The BS in Public Administration provides students with the in-demand knowledge and expertise to lead change as they tackle real-world problems. The public administration program:
- Teaches students about governance, policy analysis, and management.
- Prepares students to lead change and advance the public good through nonprofit work, law, policy advocacy, or service in federal, state, or local government.
- Provides students with a foundation for graduate study in management and business, law, public policy, international affairs, global commerce, and international development.
Students may tailor the degree to their interests and career goals by pursuing one of eight optional concentrations.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students pursuing a BS in Public Administration and wishing to narrow their focus may choose to concentrate in one of eight public administration fields.
Required Courses for the BS
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| GOVT 101 | Democratic Theory and Practice (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GOVT 103 | Introduction to American Government (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GOVT 132 | Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or GOVT 133 | Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core) | |
| GOVT 300 | Research Methods and Analysis (Mason Core) | 4 |
| GOVT 351 | Administration in the Political System | 3 |
| GOVT 367 | Money, Markets and Economic Policy (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GOVT 368 | Tools for Economic Policy Analysis | 3 |
| One course (3 credits) in math or statistics in addition to the quantitative reasoning Mason Core requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar | 3 | |
| Select one from the following: | ||
| Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core) | ||
| Honors Seminar (Mason Core) 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 28 | |
- 1
Cannot be used to fulfill the Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
- 2
This option is for students who have been accepted to pursue honors in the major.
Public Administration Field Study
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students complete the degree by taking a minimum of 24 credits of upper-level public administration field courses, with or without concentration | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Students may complete a public administration concentration by taking twelve credits in one field plus twelve additional credits of upper-level government field courses. Students have the option of completing two concentrations by taking twelve credits in one field and twelve credits in a second field (without overlap).
Students who do not pursue a concentration may choose 24 credits from the upper-level public administration field courses listed below for a broader learning experience.
Up to three credits of GOVT 399 Research Practicum, GOVT 480 Internship, and GOVT 380 Experiential Learning may be used to fulfill the field course requirement with prior advisor approval. Up to six credits of GOVT 496 Directed Readings and Research may be used to fulfill this requirement with prior advisor approval. GOVT 490 Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core) or GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Upper-Level Public Administration courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 309 | Economic Problems and Public Policies | 3 |
| ECON 310 | Money and Banking | 3 |
| ECON 335 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ECON 355 | The Political Economy of Nonprofit Institutions | 3 |
| ECON 360 | Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 380 | Economies in Transition (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 385 | International Economic Policy | 3 |
| ECON 390 | International Economics | 3 |
| GOVT 301 | Public Law and the Judicial Process | 3 |
| GOVT 304 | American State and Local Government | 3 |
| GOVT 307 | Legislative Behavior | 3 |
| GOVT 308 | The American Presidency | 3 |
| GOVT 312 | Political Parties and Campaigns | 3 |
| GOVT 313 | Political Psychology | 3 |
| GOVT 318 | Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process | 3 |
| GOVT 319 | Issues in Government and Politics (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | 1-3 |
| GOVT 329 | Issues in Political Theories and Values (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | 1-3 |
| GOVT 322 | International Relations Theory | 3 |
| GOVT 339 | Issues in the Politics of Advanced Industrial Societies | 1-3 |
| GOVT 343 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| GOVT 344 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 346 | American Security Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 347 | International Security | 3 |
| GOVT 352 | Responsible Innovation | 3 |
| GOVT 354 | Nonprofit Sector in Society | 3 |
| GOVT 355 | Public Personnel Administration | 3 |
| GOVT 356 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| GOVT 357 | Urban Planning | 3 |
| GOVT 358 | Nonprofit Financial Planning | 4 |
| GOVT 361 | Introduction to Environmental Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 363 | Science and Technology Institutions/Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 364 | Public Policy Making | 3 |
| GOVT 366 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| GOVT 369 | Cybersecurity Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 400 | Issues in Political Analysis | 1-3 |
| GOVT 409 | Virginia Government and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 412 | Media and Political Controversy | 3 |
| GOVT 426 | Political Theory of Autonomous Algorithms | 3 |
| GOVT 446 | International Law and Organization | 3 |
| GOVT 452 | Administrative Law and Procedures | 3 |
| GOVT 460 | Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| GOVT 461 | Governance in Space | 3 |
| GOVT 462 | Public Interest Technology | 3 |
| GOVT 463 | Artificial Intelligence: Technological and Societal Implications | 3 |
| GOVT 464 | Issues in Public Policy and Administration | 1-3 |
| GOVT 469 | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics | 3 |
| GOVT 492 | Computing Ethics, Law and Policy Seminar (Mason Core) (May be taken as a field study course. Does not substitute for the GOVT 490/GOVT 491 requirement) | 3 |
| INTS 331 | The Nonprofit Sector (Mason Core) | 4 |
| INTS 431 | Principles of Fund Raising | 4 |
Concentrations
- Concentration in Administration and Management (ADMM)
- Concentration in Economic Policy Analysis (ECPA)
- Concentration in International Political Economy (IPE)
- Concentration in Nonprofit Management (NPMG)
- Concentration in Public Policy (PUBP)
- Concentration in Technology Policy (TCHP)
- Concentration in US Government Institutions (USGI)
- Individualized Concentration (IND)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 0-12 credits in any one concentration. | 0-12 | |
Students may partially satisfy the 24-credit field study requirement by completing twelve credits in any one approved concentration. Students have the option of completing two concentrations by taking twelve credits in one field and twelve credits in a second field (without overlap).
