The Global Commerce and Policy, MA (GCP) is an interdisciplinary course of study to help students from around the world prepare for jobs in the new economy. Unlike traditional international affairs programs, the degree is focused on such international economic issues as global trade and investment. The MA in Global Commerce and Policy differs from an MBA program by providing training in the political, social, and technological aspects of the global economy. In today's world, it is critical for all participants in global markets to understand the multifaceted environment in which they work.
Faculty
The core faculty is augmented by adjunct faculty members who bring a wealth of practical knowledge and experience, as well as strong academic qualifications to the program. Adjuncts are drawn from the U.S. Commerce and State Departments, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the International Trade Commission, among other government agencies, as well as from the private sector, the think tank community, and trade associations.
Courses
Courses are offered primarily in the late afternoon and evening, as well as online, to fit the schedules of busy professionals. In addition to classroom study, the program emphasizes experiential learning by supporting student internships, cooperative education, and research activities with private- and public-sector employers, and sponsoring a variety of study-abroad experiences.
Admissions
Applications
Please see Graduate Admission Policies for general information on graduate admission to George Mason University. Specific information on application requirements and deadlines may be found on the Schar admissions website.
Students from all academic backgrounds are welcome to apply; however, some knowledge of economics, preferably through at least two undergraduate economics courses, is encouraged. While many students may have prior educational and work-related training in business and economics, others see the GCP Program as a bridge from government, education, and other non-business occupations to careers in the global economy.
Completed applications for fall and spring semesters are reviewed on a rolling basis, with late applications considered on a space-available basis. Students may be admitted for nondegree study and apply a limited number of credits toward the master's degree should they choose to apply to the degree program later, in accordance with university policy.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Termination from Program
Students admitted to an Schar graduate program will be terminated from Schar upon receiving one grade of F and are no longer eligible to take courses in Schar. Per university regulation, students are terminated from the university after accumulating grades of F in two courses or 9 credits of unsatisfactory grades in graduate courses.
Program Requirements
The GCP program requires 36 credits of coursework. All degree candidates must take 21 credits of work in required courses. The remaining 15 credits consist of electives that may include internships, independent studies, and study abroad. Upon entering the program students complete core courses first to prepare for higher-level elective coursework.
(Formerly: PP-MA-ICP)
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 36
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GCP 500 | Global Political Economy | 3 |
| GCP 501 | Data Analysis for Global Political Economy | 3 |
| or POGO 511 | Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government | |
| GCP 503 | Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy | 3 |
| GCP 504 | Microeconomics and Trade Policy | 3 |
| GCP 602 | Global Financial Crises and Institutions | 3 |
| GCP 603 | Global Trade Relations | 3 |
| GCP 605 | Technology, Culture and Commerce | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 15 credits of electives in consultation with the student's advisor | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentrations
If desired, a student has the option to declare one of three concentrations. Students without a concentration may select any GCP or POGO course, any courses from the concentrations listed below, or other courses as approved by the advisor or program director.
Concentration in Global Finance, Investment and Trade (GFIT)
Concentration in Global Development and Governance (GDGV)
Concentration in Global Risk and Strategy (GRS)
Concentration in Global Finance, Investment and Trade (GFIT)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses of the 15 elective credits within the area of concentration. Preapproved courses include the following: 1 | 12 | |
| Negotiating in the International Arena | ||
| New Technologies in the Global Economy | ||
| International Business Operations and the Multinational Corporation | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| International Business Transactions: Finance and Investment | ||
| United States Law and Global Trade | ||
| World Trade Organization and Global Trade | ||
| Sources of Growth in East Asia | ||
| Fundamentals of International Marketing | ||
| Trade and Regulatory Compliance | ||
| Global Market Planning Practicum | ||
| European Political and Economic Union | ||
| Political Economy and Integration in Latin America | ||
| International Entrepreneurship | ||
| International Contract Negotiation | ||
| Trade, Investment, and Politics in South and Southeast Asia | ||
| Advanced Trade Policy | ||
| International Negotiation | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Issues in International Management | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Transportation Operations and Logistics | ||
| International Migration and Public Policy | ||
| Illicit Trade | ||
| Transnational Crime and Corruption | ||
| Human Smuggling and Trafficking | ||
| International Financial Policy | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor.
Concentration in Global Development and Governance (GDGV)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses of the 15 elective credits within the area of concentration. Preapproved courses include the following: 1 | 12 | |
| Global Health Security Policy | ||
| Food Security | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Sources of Growth in East Asia | ||
| International Environmental Politics | ||
| European Political and Economic Union | ||
| Political Economy and Integration in Latin America | ||
| International Entrepreneurship | ||
| International Contract Negotiation | ||
| Trade, Investment, and Politics in South and Southeast Asia | ||
| Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions | ||
| International Negotiation | ||
| Global Development and Human Security | ||
| The NGO: Policy and Management | ||
| Issues in International Management | ||
| State- and Institution-Building | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Labor Markets and Policies | ||
| International Migration and Public Policy | ||
| Ethics in Public Policy | ||
| Public Policy in Global Health and Medical Practice | ||
| Global Threats and Medical Policies | ||
| Science and Technology Policy in the 21st Century | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy | ||
| Illicit Trade | ||
| Transnational Crime and Corruption | ||
| Human Smuggling and Trafficking | ||
| Entrepreneurship and Economic Development | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor.
Concentration in Global Risk and Strategy (GRS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses of the 15 elective credits within the area of concentration. Preapproved courses include the following: 1 | 12 | |
| Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security | ||
| Global Health Security Policy | ||
| Nonproliferation and Arms Control | ||
| Examining Terrorist Groups | ||
| Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction | ||
| Food Security | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
| International Business Transactions: Finance and Investment | ||
| Trade and Regulatory Compliance | ||
| National Security and the Global Economy | ||
| Foundations of Security Studies | ||
| International Security | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Emergency Planning and Preparedness | ||
| Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice | ||
| Disaster Response Operations and Recovery | ||
| Managing Homeland Security | ||
| Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making | ||
| Politics and Practice of International Security Policy | ||
| State- and Institution-Building | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Topics in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics | ||
| International Migration and Public Policy | ||
| National Security Management and Policy | ||
| International Police Operations | ||
| National Security Law and Public Policy | ||
| Illicit Trade | ||
| Transnational Crime and Corruption | ||
| Human Smuggling and Trafficking | ||
| Political Violence and Terrorism | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor.
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).