Here Today... Gone To Hell!

I'm starting to work on my MA in Political Science and was wondering if anyone has any experience with graduate level work taken online.  Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

how much does it cost?

I've been a graduate student now for about a year:

I'd recommend attending actual classes if you can. Interacting with the professor and other students is part of the learning experience.

Graduate school is easier than being an undergad in that you don't have to study for a lot of tests and the classes are generally a lot smaller. If you are good at essays and writing papers, than you should be in good shape.

However, I would think a lot of political science programs would be to the left-of-center. Most of the political, cultural, etc., courses I have taken were all taught by liberals...so that may be a problem for you!

I'm well aware of the political leanings of PoliSci professors.  My undergrad is in PoliSci and Philosophy.  Every professor I had never allowed their personal opinions to relfect in how they treated a student, ecspecially when the student could justify their position.  Most of my professors grew tired of the repeated rhetoric of newly "enlightened" students.  I have no doubt I'll do fine on any essay and papers.

Taking courses in person isn't an option for me at this time, although I certainly do enjoy face to face discussion a whole lot more.  Anyway, thanks for the responses.  If anyone has any actual experience with distance learning, please let me know.

I'm sure you'll have no trouble with essays and papers, because poli sci isn't really about real world political values.  Maybe in an undergrad American politics class it can be, to some extent, but grad work is more about the science, rather than people's political opinions.

Will you be focusing on American, IR, Comparative, or Theory? 

American, only because I couldn't find an acceptable theory concentration.  If and when I get my PhD, it will be in theory.

Do you want to study institutions or behavior in your MA program?

Sorry, no info to give you on the online courses, but I'm in a poli sci grad program, as well, and am interested in what you're planning to study.

Institutions.  I'm really not intersted in getting invoved with statistics.  Mainly I'm concerned with Law and the theory/rationale behind it.  Behavior is important, but it's not something I want to put alot of time in to.  I have no interest in working for some politician figuring out demographics and what they need to say to win.

Don't want to be a sheepherder, eh? 

buddy of mine did online grad work.  he loved it. 

thats all i got for ya.

I wish you luck with that.  One of my majors in under-grad was poli. sci.  I remember a senior-level class I took in '95 where I chose to write my 30-page paper on the problems with Doomsday Theorists...despite the fact my teacher was with no doubt extremely liberal and personally didn't agree with my angle...I still got an A- because it was a good paper.  Good professors don't care what angle your paper comes from as long as it can back itself up with references and form a compelling argument.  (side-note, Julian Simon is a fun read...The Ultimate Resource is a must-read for any poli. sci. major imo)

Now, more on topic.  A buddy of mine is currently getting his MBA on-line through Indiana University.  He only has to be in Indiana once or twice a year if I'm not mistaken.  He loves it.  It's taking several years because it's spread out a bit to allow for working full-time and having a life outside of school.

Good luck!  As long as it is an accredited program, more power to ya.   :peace: 

Thanks Axl4Prez.  The program is regionally and nationally accredited or I wouldn't be taking it.  My best classes in college were the ones where I had to debate each day with extreme leftist.  That is where I made my bread and butter and every paper I wrote got an A.

^ That's cool.  Now I tend to be just left of center, but the events I remember most fondly (classroom events) were papers and "discussions" on affirmative action/quota systems (which I argued against vociferously), and ridiculous social welfare handout programs (which I definitely railed against).   Fun times... :yes:

I agree with this.  I once turned in a paper for a class entitled Greek Art and Architecture, where I argued that the structure of some ruins indicated that it was a city prepared for a siege.  The comments included this: "You make a good argument, but I couldn't disagree with you more.  A." 

Granted, that's a little different than the prospect of liberal profs disliking Walter because of his conservative beliefs, but in my experience, the politics that comes FIRST at a university is interdepartmental politics.  They're sometimes worse than the GOP and Dems in Congress.  :hihi:

I nearly managed to turn a materialist into a dualist with one of my philosophy papers!

yea.... and I'm sure you aced the class.

Nothing less than a high distinction.

I would love to read this paper

I really don't think that you have proven yourself worthy of reading my work Walter O'Dim. In the meantime just keep on underestimating me.

Good luck with your studies. At masters level I am suprised that you need to ask for advice.

Maybe Axl4Prez will let you read his paper on Greek Art and  Architecture.

That's what I thought.  More proof what an attention whore you are.

Is that what you thought? That you are not worthy to read my work. There's a start.


Sorry, I forget that this thread is all about you and your masters degree......

Tell 'em, Steve Dave!

Dave's not here man......... ;)

Easy there Stolat, you're startin' to give us folks of Polish descent a bad name!  My post had nothing to do with Greek art and architecture first of all.  Second of all, be nice.  The guy asked a simple question and there seemed to be a pretty good discussion going on...geez.  Thanks.   :peace:

Being of Polish descent you should know that Polish men (old school) do not tolerate sexism of any sort towards their women.


Furthermore, that "startin to give us folks of Polish descent a bad name" is out of line - you do know that you are talking to hierarchy don't you. VIPs in Poland mate!

Good Luck on staying on topic...Oh and Dim Good luck with your online courses.

Everybody have some cake and calm down.

Silly polls....

Know any good jokes?

How do you get a one armed Stolat out of your tree?

Lift his ban at HTGTH? I give up, how?

Wave at him!

Ahhh, good one centurion! Anymore?

How do you keep a Stolat in suspense?

With one of those toys that make the animal noises? U remember, u pull the string and whatever animal it lands on it makes the corresponding sound?

Spin & Say.  Pretty appropriate! 

I once played spine and say with Chuck Norris. Then well he got pissed when it didn't land on the duck and round house kicked me and the spine and say.

Chuck Norris is a turdmunching Fascist.

ask a one armed man to help! ;)

Ha Ha haghhh  Oh my I was laughing and started to choke on cake.  I won't eat cake anymore and just F-Off

He saved the gang in dodgeball and in doing so they were able to take over Global Gym Damn it!

That was a true story wasn't it?

To Hell with the topic I say!

LOL, eat your cake away from the computer!

I hear that the Blackforest Cake is divine!

Well, it's either eat that or fuck off, 'eh?

Hard one, I know...

Well this was fun..

Shame.. the start was pretty decent and I do hope the original poster got the information he wanted from the thread..