M.A. in Campaigns & Political Leadership

Prepare to Win Through Regent’s Campaigns & Political Leadership Degree Program

Do you have a passion for politics and seek to run an effective campaign? Regent’s Master of Arts in Campaigns & Political Leadership will equip you in the process and practice of election strategy, winning public opinion, and earning ballot box victories. Presented from a limited-government perspective with an emphasis on principles of federalism, this is the first explicitly Christian offering of its kind in the nation. You will learn about campaign management, political parties, administrative ethics, and finance and compliance issues. You’ll also study fundraising development, strategic marketing, data analytics and the power of social media to expand your base and reach voters across the aisle. Delivered fully online or online with some face-to-face components in Virginia Beach, you’ll choose a concentration that best aligns with your goals and interests.

Locations: Online

Total Credit Hours: 33

LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE

Manage campaign teams, advise candidates and navigate political culture.

MAKE AN IMPACT

Influence the direction of government at the local, state and federal levels.

GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Receive real-world training through an internship of your choosing.

INCREASE YOUR NETWORK

Join our global alumni of government officials, advocates, consultants and policymakers who are making an impact in the world of politics.

To learn more about this program, please complete the Request Information form on this page.

Career Opportunities

On completing the M.A. in Campaigns & Political Leadership degree, you will be able to:

Develop winning models for marketing a candidate or ideas-based campaign.
Train campaign teams and work with volunteers and donors to garner nominee support.
Apply effective campaign strategies that improve voter turnout.
Advance political agendas for faith-based candidates, organizations and initiatives.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Campaign Manager
Political Consultant
Not-for-Profit Executive Director
Campaign Marketing Specialist
Polling Analyst

Core Courses

Code

Name

Credits

GOV 603

Research Methods

Qualitative and quantitative reasoning, the basic principles of the philosophy of science, and positivist and reflexivist approaches to knowledge creation.

GOV 604

Christian Foundations of Government

Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization.

GOV 614

American Politics

Foundational seminar for graduate work in American politics. Introduces behavioral, reflexivist and institutional approaches to study of key concepts in American politics – including the presidency, Congress, voting and the judiciary.

GOV 663

Political Parties & Institutions

Overview of development and role of political parties within political institutions, from an American and international perspective.

GOV 664

Political Communication

Focuses upon the development of an overall campaign communication strategy by creating effective messages. Methods of message delivery will also be covered as well as methods of assessing the impact of communications. The role of the communications director and establishing effective relationships with the press and media will be explored. Upon completion of the course the student will become well acquainted with campaign communication strategies and techniques.

GOV 665

Political Campaign Strategies & Management

Teaches students how to manage a campaign staff, identify and activate a base of supporters, plan rallies and events, conduct grassroots organizing, calculate votes needed, and generate funding for the campaign.

GOV 668

Leadership & Administrative Ethics

A detailed analysis of moral and ethical reasoning from a Christian world view perspective entailing deontological, teleological and character virtue perspectives.

GOV 694

Not-for-Profit and Faith-Based Organizations Fundraising Development

Provides lectures, case studies, outside speakers, and class discussion of development and advancement issues in the management of not-for-profit ministries. Explores fundraising, including determining sources of support, planning the campaign, and successful strategies; marketing ministries, including promotional campaigns and public relations; and management issues including recruiting and managing volunteers.

Concentrations

Information Studies/Data Analytics

The M.A. in Campaigns & Political Leadership – Information Studies/Data Analytics program with equip you to provide data-driven leadership to optimize campaign efforts. You'll also learn to use data analytics to target voter segments and collect information to better understand top issues relevant to voters.

This concentration does not require previous knowledge of computer science, math or data analytics.

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Leadership & Ethics

The M.A. in Campaigns & Political Leadership – Leadership & Ethics will equip you to communicate information about candidates and ideas in ways that are ethical and improve the political climate. You'll hone your communication skills and learn effective messaging techniques that help to reduce polarization.

