Learn it yourself. The library is free.

Interesting study, but it wasn't very valuable for me in the modern sense of politics.

It isn't the kind of politics you're necessarily thinking of. More like forms of government, the concept of nations and states, case studies resolving conflicts in Africa, things like that, not necessarily modern western politics.

My cousin has a poli sci degree and can't do anything with it besides go to law school. If you've got the spare time and spare change, go for it. You might like it more than I did. Don't expect to use it for a career.

Look at what you need for your degree. Perhaps you could take even one class to start

Can't you just learn on your own ? Unless you are looking for a job that would require the degree.

There are a lot of ways to take courses without paying huge tuition bills. No
credit, but same course material in many cases.

I'm in my 4th year of a Bcom and I am taking my first poli sci course. I love it. I'm 38 w/4 kids. There are plenty of people in my classes that are around my age and older.

Now in my case I kind of had to go back to school (my ex left me, I had no job, no education) but I definitely think it's been very worthwhile. There is just something about actually taking courses and working your ass off on assignments and studying that gives you so much more knowledge than just reading on the internet does. Although, I must say, with my poli sci course (101) I pretty much haven't had to read the text at all and I'm acing the course. I have a bunch more 2nd and 3rd year level electives to take and I think I'll take poli sci and I'm certain they will get much harder but it really is surprising how much I knew just from DU.

Go for it! Good luck!

Double Major in Politics and Mass Communications.

After many years in Marketing/GoToMarket/Product Launch - I jumped to finance. One of the few people in a company of Marketing, MBA's, Engineers, Human Factors that has one . . . opened the door to following duties in my corporate sig line: Import, Export, Hazardous Materials, and Freight Controls - U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security Liason


I.E. You CAN do something with it - but you will probably need some certification along with it. I'm pursuing an advanced degree in Homeland Security and I'm certified in Homeland Security, Haz Mat, Fraud, and Import/Export Controls.

My sister got her bachelors when she was in her 40s. It was a goal she wanted to achieve, she had the means to do it so she did it.

My daughter earned her masters degree two years ago at the age of 40.

I say go for it!

It gets no respect. No matter who you talk to about politics they will almost invariably dismiss the degree as unnecessary at best and detrimental to "right thinking" at worst. That said, if you want to do this for personal enrichment I would highly recommend it. It has literally changed my life and worldview in countless ways and I consider myself to be better for the experience.

A world of caution though, if you do pursue it prepare to have the occasional sacred cow gored. The more it hurts the more you learned.

BTW, I was a nontraditional student that graduated in my mid thirties and still consider going post grad in my forties.

Tuition, books, transportation, childcare + opportunity costs (the wages you'd have made if not going to school and/or interest a comparable investment would have yielded). In my case, it'd cost me about $100,000 to go to school for 4 years.

Assuming 16 years of career in which to repay that investment, I'd have to expect about $1000 monthly income to break even.

and I can tell you that the classes can be fairly challenging, especially if you don't keep up with current events and if you are not well-read on basic civics. If politics is your passion, I would strongly suggest you go for it, but keep in mind that it may be tough to find a high-paying job in politics outside of an elected position.