Succeed
    Political Science: Impact, Activism and Your Career
    Online Program

    Political Science: Impact, Activism and Your Career

    by USC Pre-College

    Explore politics, activism and public-service careers through USC's online political science course, with practical case studies and a focus on community impact.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Political Science at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closing soon

    Eligibility

    High school or secondary students

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14+

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $1,990

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next application deadline

    7 October 2026

    Save deadline
    PoliticsSocial Sciences
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: 20-25 hours total; self-paced
    Mentor model: USC Mentor for content questions
    Assessment style: Five multiple-choice knowledge checks
    Main deliverable / output: Completed course assignments
    Certificate: USC Certificate of Completion; noncredit
    Course access: 90 days

    Political Science summary

    USC's political science course connects government, activism and nonprofit work with possible careers in public service. Its emphasis is on understanding how people turn community concerns into practical action.

    You work through recorded lectures, readings, assignments and module knowledge checks independently. Professional case studies and media examples help connect the topics with real career paths.

    It suits students who want structured career exploration and can manage their own study routine. The completion certificate is noncredit and does not confer special preference in USC admissions.

    What is Political Science: Impact, Activism and Your Career?

    Political Science: Impact, Activism and Your Career is a USC Pre-College course exploring how government, campaigning and nonprofit work connect with public service. It considers motivations for working in politics and the roles available at local, state, federal and global levels.

    Students study independently through recorded lectures, readings and assignments, using professional case studies and media examples to understand possible career paths. Featured professor Kamy Akhavan brings experience as executive director of the USC Center for the Political Future and former CEO of ProCon.org.

    Why Succeed highlights Political Science

    • The course connects political interests with concrete roles in government, campaigning and nonprofit organizations.

    • Kamy Akhavan's public-service and nonpartisan research experience gives the career focus a clear professional foundation.

    • Professional case studies and media examples make the connection between civic issues and career choices easier to examine.

    • Self-paced study and repeatable knowledge checks support students who prefer to revisit material before progressing.

    Who is Political Science for?

    Best for

    Students interested in civic issues who want to understand public-service careers through independent, structured study.

    Not ideal if

    You primarily want college credit or prefer scheduled live instruction to recorded lectures and independent assignments.

    Is Political Science worth it?

    This course can be useful if you want to move from following political issues to understanding the work behind government, campaigns and nonprofits. Its career focus and professional examples offer a structured way to test whether public service interests you.

    The tuition makes a clear learning goal important before committing. Choose it for the subject exploration and independent coursework, while recognizing that the certificate carries no college credit or special admissions preference.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

    Sean

    Founder, Succeed

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $1,990; includes Access to the chosen online course and materials., Recorded lectures, readings and assignments., Up to 90 days of course access..

    Dates and time commitment

    4 weeks; 20-25 hours total; self-paced.

    Provider details

    Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Complete course assignments and knowledge checks across all five modules.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    You can contact a USC Mentor for clarification about course content. The learning platform also includes chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Political Science need?

    Effort level

    Moderate, with approximately 20-25 hours of independent coursework.

    Best started

    Begin two to three weeks before your chosen intake, allowing three to five business days for an admission decision.

    Main challenge

    Maintaining a study routine without scheduled live classes.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose one community issue you care about and explain its connection to your course interest.

    • Draft the short-answer application essay and gather applicant and parent or guardian contact information.

    • Plan time for the coursework and review the tuition, application fee and refund terms.

    • Read the Letter of Understanding and arrange the required signatures before starting.

    Useful if

    You want to connect a civic interest with possible public-service careers.

    What do students do on Political Science?

    You explore how public service works through recorded instruction, readings, professional examples and assignments. The course moves through government, civic action, campaigning and career pathways, with knowledge checks to review your understanding.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Study government roles at local, state and federal levels.

    2. 2

      Explore nonprofits, activism and ways to take civic action.

    3. 3

      Learn the fundamentals of campaigns, elections and running for office.

    4. 4

      Examine working in office and opportunities to engage in politics globally.

    5. 5

      Connect your skills and interests with possible public-service careers.

    6. 6

      Complete assignments and all five module knowledge checks to meet certificate requirements.

    Political Science dates and deadlines

    Intake 1 application deadline

    9 September 2026

    Past

    Intake 2 application deadline

    23 September 2026

    Past

    Intake 4 application deadline

    21 October 2026

    Upcoming

    Intake 5 application deadline

    4 November 2026

    Upcoming

    Intake 6 application deadline

    18 November 2026

    Upcoming

    Intake 7 application deadline

    2 December 2026

    Upcoming

    Intake 8 application deadline

    16 December 2026

    Upcoming

    Intake 1

    14 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 14 September 2026.