Concentration in Administration and Management (ADMM)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of coursework from the following options: | 12 | |
| Political Psychology | ||
| Responsible Innovation | ||
| Public Personnel Administration | ||
| Public Budgeting and Finance | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Planning | ||
| Issues in Political Analysis | ||
| Administrative Law and Procedures | ||
| Governance in Space | ||
| Artificial Intelligence: Technological and Societal Implications | ||
| Issues in Public Policy and Administration (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Economic Policy Analysis (ECPA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of coursework from the following options: | 12 | |
| Urban Planning | ||
| Issues in Political Analysis | ||
| Economic Problems and Public Policies | ||
| Money and Banking | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in International Political Economy (IPE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of coursework from the following options: | 12 | |
| International Relations Theory | ||
| Issues in the Politics of Advanced Industrial Societies | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| International Law and Organization | ||
| Philosophy, Politics, and Economics | ||
| Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) | ||
| Economies in Transition (Mason Core) | ||
| International Economic Policy | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Nonprofit Management (NPMG)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of coursework from the following options: | 12 | |
| Political Psychology | ||
| Nonprofit Sector in Society | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Planning | ||
| The Nonprofit Sector (Mason Core) | ||
| Principles of Fund Raising | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Public Policy (PUBP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of coursework from the following options: | 12 | |
| Political Parties and Campaigns | ||
| Political Psychology | ||
| Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process | ||
| American Security Policy | ||
| International Security | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Policy | ||
| Science and Technology Institutions/Policy | ||
| Public Policy Making | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Cybersecurity Policy | ||
| Issues in Political Analysis | ||
| Media and Political Controversy | ||
| Public Interest Technology | ||
| Artificial Intelligence: Technological and Societal Implications | ||
| Issues in Public Policy and Administration | ||
| Economic Problems and Public Policies | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Technology Policy (TCHP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of coursework from the following options: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Technology Policy (Mason Core) | ||
| Issues in Government and Politics (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | ||
| Responsible Innovation | ||
| Science and Technology Institutions/Policy | ||
| Cybersecurity Policy | ||
| Issues in Political Analysis (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | ||
| Political Theory of Autonomous Algorithms | ||
| Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | ||
| Governance in Space | ||
| Public Interest Technology | ||
| Artificial Intelligence: Technological and Societal Implications | ||
| Issues in Public Policy and Administration (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | ||
| Computing Ethics, Law and Policy Seminar (Mason Core) (does not fulfill the senior seminar requirement when used towards the concentration) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in US Government Institutions (USGI)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of coursework from the following options: | 12 | |
| Public Law and the Judicial Process | ||
| American State and Local Government | ||
| Legislative Behavior | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Issues in Government and Politics (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | ||
| Issues in Political Theories and Values (when relevant, with approval of Schar School advisor) | ||
| Virginia Government and Politics | ||
| Artificial Intelligence: Technological and Societal Implications | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Individualized Concentration (IND)
Create your own concentration consisting of twelve credits of upper-level coursework with Schar School advisor approval. A minimum of six credits in this concentration must be chosen from the list of upper-level public administration field courses.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors. Students majoring in public administration may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GOVT 490 Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core) or GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) in their major programs.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
All Integration-level requirements must be completed at George Mason and cannot be satisfied through transfer credit. These courses are integral to the university's educational philosophy and ensure that all graduates demonstrate proficiency in writing, critical thinking, and integrative learning consistent with the university's standards. Rare exceptions to this policy may only be granted by the Provost's Office.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories with the exception of Written Communication, which must be met by transferring in or taking an approved coruse at George Mason University. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
- VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
- VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (lower-level) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Just Societies (optional) 1 | ||
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (upper-level) | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Mason Apex 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Students who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in this area may choose to enroll in a Just Societies-flagged course. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely with their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.
