M.A. in Government – American Government

Equip Yourself for Public Service

Do you have a passion to serve in government and shape public policy? Regent’s online and on-campus Master of Arts in Government – American Government can equip you with the history, context and insight to analyze political issues and systems – from a constitutional foundation – and promote healthy governance.

Locations: On Campus, Online

Total Credit Hours: 33

Next Session Start: May 12, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

Lead with Strength

Build your expertise in U.S. government, public policy, national security, constitutionalism and more to solidify yourself as a trusted professional.

Access Faculty Experts

Be mentored by renowned scholars and practitioners committed to national service – and to your success.

Expand Your Reach

Join our global alumni network of government officials, consultants, policymakers and teachers in making a difference at home and abroad.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). We have also been recognized as a Military Friendly Top 5 School by Military Friendly®, 2024-25, and among the Top 10 Best for Vets Colleges: Online & Nontraditional by Military Times, 2020.

Presented from a Christian perspective, this degree is supported by our respected faculty in Virginia Beach.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Top 25 Best Master's Programs in Virginia, 2024, UniversityHQ.

Career Opportunities

On completing the M.A. in Government – American Government degree, you can:

Promote the pillars of American government, including the Bill of Rights, liberty, equal protection, and due process.
Apply a moral and ethical mindset when addressing and influencing policy.
Develop sound policies to strengthen communities and the nation.

Career Opportunities

Public Servant
Congressional Chief of Staff
Legislative Assistant
Political Consultant
High School Teacher
Elected Official

13%

Increase in Federal Employees with Graduate Degree U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
GOV 619	Constitutional Law & Policy I	3	Examines the history of the Constitution, the structure, power and limitations of each of the 3 branches of the federal government, the power and rights of the states, and the authority of local governments (counties and cities). Cross-listed with MLAW 619 and GOV 719.
GOV 620	Constitutional Law & Policy II	3	Considers the Bill of Rights (including the delicate relationship between church & state, freedom of speech and freedom of worship), the rights of liberty, equal protection and due process arising from the 14th Amendment, and the subsequent rise and effects of judicial policy-making (including the “right to privacy,” the “right to intimate sexual choice,” and the “right to die”). Cross-listed with EHEA 508, and MLAW 620.
GOV 628	The Law & Governance of Higher Education	3	Provides historical and contemporary legal issues that have and will continue to shape colleges and universities today. Discusses legal issues regarding the college and trustees, administrators and staff. Investigates the legal basis of higher education in the United States to include constitutional provisions and federal statutes that influence higher education policy. Prepares emergent administrators for preventative law measures in an increasing litigious environment. Cross-listed with EHEA 503 and 803.
GOV 634	Public Budgeting & Taxation Policy	3	Understanding the development of successful fiscal policy initiatives, the technical material and the political processes involved in making tax and spending policy to interact effectively with other professionals in the development, prosecution and ultimate attainment of a public policy objective. Cross-listed with GOV 734.
GOV 635	Presidency	3	Concepts and methodologies; the institution of the presidency including role of elections, ideology and party politics; methods for measuring success of presidential initiatives; executive power and relationship to legislative and judicial branches; relations with the media, with NGO’s, lobbies and international actors and organizations. Cross-listed with GOV 735.
GOV 636	Congress	3	Methodologies and concepts for the study of legislative politics; historical and contemporary legislative policymaking process, as well as relations with the executive and judicial branches, the role of lobbies and special interests and contemporary issues including polarization, the drawing of congressional districts and the role of ideology in Congress. Cross-listed with GOV 736.
GOV 637	Religion, Politics, & Law in America	3	This course explores how Christians in America engaged in politics and law from the early colonies to the present day. A central theme is how colonies, states, and the nation have approached religious liberty and church-state relations. Cross-listed with GOV 737.
GOV 677	Terrorism & Homeland Defense	3	Broadens individual understanding of the ever-changing nature of international terrorism and its consequences on American society at large. It covers the present-day US domestic and external responses to terrorism and focus on the rise of the US Homeland Security Agency. Also, there is a focus on trends in modern terrorism, especially the proliferation of WMD and what the US can do (or is doing) to counter such trends. Cross-listed with GOV 777.
GOV 632	International Security	3	This course offers a comprehensive overview of the study of international conflict and security. The goal is to provide students with a solid theoretical and conceptual foundation for understanding the causes, nature, and consequences of key developments in international conflict and cooperation. Cross-listed with GOV 732.
GOV 693	Managing Nonprofit & Faith-Based Organizations	3	From a strategic management perspective, explore principles and practices of management and administration as they apply to nonprofit organizations. Unique organizational issues covered include board-staff relations; recruiting and motivating volunteers; accountability; organizing for and managing growth; and strategies to respond to changes in the political, economic and cultural environment.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All 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 9	Monday, August 19
Session B	Friday, October 11	Monday, October 21
Session C	Wednesday, January 8	Monday, January 13
Session D	Friday, March 7	Monday, March 17
Session E	Friday, May 2	Monday, May 12
Session F	Friday, June 13	Monday, June 23

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 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.

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

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	6	$4,170
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	6	$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$930	6	$5,580

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per t2-atpsSemester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	9	$6,255
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	9	$6,255
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$930	9	$8,370

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

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	6	$4,170
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	6	$4,170
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$900	6	$5,400

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per t2-atpsSemester
Master of Arts (MA)	$695	9	$6,255
Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)	$695	9	$6,255
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	$900	9	$8,100

Student Fees Per Semester

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

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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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“I'm so glad Regent isn't afraid to engage with other viewpoints. It's a place where people are willing to debate their position honestly and without fear.”

Larry Mayes, M.A., 1998 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston

“All of my professors have such a passion for what they are teaching and it is contagious. RSG professors have first-hand knowledge about the subjects they teach. They emphasize that we can make moral arguments in the public sphere.”

Keelyn Geoghean, M.A., 2014

“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

“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