    Past

    Intake 2

    28 September 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 28 September 2026.

    Past

    Intake 3

    12 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 12 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    Intake 4

    26 October 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 26 October 2026.

    Upcoming

    Intake 5

    9 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 9 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    Intake 6

    23 November 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 23 November 2026.

    Upcoming

    Intake 7

    7 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 7 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    Intake 8

    21 December 2026

    Application and tuition deadline; starts 21 December 2026.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Applicants must be at least 14 years old.

    • Applicants must be enrolled in high school or secondary education.

    • International applicants must be proficient in English.

    • Recent graduates and older applicants may request an eligibility exemption.

    • Exemption requests need an emailed statement of up to 200 words.

    How much does Political Science cost?

    Course tuition

    $1,990 — Course and materials access for up to three months.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $35 — Nonrefundable.
    • USC NAI scholarship: Full scholarship — For qualifying grades 9-12 students in USC NAI's summer session.

    What's included

    Access to the chosen online course and materials., Recorded lectures, readings and assignments., Up to 90 days of course access.

    How to apply to Political Science

    1. 1

      Create an account or log in through the official USC Online application portal.

    2. 2

      Provide contact information for yourself and your parent or guardian.

    3. 3

      Write the short-answer essay explaining your interest in the course.

    4. 4

      Optionally share writing, video or social media content that reveals something about you.

    5. 5

      Submit the application and pay the $35 application fee by your selected intake's deadline.

    6. 6

      After admission, pay tuition by the intake's tuition deadline using the approved credit-card process.

    7. 7

      Sign the Letter of Understanding before starting, with a parent or guardian signature if you are a minor.

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    Learning format

    Study independently through recorded lectures, readings and assignments, with approximately 20-25 hours of coursework in total. USC expects completion in four weeks, while providing 90 days of access for students who need longer.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Recorded instruction features Kamy Akhavan, executive director of the USC Center for the Political Future.

    • A USC Mentor can clarify questions about course content.

    • The course platform includes chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Recorded materials and assignments are completed at your own pace.
    • Plan approximately 20-25 hours of independent coursework in total.
    • The expected completion period is four weeks, with 90 days of access.
    • Domestic and international students use the same online application.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer, tablet or phone.

    • Have internet access and a web browser.

    • Access content, assignments and messages through USC's online learning platform.

    Assessment style

    Assessment combines course assignments with multiple-choice knowledge checks at the end of each module.

    • Complete all five course modules.
    • Score at least 70 percent on each module's knowledge check.
    • Retake knowledge checks as many times as needed.
    • Complete the required course content, videos and assignments.
    • Submit original work and acknowledge any permitted AI assistance.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Complete course assignments and knowledge checks across all five modules.

    • Receive an emailed USC Certificate of Completion after meeting requirements.

    • Request a USC Pre-College Programs course transcript.

    Political Science FAQs

    The course explores government at all levels, activism and civic action, campaigns and elections, working in office, and pathways into political careers. It connects these topics with nonprofit work and public service.

    The featured professor is Kamy Akhavan, executive director of the USC Center for the Political Future and former CEO of ProCon.org. Instruction includes recorded lectures.

    Course materials and assignments are completed independently online. Recorded lectures let you study at your own pace.

    Plan approximately 20-25 hours for recorded lectures, readings and assignments. USC expects completion in four weeks, with 90 days of access if you need longer.

    Complete all five modules and required coursework, and score at least 70 percent on each module's knowledge check. Knowledge checks can be retaken as needed; qualifying students receive an emailed USC Certificate of Completion.

    The course is noncredit. Participation does not guarantee admission to USC or special preference in the admissions process.

    You can contact a USC Mentor for clarification about course content. The learning platform also includes chat features and messages from mentors and staff.

    USC welcomes domestic and international applicants through the same online application. International applicants are expected to be proficient in English.

    Alternatives to Political Science

    Compare these options if you want online politics study, a broader social-science course or a combined philosophy, politics and economics focus.

    Alternatives to Political Science

    Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • USC Online Application Management
    • USC Pre-College Online FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • USC Online Exploration Courses Policies | USC Pre-College
    • Online Political Science Course | USC Pre-College
    • Online Political Science Course | USC Pre-College

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Intake deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and fees checked

    • Certificate requirements reviewed

    • Refund terms reviewed

    • Funding discrepancy identified

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.