- 2
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
- 3
Minimum 3 credits required.
Bachelors of Science in Public Administration Sample Plan of Study
The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| GOVT 101 | 3 | GOVT 103 | 3 |
| GOVT 132 or 133 | 3 | STAT 250 | 3 |
| ENGH 101 or COMM 101 | 3 | ENGH 101 or COMM 101 | 3 |
| Western Civ/World History | 3 | Nat Science 1 | 4 |
| MATH 106 | 3 | Literature | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| GOVT 351 | 3 | ENGH 302 | 3 |
| GOVT 367 (Fall only) | 3 | GOVT 368 | 3 |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | GOVT Field 1 | 3 |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | GOVT Field 2 | 3 |
| Arts | 3 | GOVT 300 | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| GOVT Field 3 | 3 | GOVT Field 5 | 3 |
| GOVT Field 4 | 3 | GOVT Field 6 | 3 |
| Nat Science 2 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | Elective/Minor | 3 |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | UL elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| GOVT Field 7 | 3 | GOVT 490 | 3 |
| GOVT Field 8 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective/Minor | 3 | Elective/Minor | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 122 | |||
Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/current-student/majors-at-mason/.
Honors in the Major
Highly qualified students majoring in Government and International Politics, International Security and Law, and Public Administration may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Those students selected for participation in this program take a two-course sequence: GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) and GOVT 496 Directed Readings and Research . To graduate with honors in the major, students must complete these courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.
- Bachelor's Degree (any)/Biodefense, Accelerated MS
- Bachelor's Degree (any)/International Security, Accelerated MA
- Bachelor's Degree (any)/Global Commerce and Policy, Accelerated MA
- Bachelor's Degree (any)/Political Science, Accelerated MA
- Bachelor's Degree (any)/Public Administration, Accelerated MPA
- Bachelor's Degree (any)/Public Policy, Accelerated MPP
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Biodefense, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly qualified undergraduates in any major may apply to the accelerated Biodefense, MS. If accepted, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in their current undergraduate major and a Schar School master’s degree within a reduced timeframe.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission
Please see the Graduate Admissions Policies for general information on graduate admissions to George Mason University. Information specific to the accelerated master’s program may be found on the Schar School BAM website.
To be considered for this accelerated master's program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits and have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all coursework applied to the degree.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students may complete up to fifteen graduate credits of which twelve may be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Remaining credits may be held as reserve graduate credit and count only toward the master's degree. The courses include BIOD 604 Emerging Infectious Diseases I: Bacteria and Toxins, GOVT 500 The Scientific Method and Research Design, BIOD 605 Emerging Infectious Diseases II: Viral Agents, BIOD 620 Global Health Security Policy and BIOD 609 Biodefense Strategy. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these courses and in coursework applied to their major.
Upon completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to apply credits to the master's degree. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree (excluding summer).
Bachelor's Degree (any)/International Security, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates in any major may apply to the accelerated MA degree program in International Security. If accepted, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in their current undergraduate major and a Schar School master’s degree within a reduced timeframe. More information on bachelor's/accelerated master's programs may be found in AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. See AP.6.9 Requirements for Master's Degrees.
Admission
Please see the Graduate Admissions Policies for general information on graduate admissions to George Mason University. Information specific to the accelerated master’s program may be found on the Schar School BAM website.
To be considered for this accelerated master's program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits and have a minimum GPA of 3.60 in all coursework applied to the degree.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students may complete up to twelve graduate credits, all of which may be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Any remaining credits may be held as reserve graduate credit and count only toward the master's degree. The courses are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 540 | International Relations | 3 |
| POGO 511 | Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government | 3 |
| or GCP 501 | Data Analysis for Global Political Economy | |
| PUBP 504 | Grand Strategy | 3 |
| PUBP 506 | Ethics and the Use of Force | 3 |
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these courses and in coursework applied to their major.
Upon completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to apply credits to the master's degree. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree (excluding summer).
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Global Commerce and Policy, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates in any major may apply to the accelerated MA degree program in Global Commerce and Policy. If accepted, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in their current undergraduate major and a Schar School master’s degree within a reduced timeframe. More information on bachelor's/accelerated master's programs may be found in AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. See AP.6.9 Requirements for Master's Degrees.
