John Hopkins University

What you'll study

The Political Science and Government major at Johns Hopkins combines foundational courses in political theory and institutions with advanced training in empirical methods and substantive fields of politics. You will take core modules in political theory, American politics, comparative politics, and international relations, alongside research methods and statistics courses that train you to design studies, analyse data and evaluate public policy.

• Core subjects: political theory; American politics and institutions; comparative politics; international relations.
• Research and methods: quantitative methods, qualitative approaches, research design, data analysis/statistics.
• Substantive elective areas: public policy, political economy, gender and politics, race and politics, human rights, security studies.
• Capstone and independent research: many students complete a senior seminar, capstone project or an honours thesis under faculty supervision to synthesise disciplinary knowledge and original research.
• Cross-disciplinary options: opportunities to combine study with economics, sociology, public health, international studies (including pathways to the School of Advanced International Studies for graduate study), or to take courses across the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

Undergraduates also participate in seminars, practicum courses, and fieldwork. The programme emphasises close faculty mentorship, empirical skills, and real-world applications through internships and research centres affiliated with the university.

Entry requirements

Admission to Johns Hopkins is competitive and assessed holistically. Prospective students are expected to demonstrate strong academic achievement in secondary school, with rigorous coursework in social studies, history, mathematics and writing. Typical successful applicants show evidence of:

• Consistently strong grades in college-preparatory subjects.
• Challenging coursework (advanced or honours classes, where available).
• Clear interest in politics or public affairs demonstrated through essays, extracurricular activities, internships, or volunteer work.
• For international applicants, an equivalent secondary school diploma and proficiency in English, shown via recognised language qualifications where required.

Specific undergraduate admissions criteria and application components (such as standardised testing policies, recommendations, and essays) are set by the university admissions office and can change over time; applicants should consult the official Johns Hopkins admissions guidance for current requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates with a political science and government degree from Johns Hopkins enter diverse career paths. The programme’s analytical and research training prepares students for roles including:

• Policy analyst or researcher in government agencies, legislatures, and public-sector bodies.
• Positions in international organisations, NGOs and advocacy groups.
• Work in think tanks, research institutes and public affairs consultancies.
• Journalism, communications, and political campaigning.
• Legal careers (many graduates pursue law school) and roles in public administration.
• Business, corporate government relations, and consulting where public policy knowledge and analytical skills are valued.

Students benefit from Johns Hopkins’ career services, alumni network and proximity to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., which support internship placements and employer connections that help launch professional careers or further study.

Why study at Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins offers a research-intensive undergraduate environment with faculty who are active scholars in political science and related fields. The department’s emphasis on empirical methods and original research distinguishes the programme for students seeking strong analytical preparation.

• Research opportunities: access to faculty-led research projects, undergraduate research awards and centres that focus on public policy, global security and international studies.
• Interdisciplinary links: easy collaboration across schools and departments, including economics, public health and international studies, allowing students to tailor programmes toward public policy, security, or global affairs.
• Internships and location: strong internship pipelines and partnerships in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., enabling practical experience in government, advocacy and policy research.
• Close mentorship: small seminars and opportunities for one-to-one supervision on capstone projects or honours theses.

These features make Johns Hopkins a strong choice for students seeking a rigorous, research-led education in political science with clear pathways to careers in public life, policy, law and international affairs.