Best Political Science Programs in Maryland for 2027

Maryland's Government and Politics major splits into two curriculums. The Bachelor of Arts trains you to read and interpret political science research, while the Bachelor of Science pushes you to produce it, adding Advanced Empirical Research plus 300 and 400-level methods and quantitative methods courses. Both start with American Government, a math or statistics course and Scope and Methods for Political Science Research, and the BA adds The Study of Political Philosophy as its theory requirement. You'll need at least 36 GVPT credits, half of them upper-level, plus Principles of Microeconomics and a foreign language through the elementary level. Benchmarks keep you on pace, and the first set has to be done within two semesters of entering the major.

BA or BS Track

BA centers on interpreting research, while BS adds GVPT320 Advanced Empirical Research and quantitative methods courses

Progress Benchmarks

GVPT170, a second GVPT course and a math or statistics course within two semesters of entering

Skills Requirement

Principles of Microeconomics, elementary foreign language and quantitative skills coursework

Program Sources: Government and Politics Major | University of Maryland Catalog

Hopkins has you sample the whole discipline early, with one 100-level course each in American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. After that come five courses at the 300 to 400 level, three more at any level, and 12 credits from neighboring fields such as history, philosophy, economics or sociology. At least two of your political science courses must carry the Writing and Communication designation. In senior year you can write a thesis, which begins with a three-credit colloquium in the fall, and a distinguished thesis with a 3.7 major GPA earns departmental honors. In 2023–24, 27 degrees were awarded.

Introductory Courses

One 100-level course each in American, comparative, international and theory

Outside Coursework

12 credits from history, philosophy, economics, sociology and related fields

Senior Thesis

Optional, starting with a fall thesis colloquium

Program Sources: Requirements | Political Science | Johns Hopkins University

The UMBC major is 36 credits of POLI courses, each completed with a C or better. At least five are lower-level, and a minimum of 21 credits sit at the 300 and 400 level, including two or more 400-level courses. You also pick one methods requirement, Quantitative Analysis in Political Science (POLI 300) or Research Methods in Political Science (POLI 301), and the department suggests taking it in sophomore or junior year. You can follow one subfield concentration or combine two, and POLI 448 is an internship course in policy, politics and administration. With 70 degrees awarded in 2023–24, UMBC is one of the larger options on its state page.

Methods Requirement

POLI 300 Quantitative Analysis or POLI 301 Research Methods

Subfield Concentration

Single or dual subfield concentration

Upper-Level Credits

At least 21 credits at the 300 to 400 level, including two 400-level courses

Program Sources: Majors – Department of Political Science – UMBC

Towson’s major runs 39 units and spreads you across the discipline on purpose: you choose four courses from six topical areas, and each one has to come from a different area. The areas include American government and public administration, comparative politics, international relations, law and the judicial system, political theory, and state and local government. You then add four upper-division electives and finish with a seminar in the area of your choice. Classes travel to Annapolis and Washington, D.C., and placements with the Maryland General Assembly or a member of Congress are the most common internships.

Topical Areas

Four courses, each from a different one of six topical areas

Seminar

One seminar in American, comparative, international, law, theory or state and local government

Internships

Junior or senior year placements, often with the Maryland General Assembly or Congress

Program Sources: Major in Political Science < Towson UniversityDepartment of Political Science | Towson University

UMGC’s bachelor’s totals 120 credits, split into 30 in the major, 41 in general education and 49 in electives, so there is plenty of room for credits you bring with you. Major coursework opens with Introduction to Political Science and Introduction to Political Theory, then seven GVPT courses drawn from recommended groups. One group centers on American government, with courses on the judiciary, the legislative branch and lobbying, and constitutional politics. Another covers international relations, comparative politics, global political economy and human rights. A political science capstone, GVPT 495, finishes the degree.

Major Credits

30 credits including two introductory courses and seven GVPT courses

Course Groups

American government group or international and comparative politics group

Capstone

Political Science Capstone, GVPT 495

Program Sources: Online Political Science Bachelor's Degree | UMGC

Loyola’s political science major asks for 13 courses, and the department divides the field into four principal subfields: political theory, American government and politics, comparative government and politics, and international relations. Inside those sit narrower specialties you can steer toward, such as political behavior and public opinion, parties and interest groups, the legislative process, the executive and public administration, public law and judicial behavior, and state and local government. If you would rather pair politics with another major, a seven-course minor is available. Loyola’s 2023–24 total was 29 degrees.

Major Size

13 required courses

Subfields

Political theory, American, comparative and international relations

Minor Option

Seven courses

Program Sources: Department of Political Science | Loyola University Maryland

Salisbury splits its major into two tracks. The traditional track adds three political science courses to the core for an in-depth look at politics and political life. The applied politics track points toward consulting, lobbying and campaign management and requires an internship, with courses that may include public policy analysis and modern statistics. Two internship routes are especially popular, one through the Maryland General Assembly and the other through The Washington Center. Back on campus, the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement hosts speakers, voting drives and candidate debates, and Model UN and study abroad count as experiential options.

Degree Tracks

Traditional political science or applied politics

Applied Politics Track

Public policy analysis, modern statistics and an internship

Internship Programs

Maryland General Assembly and The Washington Center

Program Sources: Political Science Major | Salisbury University

St. Mary’s builds its political science major from core courses in American government, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and quantitative methods, then moves you into small, discussion-based seminars. The senior capstone is the St. Mary’s Project, an independent research effort you design around policy, law or international affairs. Washington is a short drive away, and the Washington Program, the Schaefer Internship and the Steny H. Hoyer Center for the Study of Democracy place students in congressional offices, nonprofits and policy centers. Many majors also study abroad in places like South Korea, France or South Africa.

Core Courses

American government, comparative politics, international relations, theory and quantitative methods

Capstone

St. Mary’s Project, independent research

Internship Programs

Washington Program, Schaefer Internship and Hoyer Center

Program Sources: Political Science | SMCM

The Political Science PhD at Johns Hopkins asks you to build depth in a major field and a minor field, or two major fields, chosen from American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. Coursework totals 11 graduate courses at the 600 level with a B or better, and at least eight of them come from the department. The comprehensive exams are long: a major field exam runs over two days, eight hours each, and a minor field exam takes one. You can add a minor outside the department or a certificate in comparative racial politics. Two professors must accept your dissertation prospectus, and the degree ends with a dissertation defense. From the second year on, funded students serve as teaching assistants one semester each year.

Coursework

11 graduate courses, with at least eight in the department

Comprehensive Exams

Two-day major field exam and one-day minor field exam

Optional Certificate

Comparative racial politics

Program Sources: Political Science, PhD | Johns Hopkins University Academic Catalogue

Maryland’s doctoral students are paired with a faculty mentor from their area of study from the start. The program requires 14 courses and a minimum of 12 dissertation research credits. For recent cohorts, the required courses include GVPT 622, Quantitative Methods for Political Science, and GVPT 722, Advanced Quantitative Methods. You choose a major field from American politics, international relations or comparative politics, plus a minor field that can be political methodology or one you design yourself with approval, and you take the comprehensive exam in both. Being near Washington, D.C. gives you access to government agencies and international organizations for data collection. Eight degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Methods Courses

GVPT 622 and GVPT 722 quantitative methods

Major and Minor Fields

One major field and one minor field, each with a comprehensive exam

Dissertation Credits

At least 12 dissertation research credits

Program Sources: Graduate Overview | Department of Government and PoliticsGVPT Doctoral Program Handbook