Admission
Please see the Graduate Admissions Policies for general information on graduate admissions to George Mason University. Information specific to the accelerated master’s program may be found on the Schar School BAM website.
To be considered for this accelerated master's program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including at least 12 credits of Government, Economics, and/or Global Affairs courses, and have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all coursework applied to the degree.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students may complete up to eighteen graduate credits of which twelve may be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. The remaining credits may be held as reserve graduate credit and count only toward the master's degree. The courses include GCP 500 Global Political Economy, GCP 501 Data Analysis for Global Political Economy, GCP 503 Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy, GCP 504 Microeconomics and Trade Policy, GCP 602 Global Financial Crises and Institutions, GCP 603 Global Trade Relations, and GCP 605 Technology, Culture and Commerce. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these courses and in coursework applied to their major.
Upon completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to apply credits to the master's degree. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree (excluding summer).
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Political Science, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates in any major may apply to the accelerated MA degree in political science. If accepted, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in their current undergraduate major and a Schar School master’s degree within a reduced timeframe. More information on bachelor's/accelerated master's programs may be found in AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. See AP.6.9 Requirements for Master's Degrees.
Admission
Please see the Graduate Admissions Policies for general information on graduate admissions to George Mason University. Information specific to the accelerated master’s program may be found on the Schar School BAM website.
To be considered for this accelerated master's program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including 12 GOVT credits, and have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all coursework applied to the degree.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students may complete up to eighteen graduate credits of which twelve may be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Remaining credits may be held as reserve graduate credit and count only toward the master's degree. The courses are chosen from GOVT 500 The Scientific Method and Research Design, GOVT 510 American Government and Politics, GOVT 520 Political Theory, GOVT 530 Comparative Politics, GOVT 540 International Relations and POGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these courses and in coursework applied to their major.
Upon completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to apply credits to the master's degree. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree (excluding summer).
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Public Administration, Accelerated MPA
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates in any major may apply to the accelerated master's degree in public administration. If accepted, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in their current undergraduate major and a Schar School master’s degree within a reduced timeframe. See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission
Please see the Graduate Admissions Policies for general information on graduate admissions to George Mason University. Information specific to the accelerated master’s program may be found on the Schar School BAM website.
To be considered for this accelerated master's program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including 12 GOVT credits, and have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all coursework applied to the degree.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students may complete up to eighteen graduate credits of which twelve may be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Remaining credits may be held as reserve graduate credit and count only toward the master's degree. The courses include PUAD 502 Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations, POGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government, PUAD 520 Organization Theory and Management Behavior and PUAD 540 Public Policy Process. Additionally, students can take one of the methods core courses (PUAD 613 Economic Analysis in Public Administration, PUAD 645 Policy Analysis, POGO 611 Advanced Data Analysis for Policy and Government or POGO 646 Policy and Program Evaluation) and one of the finance/budgeting/accounting core courses (PUAD 660 Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance, PUAD 662 National Budgeting, PUAD 663 State and Local Budgeting or PUAD 664 Nonprofit Financial Management). Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these courses and in coursework applied to their major.
Upon completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to apply credits to the master's degree. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree (excluding summer).
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Public Policy, Accelerated MPP
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates in any major may apply to the accelerated Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. If accepted, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in their current undergraduate major and a Schar School master’s degree within a reduced timeframe. More information on bachelor's/accelerated master's programs may be found in AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. See AP.6.9 Requirements for Master's Degrees.
Admission
Please see the Graduate Admissions Policies for general information on graduate admissions to George Mason University. Information specific to the accelerated master’s program may be found on the Schar School BAM website.
To be considered for this accelerated master's program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including 12 credits of Government and/or Economics courses, and have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all coursework applied to the degree.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students may complete up to fifteen graduate credits of which twelve may be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Remaining credits may be held as reserve graduate credit and count only toward the master's degree.. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in each course. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these courses and in coursework applied to their major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 500 | The Scientific Method and Research Design | 3 |
| POGO 511 | Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government | 3 |
| POGO 611 | Advanced Data Analysis for Policy and Government | 3 |
| or POGO 646 | Policy and Program Evaluation | |
| PUAD 662 | National Budgeting | 3 |
| PUBP 500 | Theory and Practice in Public Policy | 3 |
| PUBP 503 | Culture, Organization, and Technology | 3 |
| PUBP 570 | Policy Writing Fundamentals | 3 |
Upon completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to apply credits to the master's degree. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree (excluding summer).