Bachelor’s Degrees in Government
Shape the Future Through Government, Policy and Leadership
When you pursue a bachelor’s degree in government at Grand Canyon University, you can gain the knowledge and skills to understand how societies are governed, how policies are formed and how leadership drives change. You’ll explore foundational concepts, including political theory and philosophy, gaining insight into the ideas that shape governance and law.
Bachelor of Arts in Government Programs at GCU
Our bachelor’s degrees in government explore the principles underlying political systems, public administration and decision-making processes. They can help you equip yourself with the tools to analyze complex issues and influence outcomes while helping you develop critical thinking, effective communication and ethical reasoning skills to address practical challenges in government and public administration.
To customize your education according to your interests, you can choose from specialized emphasis areas, such as public administration or legal studies. These options allow you to align your studies with your professional goals and deepen your expertise in the areas that matter most to you.
The bachelor’s in government with a legal studies emphasis combines political science and legal coursework, which can prepare students for law school and careers in public policy by enhancing critical thinking and practical skills, such as legal writing and policy analysis.
The public administration emphasis focuses on public policy and administration, state and local government, leadership ethics and policy implementation. Students examine the operations of local and state government and the policies that sustain and improve communities. The program can equip you with essential administrative skills for effective management in public service, which can prepare you to make an impact at the local and state levels.
Core Topics and Courses in the Government Major
The bachelor’s in government programs blend political science, law and public policy to build a strong foundation in governance and leadership.
While your courses will be centered on your chosen emphasis program, common areas of study may include:
Career Paths With a Bachelor of Arts in Government
A bachelor’s degree in government can prepare graduates for roles across multiple sectors by providing knowledge of governance, policy and leadership.(See disclaimer 1) This degree offers a solid foundation for positions that involve influencing decision-making and enhancing communities. It can also serve as a pathway to law school or further studies in public administration or political science.
Key industries for BA in Government graduates include:(See disclaimer 1)
Local, state and federal government
Education
Healthcare
Law and legal services
Law enforcement and public safety
Nonprofit organizations
Estimated growth for social and community service managers expected from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 2)
Median annual wage for social and community service managers in May 2024(See disclaimer 3)
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right degree in government is an important decision, and we’re here to guide you with answers to frequently asked questions to help you make an informed choice.
What jobs can you get with a bachelor’s in government?
What do you study in a bachelor’s in government?
Gain Insight Into Policy, Power and Public Service
Choosing an education at Grand Canyon University means earning your degree through a mission-driven approach that incorporates a Christian worldview and faith-integrated courses. Industry-aligned curriculum ensures that your education is relevant and applicable to practical situations. Additionally, with affordable tuition and scholarship opportunities, GCU makes earning your degree both accessible and cost-effective.
Grand Canyon University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that it meets rigorous academic standards. This accreditation enhances the recognition of degrees by employers and other accredited institutions and confirms that programs adhere to established quality benchmarks.
GCU offers a vibrant campus experience focused on supporting your academic and personal growth. Students benefit from faculty mentorship, a well-equipped library and career services to help prepare for post-graduation. Beyond academics, the campus is active with clubs, activities and leadership opportunities, providing numerous ways to get involved and make the most of your college experience.
Our flexible online bachelor’s in government programs are designed to fit your schedule, offering comprehensive student support resources. These include faculty mentorship, technical assistance, eBooks and interactive discussion boards. These tools can help you stay connected, engaged and supported throughout your academic journey, making it easier to balance your education with work, family and other commitments.
Student Resources
GCU offers resources for both online and on-campus students, including internship opportunities through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Below, you can access important information on admission requirements, tuition and financial aid options to help you plan your educational journey.
Explore the principles of government and public services through a curriculum grounded in ethical leadership and civic responsibility at GCU.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Political Scientists. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved December 2025.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, retrieved December 2025.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social and Community Service Managers as of May 2024, retrieved December 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as social and community service managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.