Online Bachelor's in Political Science (B.S./B.A.)

Eastern Oregon University is regionally accredited, which is the highest form of institutional accreditation for colleges and universities in the United States and the standard recognized by employers, graduate programs and federal financial aid offices. Your degree from EOU carries the same institutional credential as one earned on campus. The B.S./B.A. in Political Science – Public Administration concentration has not been confirmed as holding a separate programmatic accreditation, which is common for undergraduate liberal arts and public affairs programs. If accreditation status is important to your decision, we recommend confirming current institutional accreditation details with EOU directly. Learn more about EOU on the about page.

Admission requirements for the B.S./B.A. in Political Science – Public Administration concentration follow the same criteria as EOU’s online Political Science program. You will need to submit official transcripts and a completed application along with the $50 application fee. No GRE, GMAT or other standardized test scores are required for admission to this undergraduate program. If you have questions about prerequisite coursework, transfer credit evaluation or required documentation, EOU’s admissions team can walk you through the process. Review the full requirements on the program’s admissions page.

A B.S./B.A. in Political Science with a Public Administration concentration prepares you for careers across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, legislative offices and public affairs. Graduates are positioned to pursue roles such as regional planner, research analyst, policy analyst and public administrator. The curriculum builds applied skills in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, program evaluation and public-service writing — competencies that translate directly into the day-to-day work of local government, executive offices, advocacy organizations and community development settings. Explore specific career pathways on the program’s career outlook page.

Yes, EOU offers an accelerated 3+2 pathway that allows qualified students to combine the B.S./B.A. in Political Science with an online Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) in just five years rather than the traditional six or more. The Public Administration concentration in the undergraduate program is specifically designed to prepare students for graduate-level public service coursework, and the 3+2 option is a natural next step for students who want to advance into management, policy leadership or senior administrative roles. You can explore the combined degree program details to understand how credits stack and when to apply for graduate admission. Learn more about the accelerated path on the combined degree page.

Online students have full access to EOU’s library resources including digital databases, e-books, research assistance, and interlibrary loan services.

Yes, Eastern Oregon University’s B.S./B.A. in Political Science with a Public Administration concentration is delivered entirely online in an asynchronous format, meaning there are no required class meeting times. You can complete coursework on your own schedule, which is designed with working adults in mind. The program includes four start dates per year, so you are not locked into a single enrollment window. One course, POLS 409 Field Placement (60 hours, available at junior standing), includes a hands-on component you arrange locally — details about that experience are addressed in the field placement FAQ below. Learn more about flexible online learning at EOU on the program’s overview page.