Best Political Science Programs in Virginia for 2027

At UVA, the political science major for students drawn to domestic politics or political philosophy is the B.A. in Government. You'll take at least one class in each of four subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. Then you pick a track and add three more courses in either American politics or political theory. The major totals 30 credits of Politics coursework plus 12 credits of related classes in fields such as economics, history, philosophy, psychology and sociology. To declare, you need two Politics classes taken at UVA with a C or better. Third-years with strong grades can apply to the Distinguished Majors Program, which centers on a year-long thesis seminar, PLAD 4960/4961.

Track Choice

American Politics or Political Theory, with three added courses

Related Coursework

12 credits from neighboring disciplines outside Politics

Thesis Option

Distinguished Majors Program with a year-long thesis seminar

Program Sources: Government | Department of PoliticsDistinguished Majors Program | Department of Politics

JMU’s major is 39 credit hours in three parts: a 17-hour core, an 18-hour depth requirement and a four-hour capstone. The core covers U.S. government, Western political theory, international relations, comparative politics and a four-credit research methods course. Depth means at least one upper-level course from each of four areas of political inquiry. The capstone is meant to connect the major to experiences outside the university and gives you individual work with a faculty member. A senior honors project can count as a three-credit elective with the program coordinator’s permission. JMU awarded 115 degrees in 2023–24, one of the larger groups on its state page.

Core

17 hours, including a four-credit Research Methods in Political Science course

Depth

18 hours with an upper-level course in four areas of political inquiry

Capstone

Four hours of individual work with a faculty member

Program Sources: Political Science, B.A. | James Madison University Academic Catalog

Virginia Tech’s core combines introductions to international studies and political science, political theory and research methods, plus a choice between Introduction to World Politics and The Global Economy and World Politics. Majors add U.S. government, comparative politics, nine hours of political science electives with six at the 3000 or 4000 level, and one advanced theory and practice course. Options there range from a diplomacy and security seminar to The Politics of Cybersecurity and a senior seminar in constitutional law. Option versions exist for Applied Public Policy, Legal Studies, National Security Studies and Social and Political Justice. Virginia Tech awarded 181 degrees in 2023–24.

Research Methods

Required in the core as PSCI/PPE 2024

Advanced Course

One advanced theory and practice course, including senior seminars

Major Options

Applied Public Policy, Legal Studies, National Security Studies, Social and Political Justice

Program Sources: Political Science Major | Virginia Tech Academic Catalog

William & Mary calls the major Government, and it takes 33 credit hours: four introductions (American, theory, comparative and international), GOVT 301 Research Methods, one 400-level seminar and 15 hours of electives. Most 300-level courses require papers, and the seminars ask for a major paper built on independent research. Research Methods also satisfies the major computing requirement. Internship and directed-research credit is capped at 6 toward the major, and some students elect an Honors project. The department awarded 138 degrees in 2023–24.

Required Hours

33 credit hours

Methods and Seminar

GOVT 301 Research Methods and one seminar numbered 401 to 491

Credit Cap

No more than 6 credits from directed research, independent study or internships

Program Sources: Government (BA in Government) | William & Mary Academic Catalog

Washington and Lee teaches politics in small classes built on close reading of texts and question-and-answer discussion, with less emphasis on lectures. Courses cover American government, political philosophy, global politics, and statistics and methods. The Washington Term Program is a six-week spring course in the nation’s capital with an academic course, an internship and a lecture series, and more than 400 students have taken it since 1987. Mock Convention, the Political Review and a Model UN program for high school students give you ways to take part outside class. W&L awarded 32 degrees in 2023–24.

Washington Term

Six-week spring program with a course, an internship and a lecture series

Course Areas

American government, political philosophy, global politics, statistics and methods

Student Activities

Mock Convention, Political Review and Model UN

Program Sources: Politics

Christopher Newport’s BA starts with a 15-credit core: Political Thought and Society, Power and Politics in America, Comparative and International Politics, Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis, and a Senior Seminar in Political Science. The other 21 credits are electives, which range from The Supreme Court in American Politics and Political Campaigns and Elections to Politics and Travel, Conflict and Peace Studies and a Community Service Internship. Several electives focus on regions, including Latin American, East Asian and Middle Eastern politics. The university awarded 53 degrees in this major in 2023–24.

Core

15 credits, including Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis

Electives

21 credits, with options such as a Community Service Internship

Senior Course

Senior Seminar in Political Science

Program Sources: Political Science | Christopher Newport University

Liberty’s BS puts a Christian framework around the study of politics. The catalog says it aims to give you a grounding in the philosophical and biblical influences on politics and government, and to see how domestic and international government structures and political processes shape one another. Learning outcomes ask you to discuss those influences on the formation of American government, compare approaches to government and politics, identify factors in the global political arena and articulate a biblical worldview as it relates to political science. Liberty awarded 165 degrees in 2023–24.

Program Focus

Philosophical and biblical influences on politics and government

Learning Outcomes

Compare approaches to government and identify factors in the global political arena

Program Sources: Political Science Major (B.S.) | Liberty University Course Catalog

VCU offers the BA with no concentration or with one of eight: civil rights, comparative politics, human security, international relations, political theory and methodology, politics and government, public policy and administration, or U.S. government. Majors take Research Methods in Political Science and finish with a Senior Seminar, and an A in that seminar plus a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.3 in political science earns honors. A combined BA and MPA can be finished in a minimum of five years. In 2023–24, 127 students earned the degree.

Concentrations

Eight options, from civil rights and human security to public policy and administration

Capstone

POLI 490 Senior Seminar

Accelerated Path

Combined BA and MPA in a minimum of five years

Program Sources: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) < Virginia Commonwealth University Academic Catalog

Virginia has Ph.D. students concentrate in one of four subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations or political theory. Anyone who does not already hold a master’s in politics receives the M.A. along the way, typically at the end of the second year. Students usually serve as graduate teaching assistants in years two through four and for one semester of year five. A Ph.D. Plus program helps prepare students for careers outside the academy, and joint M.A./J.D. and M.A./M.B.A. programs are available. The department awarded one doctorate in 2023–24.

Subfields

American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory

Master’s Along the Way

M.A. earned typically at the end of year two

Career Preparation

Ph.D. Plus program for careers outside the academy

Program Sources: Ph.D. and Two-Year M.A. Programs | Department of Politics

George Mason patterns its doctorate on the American Political Science Association’s Congressional Fellows Program, pairing coursework with firsthand experience of think tanks, international bodies, nongovernmental organizations, journals of political opinion and congressional and executive branch offices. You take three of five core seminars, choose two major fields from four and complete 21 credits across them, add a three-course minor field, and finish methodology that includes research design. Two comprehensive qualifying exams, a dissertation proposal defense and 12 to 24 dissertation credits follow. Three students earned the degree in 2023–24.

Fields

Two major fields plus a three-course minor field

Methodology

Introductory data analysis, research design and an elective methods course

Milestones

Two comprehensive qualifying exams and a dissertation proposal defense

Program Sources: Political Science, PhD | George Mason University CatalogPolitical Science, PhD | George Mason University Catalog