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Marketing & Communication

The M.A. in Campaigns & Political Leadership – Marketing & Communication program will help you analyze the digital marketing landscape and learn how to use the power of social media to expand your base. Be equipped to develop a strong campaign brand and communication plan that helps manage public opinion.

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Policy Studies

The M.A. in Campaigns & Political Leadership – Policy Studies program will prepare you to manage a campaign built on issues that matter most to voters. You'll study the public policy process, policy analysis, and the principles and techniques for analyzing policy alternatives.

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Admissions Requirements

2020-21 Semester Check-In Deadlines:

All new students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 14	Monday, August 24
Session M	Friday, September 11	Monday, September 21
Session B	Friday, October 16	Monday, October 26
Session C	Tuesday, January 5	Monday, January 11
Session T	Friday, January 29	Monday, February 8
Session D	Friday, March 5	Monday, March 15
Session E	Friday, April 30	Monday, May 10
Session F	Friday, June 11	Monday, June 21

Note: The application deadline for international applicants applying to attend on campus is March 15.

Prerequisites:

Applicants for the Master of Arts in Government must possess an earned undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

Application Process:

1. Complete Your Online Application

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office for assistance.

2. Pay Your $50 Application Fee

Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee by check or money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

3. Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts*

Unofficial transcripts from a U.S.-based school, indicating successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program, can be used for an admissions decision. Email your unofficial transcript to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: RSG Master’s Application Pieces.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. See the International Admissions Checklist for details.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution, which indicate successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program. We will notify you if your previous institution will not release transcripts directly to us.

4. Complete an Admissions Questionnaire Regarding Your Professional Goals and Interests

5. Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.

6. Submit Your Professional Resume (Optional)

Your professional resume or curriculum vitae should include:

Employment history with details of responsibilities, skill sets, and results
School, community, and church leadership positions
Service activities in which you have been involved
Academic and non-academic honors and distinctions you have received

Email your resume to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: RSG Master’s Application Pieces.

7. GRE or LSAT Score (Optional)

Test scores may strengthen your application file and improve access to scholarship opportunities. Official scores should be sent directly to Regent University by the testing agency.

8. International Applicants

Visit the International Students Admissions page for additional admission requirements and to determine if you qualify as an international student.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2021-22 Tuition Rates

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$675	6	$4,050
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$675	6	$4,050

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$675	9	$6,075
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$675	9	$6,075

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$800
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$650

2020-21 Tuition Rates

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$675	6	$4,050
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$675	6	$4,050

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$675	9	$6,075
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$675	9	$6,075

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$750
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$600

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Estimated Cost of Attendance: View the estimated cost of attendance to see an example of the total cost of tuition and fees.

FAQ

Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.

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“With core classes like American Political Thought in RSG, you realize these issues will come up again in your career. You gain a stance you can defend and confidence that you know what you’re talking about.”

Clarin Gniffke, M.A. Government, 2014 Owner, Alexandra Consulting, LLC

“The whole concept at Regent was, if you are pursuing administration in the public interest, you aren't just doing it to be a bureaucrat, but to serve those around you. You have to be engaged and know what you believe when you go into it, to stand up for what you think is right.”

Andrew Owen, MPA, 2017 Deputy Treasurer, City of Suffolk

“"My online degree allowed me to incorporate my academics with my profession making my graduate experience at Regent incredibly relevant."”

Gabrielle Jackson, M.A., 2012 The Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics

“Your time in school, and certainly at Regent, molds how you think, molds how you approach things … Regent offers a serious academic environment that provides for growth in those areas.”

Chris Connelly, M.A. in Public Policy, 1998; Ph.D. in Communication, 2020 Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

“What distinguishes Regent from other graduate schools is the Christian application to public policy issues. My faith is more complete because I was able to integrate a biblical worldview with domestic and international political issues.”

Amber Sells, M.A., 2008