instructors are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A political science instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for political science instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become political science instructors.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
8. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for political science instructors
Advertising disclosure
1. Chinese Politics Part 1 – China and Political Science
This course offers a conceptual framework for understanding China that highlights the intersection of politics and economics. It shows that rather than develop into a full blown market economy, state and party officials at all levels of the political system maintain significant influence in economic development. Such a “political” economy has had both positive and negative outcomes, which we will assess in detail. We also look at the origins, views, backgrounds and relations among leaders, and...
2. American Politics, Foreign Policy, and US-India Ties
This specialization is intended for people interested in politics and international affairs. You will learn about the United States and how its history, culture, politics, and foreign policy leave a significant impact on the world. You will also gain insights into US-India relations - which is the most important bilateral relationship among democracies of the world...
3. International Politics Mastery: Levels of Analysis
Learn '3 Levels of Analysis' to speak confidently about international problems even without prior university education...
4. Master Public Policy Analysis In Six Easy Steps: The Basics
An Introduction to Policy Analysis Concepts and Practice For The Real World!...
5. The Art and Science of Economic Policy
Economic policy affects every citizen. And economic policymaking is best done as a collaborative process with a wide range of stakeholders. This course brings an understanding of the relevance and impacts of economic policymaking in everyday life, and the ways for citizens to be involved in shaping economic policy, in an accessible and interesting manner. Taught by Dr. Vijay Kelkar and Dr. Ajay Shah, along with Aromar Revi, Director, IIHS, the course synthesises more than one hundred years of...
6. Understanding Korean Politics
This course will select six most outstanding issues in contemporary Korean politics and will engage in an in-depth, interactive inquiry of those issue. They include Korean politics in history, institutional setting of Korean politics, and dynamics of political culture in Korea, profiles of political leadership, myth and reality of the developmental state and the Korean economic miracle, and debates on Korean unification. The course will expose students to contending theories and empirical...
7. Master Public Policy Analysis: Advanced
Learn Advanced Policy Analysis Concepts and Practice For The Real World!...
8. 2017 Great Decisions: Foreign Policy Association
Learn about leading foreign policy challenges confronting U.S. policy makers and the American public...
9. Comparative Political Systems
Comparative politics covers a wide variety of topics and themes. The course starts with the definition of the comparative method giving special emphasis to concept formation and historical and institutional approaches. The bulk of the course is devoted to the theory of coalitions and the processes of government formation, functioning, termination. Through several in-depth analyses, the course will throw light on the way democratic regimes are governed. Electoral rules will receive special...
10. Engineering Life: Synbio, Bioethics & Public Policy
Synbio is a diverse field with diverse applications, and the different contexts (e.g., gain-of-function research, biofuels) raise different ethical and governance challenges. The objective of this course is to increase learners’ awareness and understanding of ethical and policy/governance issues that arise in the design, conduct and application of synthetic biology. The course will begin with a short history of recombinant DNA technology and how governance of that science developed and evolved,...
11. Master Polite English
Learn the 3 Golden Rules and 6 Principles of Polite Speaking in English...
12. The Constitution and American Government
History, Government, and Civics in the United States...
13. Politics and Ethics of Data Analytics in the Public Sector
Deepen your understanding of the power and politics of data in the public sector, including how values — in addition to data and evidence — are always part of public sector decision-making. In this course, you will explore common ethical challenges associated with data, data analytics, and randomized controlled trials in the public sector. You will also navigate and understand the ethical issues related to data systems and data analysis by understanding frameworks, codes of ethics, and...
14. Navigating Office Politics: Get What You Want at Work
Learn how to gain influence and get more done in your organization by understanding and navigating office politics...
15. Press Coverage, Publicity & Public Relations For Branding
Public relations to reach 100,000+ people with influencer marketing, publicity, and press coverage for personal branding...
16. Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking
Public Speaking for People Who Hate Public Speaking - Presentation Skills - Communication Skills and Storytelling...
17. Public Speaking for Kids (& Parents) Kids Can Speak!
Public Speaking: It's never too early to learn how to speak effectively and with confidence. An essential life skill...
18. Biotechnology/Biotech Business, Policy, Law, and Science
Your Complete Guide to Starting and Understanding Biotechnology Companies: Business, Law, Regulations, Policy & Science...
19. Public Speaking Training & Facilitator Certification
World-class public speaking training: Learn presentation skills, engage your audience, develop confidence, facilitate...
20. Data Science Bootcamp 2022: 5 Data Science Projects
Data Science and Machine Learning Masterclass with Python with 5 Data Science Real World Projects...
Top 10 most affordable universities for political science instructors
The most affordable schools for political science instructors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for political science instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for political science instructors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for political science instructors
The hardest universities for political science instructors to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for political science instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for political science instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for political science instructors
The easiest schools for political science instructors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a political science instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for political science instructors.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
6. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
7. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
8. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
9. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
10. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
Average political science instructor salary by education level
| Political science instructor education level | Political science instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $53,663 |
| Doctorate Degree | $65,603 |
Political science instructor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025