B.A. in Leadership Studies – Government & Public Policy

Lead. Govern. Serve.

The world of politics needs more influential voices like yours. Regent’s Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies – Government & Public Policy can equip you with a solid foundation in innovative leadership, ethics, strategic planning, and decision making. You can also learn how to interpret political data, explore viewpoints and grow as a political leader and communicator. Choose courses in the judicial system, international relations, state and local government, constitutional law, and more to tailor your degree to best fit your goals.

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 120+

Next Session Start: June 23, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

GROW YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Learn how the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation & U.S. Constitution influence decision-making.

BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

Anchor your knowledge and skill on Christian principles and values.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). Our programs have also ranked as the #1 Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia 13 years in a row (2013-2025).

Career Opportunities

On completing the B.A. in Leadership Studies – Government & Public Policy program, you can:

Lead with excellence and make strategic decisions.
Understand the development of the political system of the United States.
Explore the challenges of American democracy in a globalized world.

Career Opportunities

Corporate Communications
Congressional Offices
Nonprofits or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Journalism/Marketing
Lobbying or Campaign Work

$72Thousand

Average Annual Salary in Corporate Communications, 2021 Glassdoor

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
GOVT 196	Introduction to the Study of Government	3	Explores some of the main fields within the discipline of government (e.g., comparative politics, political theory) as well as some of the main approaches to the study of government (e.g., interpretivism, behavioralism, institutionalism). Various theories of integration for the study and understanding of government are also introduced.
GOVT 211	Introduction to Public Policy	3	Introduces basic concepts, terms, principles and practices of American public policy within a democratic-constitutional framework, with emphasis on theory development, policy analysis techniques, political, economic, and social organizational and institutional influence in the policymaking process, coverage of select policy areas, and demonstration of faith integration in the policymaking process.
GOVT 240	American Government & Politics I	3	Provides an analysis of the founding of the United States through an investigation of the important philosophical, constitutional, and political questions surrounding the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and the creation and development of the U.S. Constitution. Attention is given to federalism, and the Constitutional institutions of the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court.
GOVT 300	The Legislative Process	3	Evaluates the internal processes of the House and Senate as well as the place of Congress in the American political system. Some of the topics studied include the Congressional functions of representation, law-making, and policy-making as well as Constitutional and historical responsibilities. Prerequisite: GOVT 240.
GOVT 301	The American Presidency	3	Examines the Constitutional and historical responsibilities of the Presidency. Attention is given to the administrative, domestic, and diplomatic functions of the Presidency as well as to the growth of presidential power over time and the relationship of the Presidency to the other U.S. political institutions. Prerequisite: GOVT 240.
GOVT 302	The American Judicial System	3	Analyzes the U.S. judicial system with a concentrated emphasis on the internal processes of the federal judiciary and the U.S. Supreme Court as well as the Constitutional and historical responsibilities of the U.S. Supreme Court. Prerequisite: GOVT 240.
GOVT 303	State & Local Government	3	Analysis and investigation of the operations of U.S. state and local governments within the federal structure of American government with an additional emphasis on becoming active and knowledgeable citizens.

Other Concentrations

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 high school or college 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.

Step 4: Submit Your FAFSA

Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov Regent's school code is 030913.

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

2025-26 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$10,470	12 - 18	$20,940

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Under 12	$8,376
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Over 18	$12,564
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$698	N/A	$2,094+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2024-25 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$9,975	12 - 18	$19,950

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Under 12	$7,980
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Over 18	$11,970
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$665	N/A	$1,995+

Student Fees Per Semester

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

Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

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“Regent prepared me to step into the unknown with confidence and skill.”

Jonathan Holman, B.S. in Business, 2019 Director of Business Intelligence, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance

“Thankful for all the Regent advisors who helped me through all the obstacles of graduating. Thankful for my professors who answered all of my questions and emails.”

Jennifer Anne McFadden,

“At Regent, they encourage you as an individual and want you to succeed. Don’t sell yourself short. You can do it.”

Robert Coward, B.A. in History, 2019

“Thanks to Regent, I finished my degree and took hold of my future.”

Mandy Rogers, 2010

“Regent University provided a firm foundation for my worldview as a Catholic Christian in a profession and field of study largely missing an understanding of metaphysical and theological truths.”

Jalyn Dio, B.S. in Biophysical Sciences, 2022 Assistant Scientist, PPD