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+--- Thread: Expectation vs. Reality for Political Science Master's (/Thread-Expectation-vs-Reality-for-Political-Science-Master-s)
Expectation vs. Reality for Political Science Master's - cfornesa - 01-28-2026
It's definitely a "me" thing, but I think I faced some issues after starting, then deferring, a program.
- One, I mixed up being "into" politics and wanting to study actual political science.
- Two, I didn't give myself sufficient time to rest between ending my last program and beginning a new one.
- Three, I don't feel like I was a good culture fit at all for the program. I've taken other online programs before, but I just didn't mesh with the cohort.
- Four, why did I think that spending $26k would be a good idea? I withdrew just before the deadline.
I just finished my Master's in Data Science (Boston University) and hyped up political science so much that I crashed (and burned) in the first week of my new program (Tier 2). I developed a stiff neck and a major headache last weekend and just knew that the stress wasn't for me. With things being what they are in the U.S., I'm also not sure that the program I entered would continue to be supported by financial aid, which would be a problem.
I also realized that, with the level of debt that I have now, even though I want to continue school, adding a $26k load (which I know isn't exactly the worst) would be unrealistic, even if the total debt would still be lower than my expected starting salary.
Currently, I've withdrawn from the current semester, but depending on circumstances, I could either join a different program (for $10k) in AI (which I just realized was something I'm interested in learning more about) or just rely on Coursera courses for now.
In either case, to meet the student loan deadline, I'll self-pay if I get into the AI master's program (I was admitted to the Eastern University program, but I still need to take the assessment).
I still can't help but think that I should really continue the political science master's since it's something that I've always been passionate in learning about but, at the same time, I know that culture fit and flexibility are what I need right now since I want to start a business or search for a job.
Anyway, end of my rant. I'm just really confused about my next steps, but I am going to (re)start going to therapy really soon to (hopefully) understand what I need to do.
RE: Expectation vs. Reality for Political Science Master's - bluebooger - 01-29-2026
if you're passionate about political science then just learn it
I can't think of any reason to get a masters unless you want to teach it in a community college or be a social studies teacher in a high school
you can search for political science textbooks on amazon -- just buy a couple and start reading
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=political+science+textbooks&ref=sr_nr_p_rag_integrated_qb_0
the great courses has some lectures
https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/catalogsearch/result/?search_param=all&catid=&q=political+
https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/allsubjects/history?CFM=mega_menu
you can see the requirements for a bachelors
https://bulletin.fordham.edu/undergraduate/political-science/major/
just find books and documentaries on the same material
UMPI even has an inexpensive youpace bachelors in political science
you have to scroll way down
https://catalog.umpi.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=8&poid=878
RE: Expectation vs. Reality for Political Science Master's - sanantone - 01-29-2026
Are you saying that you're more into policymaking and political drama than political science as a social science? If so, then yeah, political science programs that focus on theory and philosophy, research techniques, and government structures might be boring. A program in political campaign management, international relations, or diplomacy might be more interesting.
While they are different fields, there is a lot of overlap between data science, machine learning, and AI. If you wanted to work in AI, you could do so with a data science degree. If I'm not mistaken, Eastern's AI program is new. At Degreeinfo, Dustin completed their data science program and said that it wasn't that technical.
RE: Expectation vs. Reality for Political Science Master's - FireMedic_Philosopher - 02-03-2026
(01-29-2026, 07:55 PM)sanantone Wrote: Are you saying that you're more into policymaking and political drama than political science as a social science? If so, then yeah, political science programs that focus on theory and philosophy, research techniques, and government structures might be boring. A program in political campaign management, international relations, or diplomacy might be more interesting.
While they are different fields, there is a lot of overlap between data science, machine learning, and AI. If you wanted to work in AI, you could do so with a data science degree. If I'm not mistaken, Eastern's AI program is new. At Degreeinfo, Dustin completed their data science program and said that it wasn't that technical.
I have seen multiple degree programs in public policy.... but I REALLY want to see a degree program in political drama
