Best Political Science Programs in Georgia for 2027

Georgia separates its broad political science AB from a more quantitative BS. The AB lets you combine political theory and methods with American government and electives. The BS adds a stronger sequence in research methods, formal theory, and data analysis. An optional Courts, Justice, and Law emphasis groups courses on the legal system and legal theory. Both choices sit within SPIA, where language study and economics also form part of the undergraduate education.

Degree Choice

The BS includes advanced research methods, formal theory and quantitative preparation

Legal Emphasis

An optional Courts, Justice, and Law emphasis groups legal-system and legal-theory courses

Program Sources: Political Science AB or BSUGA Political Science BSUGA Political Science Areas of Emphasis

The department calls this its most flexible degree, a minimum of 36 credit hours, typically 11 courses. For students declaring after January 1, 2021, the sequence runs through Principles of Political Science, an introductory statistical inference course and Political Science Research Methods, then a research course, a political theory course and electives. Up to four courses from study abroad, the Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program or the Washington Semester can count toward the major. Honors and an undergraduate research grant sit alongside it. Emory awarded 58 degrees in the field in 2023–24.

Methods Sequence

Introduction to Statistical Inference, then Political Science Research Methods

Research Requirement

One research course, either POLS 394/494 or a course with RSCH in the title

Off-Campus Credit

Up to four approved courses from study abroad, Bard, Washington Semester or transfer credit

Program Sources: Political Science MajorPolitical Science Major

Spelman’s major is a fixed set of seven four-hour courses, 28 hours in all, with no electives to shuffle. You study national government in the United States, data analysis and research methods, international relations, comparative political systems, American constitutional law and political theory, then finish with a senior seminar. The department’s page also links to law school and graduate school information, fellowships and internships, including a paid internship with the Department of Energy’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. Pi Sigma Alpha membership opens to juniors and seniors with a 3.5 GPA. Spelman awarded 62 degrees here in 2023–24.

Required Courses

Seven 4-hour courses totaling 28 hours, all required

Methods Course

PSC 203 Data Analysis and Research Methods

Capstone

PSC 497 Senior Seminar

Program Sources: Political Science Major | Spelman College | Atlanta, GAPolitical Science Major | Spelman College | Atlanta, GA

Kennesaw State’s political science BS builds data skills in from the start. Your field-of-study core includes Introduction to Data Science and Research Methods, along with comparative politics, international relations and political ideologies. In the major you’ll take one course in six of seven subfields: American government, political behavior, international relations, comparative politics, political theory, public law and administration, and research methods. That last area includes Political Data Analysis and Public Opinion. You finish with a Senior Seminar, then fill 12 hours of upper-level political science electives and 15 hours of related studies from fields such as history, communication and philosophy. The department strongly urges internships.

Data and Methods

Introduction to Data Science and Research Methods in the core

Subfield Breadth

One course in six of seven subfields

Capstone

Senior Seminar (POLS 4499)

Program Sources: Political Science, BS | Kennesaw State University Catalog

Georgia State's MA includes six credits of experiential learning, which may take the form of an internship, consulting project, or study abroad. The general, American politics, and international and comparative politics concentrations share a 30-credit structure. You can choose additional methods coursework, including an advanced methods track, and finish with a research project or approved thesis substitution. Coursework can combine online master's classes with in-person doctoral seminars, depending on the plan you develop.

Experiential Learning

Six credits can involve an internship, consulting project or study abroad

Research Choices

Students can choose an advanced methods track and request a thesis substitution for courses and the final paper

Program Sources: Political Science MA

Georgia runs this doctorate jointly through its Departments of Political Science and International Affairs, with specializations in international relations, comparative politics, American politics and political theory including methodology. You declare a major field of at least five courses and a minor of at least three, add a course in a third field and complete a four-course quantitative methods sequence, mostly within two years. Written and oral comprehensive exams in both fields come next, followed by a dissertation prospectus and the dissertation itself. Assistantship offers are typically made for five years. Eight degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Field Requirements

Major field of at least five courses, minor field of at least three, plus a third-field course

Methods Sequence

Four-course quantitative research methodology sequence

Milestones

Written and oral comprehensive exams, dissertation prospectus and dissertation defense

Program Sources: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science & International Affairs - SPIADoctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science & International Affairs - SPIA

This doctorate counts 48 semester hours of graduate coursework beyond the master’s degree: 12 hours in a major field, 6 in a minor field, 3 in a field outside both and 12 hours of research methods training. You can take courses at Emory and Georgia Tech as well. Admission looks for a GPA typically above 3.4, strong letters about your research potential and a research-based writing sample, and the priority deadline for assistantships is January 15. The department says alumni work in academic, private, governmental and policy jobs. Ten degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Field Requirements

12 hours in a major field, 6 in a minor field and 3 outside both

Methods Training

12 hours of research methods

Cross-Campus Courses

Courses at Emory University and Georgia Tech are open to students

Program Sources: Political Science, Ph.D. | College of Arts & Sciences | Georgia State UniversityPolitical Science, Ph.D. | College of Arts & Sciences | Georgia State University

Emory asks for at least 14 graduate courses, 42 semester hours, and three years in residence. Everyone takes a two-course research methodology sequence and any two departmental core courses from American government, comparative politics, international relations or political theory, then joins a two-semester dissertation colloquium in the third year. Second- and third-year papers come before the written dissertation proposal, which you defend before the faculty to reach candidacy. Dissertation research usually begins in year four. No foreign language is required unless your research calls for one. Two degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Coursework

14 graduate courses (42 semester hours) and three years in residence

Methods Sequence

Two-course research methodology sequence for all students

Third-Year Seminar

Two-semester dissertation colloquium

Program Sources: Program RequirementsProgram Requirements

Clark Atlanta requires 30 graduate hours of coursework beyond the master’s plus 12 dissertation hours, for 42 in all. Three courses are required of every doctoral student: Blacks and the American Political System, Scope and Methods of Political Inquiry, and Government and Politics of Modern Africa. A mandatory weekly departmental seminar must be attended for at least three semesters. The comprehensive examination has four written exams in subfields you choose, followed by an oral exam. Among the program’s stated goals is training you to teach political science at the post-secondary level. One degree was awarded in 2023–24.

Required Courses

Blacks and the American Political System, Scope and Methods of Political Inquiry, and Government and Politics of Modern Africa

Comprehensive Exam

Four written exams in chosen subfields, then an oral exam

Departmental Seminar

Mandatory weekly seminar, at least three semesters

Program Sources: Political Science, Ph.D. < Clark Atlanta UniversityPolitical Science, Ph.D. < Clark Atlanta University

Georgia Military College builds its political science associate degree around two introductory courses, Introduction to International Politics and Introduction to Political Science, the second of which surveys political theory, comparative politics and foreign policy. The program says it develops research, analytical, communication and group skills in preparation for a bachelor’s degree at a follow-on institution, and it calls the degree a common pre-law route. GMC publishes transfer agreements that let credits move to dozens of other colleges and universities. The school awarded 7 associate degrees in the field in 2023–24.

Concentration Courses

PLS 200 Introduction to International Politics and PLS 201 Introduction to Political Science

Transfer Pathway

Credits transfer to a bachelor’s degree under GMC’s transfer agreements

Skills Developed

Research, analytical, communication and group skills

Program Sources: Political Science Associates Degree | Georgia Military CollegePolitical Science Associates Degree | Georgia Military College