Best Political Science Programs in Washington, DC for 2027

Georgetown’s government major takes ten courses: four foundational courses in U.S. political systems, comparative political systems, international relations and political theory, then six electives that must include a second upper-division political theory course and a Department Seminar. The seminar is capped at fifteen students and ends in a research paper of generally 25 pages or more. The department strongly encourages Analysis of Political Data among your electives. If you apply in the fall of junior year with a GPA of 3.5 or better, the Honors Program lets you write a senior thesis, which also satisfies the seminar requirement. Georgetown awarded 178 degrees in 2023–24.

Foundational Courses

U.S. Political Systems, Comparative Political Systems, International Relations and Elements of Political Theory

Department Seminar

Required, capped at fifteen students, with a long research paper

Honors Program

Senior thesis for majors with a GPA of 3.5 or better

Program Sources: Major in GovernmentMajor in Government

George Washington’s political science BA asks for six 2000-level courses, 18 credits, drawn from groups in comparative politics, American government and politics, international politics, law and organizations, research methods, and political thought, with at least one course from the research methods group and one from political thought. Introductory courses in comparative, American and international politics come first, and a proseminar in the junior or senior year plus an advanced topics course finish the major. The bulletin points to internships on the Hill, on campaigns and at government agencies as a way to extend classwork. GW awarded 231 degrees in 2023–24.

Required Groups

At least one course in research methods and one in political thought

Proseminar

Political Science proseminar in junior or senior year plus an advanced topics course

Introductory Prerequisites

Comparative politics, American politics and international politics

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science | The George Washington UniversityBachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science | The George Washington University

You choose one of six concentrations here: American Government, Comparative Politics, Gender, Race & Politics, Law & Politics, Policy or Political Theory. Introduction to Political Research comes early and covers research design and quantitative methods, and advanced courses give you chances to work with faculty and present at campus symposia or national conferences. Internships can supply up to 12 credits, in a city where sample placements include the Brookings Institution and the White House. With 189 degrees awarded in 2023–24, this is one of the larger options on its state page.

Concentrations

American Government, Comparative Politics, Gender, Race & Politics, Law & Politics, Policy and Political Theory

Methods Course

Introduction to Political Research, covering research design and quantitative analysis

Internship Credit

Up to 12 credits toward the degree, with a maximum of 6 applied to the major

Program Sources: BA in Political Science | School of Public Affairs | American University

Howard’s political science department grew from the work of Ralph Bunche, a founder of the department and the first Black person to receive a doctorate in political science. Majors shape their own path through five informal concentration options: international relations, comparative politics, political theory, Black politics and American government. Coursework covers national, state and local government, the political challenges and opportunities facing the African American community, and comparative political systems. The department points students toward graduate school, law school and other professional programs. A cohort of 194 degrees in 2023–24 makes this one of the larger options on its state page.

Concentration Options

International relations, comparative politics, political theory, Black politics and American government

Instructional Focus

National, state and local government, African American political challenges, and comparative systems

Program Sources: Undergraduate Studies | Howard University Department of Political ScienceUndergraduate Studies | Howard University Department of Political Science

Every politics major here sorts coursework into one of three concentrations: American government, world politics or political theory. Three introductory courses come first, usually in the first three semesters. After that you take at least nine politics electives, four in one concentration and at least three outside it. World politics adds Introduction to International Relations. The degree closes with a two-part comprehensive exam in the fall of senior year, one multiple-choice section and one essay section. Side options include a pre-law track, an honors thesis and double majors. With 29 degrees awarded in 2023–24, the graduating cohort is small.

Concentrations

American government, world politics and political theory

Electives

At least nine politics electives, four in one concentration and at least three outside it

Senior Assessment

Two-part comprehensive exam with multiple-choice and essay portions

Program Sources: B.A. in Politics - The Catholic University of America | CUA

The major takes 33 credits inside a 120-credit degree, and its research spine is three courses: Political Research Skills, Methods of Political Science and Senior Seminar. A 15-credit global studies concentration is optional. Located in Washington, the program lists the Congressional Internship Program and a Model International Organizations Simulation as hands-on options, and past students have interned on Capitol Hill and worked on national and local campaigns. Classes average 15 students, and a Pi Sigma Alpha chapter is on campus. The 20 degrees awarded in 2023–24 make this a small cohort.

Research Core

Political Research Skills, Methods of Political Science and Senior Seminar

Concentration

Optional global studies concentration of 15 credit hours

Hands-On Options

Congressional Internship Program and Model International Organizations Simulation

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | UDC | University of the District of ColumbiaBachelor of Arts in Political Science | UDC | University of the District of Columbia

Georgetown's Ph.D. in Government is organized around one major field and one minor field, usually drawn from the four subfields of political science. You'll take five courses in theory and methods unless political theory is your major, and faculty appraise your progress at the end of the second semester. Students in comparative politics, international relations and political theory must also show research competence in a second language. After coursework come written comprehensive exams, sometimes with an oral exam in the major field, then a thesis proposal and a dissertation that closes with a defense before your committee. Along the way, many students serve as teaching assistants in larger undergraduate courses, and some teach their own seminars.

Field Structure

One major field and one minor field

Language Requirement

Second-language research competence in comparative politics, international relations and political theory

Milestones

Comprehensive exams, thesis proposal and dissertation defense

Program Sources: Ph.D. Degree Requirements | Department of GovernmentPh.D. in Government | Department of Government

George Washington’s PhD has three major fields: American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. Minor options widen the scope to public policy, political theory, and research methodology. Required courses include the Craft of Political Inquiry and a dissertation development workshop. Before candidacy, students complete examinations in their primary and supporting fields, an original research paper, and a publicly defended dissertation prospectus, making research design and writing explicit parts of the progression.

Major and Minor Choices

Major fields cover American politics, comparative politics and international relations, with additional minor options in policy, theory and methods

Public Prospectus Defense

A public defense of the dissertation prospectus is required before candidacy

Program Sources: PhD in Political Science

Doctoral work here is organized around three concentrations: political theory, world politics and American government. Seminars generally run under ten students, and you carry both a major and a minor field plus a required course sequence in political theory. Coursework and comprehensive exams are built to finish in three years of full-time study, with classes mostly in the evenings so you can attend part-time while working. Then comes the dissertation, which sets the real clock: the median time to degree is under seven years, counting any master’s earned in the department. Three degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Concentrations

Political Theory, World Politics and American Government

Course Structure

Major and minor field, plus a required sequence in political theory

Coursework Pace

Three years of full-time study, with evening classes for part-time students

Program Sources: Ph.D. in Politics - Catholic University of America | CUA

Doctoral students organize their training around three fields, picking American politics, comparative politics or political methodology for the primary and secondary fields. The 36 credits break into 12 in the primary field, 12 in research design and methodology, 6 in the secondary field and 6 electives. Candidacy requires a written comprehensive exam in your major field, a qualifier paper and a defended dissertation proposal, and the department expects four to five years to finish. Research workshops and affiliated centers, including the Women & Politics Institute and the Center for Data Science, add professional contacts. Two degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Field Choices

American politics, comparative politics or political methodology for primary and secondary fields

Methods Training

12 credits in research design and methodology

Candidacy Milestones

Written comprehensive exam, qualifier paper and dissertation proposal defense

Program Sources: PhD in Political Science | School of Public Affairs | American University