M.A. in Government

Lead the Way Through Government Service

Are you passionate to serve and ready to lead change? Regent’s online and on-campus Master of Arts in Government equips you to sharpen your skills for greater impact in your community, the U.S. and the world. Choose from several concentrated areas of study in your government degree to prepare you to advance in your career and your purpose.

Locations: On Campus, Online

Total Credit Hours: 33

Next Session Start: January 13, 2025

Careers | Concentrations | Courses | Admissions | Tuition

Grow as a Problem Solver

Apply your understanding of history and ethics to strengthen governments, shape policy and affect the future.

Access Faculty Experts

Be mentored by renowned scholars and practitioners committed to national service – and to your success.

Increase Your Influence

Complete your M.A. in Government and join our global alumni network of government officials, consultants, policymakers, public servants and administrators in making a difference in the U.S. and around the world.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). We have also been recognized as a Military Friendly Top 5 School by Military Friendly®, 2024-25, and among the Top 10 Best for Vets Colleges: Online & Nontraditional by Military Times, 2020. Experience the Regent difference through the master’s in government.

Presented from a Christian perspective, this degree is supported by our respected faculty in Virginia Beach.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

M.A. in Government Career Opportunities

On completing the master’s in government, you can:

Develop sound policies to strengthen communities and the nation.
Provide in-depth analysis on new and existing regulations affecting various industries.
Apply a moral and ethical mindset when addressing and influencing policy.

Career Opportunities:

Public Servant at the local, state, or national level
Non-Governmental Organization Staff
Political Consultant
Public Policy Advocate
PR Specialist/Media Spokesperson/News Analyst

20%

Higher median usual weekly earnings for workers with a master's versus a bachelor's degree

Top 25 Best Master's Programs in Virginia, 2024, UniversityHQ.

Concentrations

American Government

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Government – American Government will equip you with the history, context and insight to analyze political issues and systems from a constitutional foundation and promote healthy governance.

International Relations

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Government – International Relations will equip you to aid in the creation and analysis of international policy to foster strategic relationships around the world.

Law & Public Policy

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Government – Law & Public Policy will expand your knowledge of policy, competitive politics and the law while you learn the history and inner-workings of government.

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
GOV 603	Research Methods	3	Qualitative and quantitative reasoning, the basic principles of the philosophy of science, and positivist and reflexivist approaches to knowledge creation. Cross listed with GOV 703.
GOV 604	Christian Foundations of Government	3	Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization. Cross-listed with GOV 704.
GOV 614	American Politics	3	Foundational seminar for graduate work in American politics. Introduces behavioral, reflexivist and institutional approaches to study of key concepts in American politics – including the presidency, Congress, voting and the judiciary. Cross-listed with GOV 714.
GOV 623	Public Policy Initiatives	3	Provides comprehensive overview of the public policy process and policy analysis. Examines contexts and actors of public policy, the principles and techniques for analyzing policy alternatives, and the methods for evaluating the effectiveness of governmental policy initiatives. Cross-listed with GOV 723.
GOV 625	International Relations Theory	3	Foundational seminar for graduate work in International Relations and International Security. Identifies and explains key methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of international relations theory, applies these methods and theories to specific practical aspects of international relations, and analyzes various IR theories and perspectives in light of a Christian world view. Cross-listed with GOV 725.
GOV 658	American Political Traditions	3	Examination of philosophical, historical and religious roots of the American political tradition. Explores the roots of constitutional government, Judeo-Christian contributions to American political thought, and the development of and contestation over contemporary ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism and progressivism. Cross-listed with GOV 758.

Admissions Requirements

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 9	Monday, August 19
Session B	Friday, October 11	Monday, October 21
Session C	Wednesday, January 8	Monday, January 13
Session D	Friday, March 7	Monday, March 17
Session E	Friday, May 2	Monday, May 12
Session F	Friday, June 13	Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2024-25 Tuition Rates

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	6	$4,170
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	6	$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$900	6	$5,400

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	9	$6,255
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	9	$6,255
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$900	9	$8,100

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2023-24 Tuition Rates

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	6	$4,170
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	6	$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$900	6	$5,400

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	9	$6,255
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	9	$6,255
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$900	9	$8,100

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

FAQ

Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.

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“All of my professors have such a passion for what they are teaching and it is contagious. RSG professors have first-hand knowledge about the subjects they teach. They emphasize that we can make moral arguments in the public sphere.”

Keelyn Geoghean, M.A., 2014

“I'm so glad Regent isn't afraid to engage with other viewpoints. It's a place where people are willing to debate their position honestly and without fear.”

Larry Mayes, M.A., 1998 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston

“What distinguishes Regent from other graduate schools is the Christian application to public policy issues. My faith is more complete because I was able to integrate a biblical worldview with domestic and international political issues.”

Amber Sells, M.A., 2008

“With core classes like American Political Thought in RSG, you realize these issues will come up again in your career. You gain a stance you can defend and confidence that you know what you’re talking about.”

Clarin Gniffke, M.A. Government, 2014 Owner, Alexandra Consulting, LLC