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, policy advocacy, or service in federal, state, or local government.

Policies

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Banner Code: PP-BS-PUAD

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students must fulfill all Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees including the Mason Core. Students pursuing a BS in Public Administration must complete additional requirements for the BS degree in the Schar School of Policy and Government.

Students must earn a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course applied to the major, including GOVT courses as well as the supporting courses in other disciplines used to fulfill the requirements below. See an advisor before registering.

Core Courses

GOVT 101Democratic Theory and Practice (Mason Core)3
GOVT 103Introduction to American Government (Mason Core)3
GOVT 132Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core)3
or GOVT 133 Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core)
GOVT 300Research Methods and Analysis (Mason Core)4
GOVT 351Administration in the Political System3
GOVT 367Money, Markets and Economic Policy (Mason Core)3
GOVT 368Tools for Economic Policy Analysis3
One course (3 credits) in math or statistics in addition to the quantitative reasoning Mason Core requirement 13
Total Credits25
1

Cannot be used to fulfil the Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

Senior Seminar

GOVT 490Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core)3
or GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core)
Total Credits3

Public Administration Field Study

Students complete the degree by taking a minimum of 24 credits of advanced public administration field courses, with or without concentration24
Total Credits24

Students may complete a concentration of at least 12 credits in one field to fulfill a concentration. Students who do not wish to pursue a concentration may choose at least 24 credits from any of the advanced public administration courses listed below (with restrictions noted below) for a broader learning experience. Up to three credits of GOVT 399 Research Practicum and GOVT 480 Internship 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.

Advanced Public Administration courses 

ECON 309Economic Problems and Public Policies3
ECON 310Money and Banking3
ECON 335Environmental Economics3
ECON 355The Political Economy of Nonprofit Institutions (Mason Core)3
ECON 385International Economic Policy3
ECON 390International Economics3
GOVT 301Public Law and the Judicial Process3
GOVT 304American State and Local Government3
GOVT 305Contemporary American Federalism3
GOVT 307Legislative Behavior3
GOVT 308The American Presidency3
GOVT 311Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior3
GOVT 312Political Parties and Campaigns3
GOVT 313Political Psychology3
GOVT 318Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process3
GOVT 319Issues in Government and Politics1-3
GOVT 322International Relations Theory3
GOVT 339Issues in the Politics of Advanced Industrial Societies1-3
GOVT 343International Political Economy3
GOVT 344American Foreign Policy3
GOVT 346American Security Policy3
GOVT 347International Security3
GOVT 352Responsible Innovation3
GOVT 354Nonprofit Sector in Society3
GOVT 355Public Personnel Administration3
GOVT 356Public Budgeting and Finance3
GOVT 357Urban Planning3
GOVT 358Nonprofit Financial Planning4
GOVT 361Introduction to Environmental Policy3
GOVT 363Science and Technology Institutions/Policy3
GOVT 364Public Policy Making3
GOVT 366Public Policy Analysis3
GOVT 369Cybersecurity Policy 3
GOVT 400Issues in Political Analysis1-3
GOVT 409Virginia Government and Politics3
GOVT 412Politics and the Mass Media3
GOVT 433Political Economy of East Asia3
GOVT 446International Law and Organization3
GOVT 452Administrative Law and Procedures3
GOVT 461Governance in Space3
GOVT 462Public Interest Technology3
GOVT 464Issues in Public Policy and Administration1-3
GOVT 469Philosophy, Politics, and Economics3
INTS 331The Nonprofit Sector (Mason Core)4
INTS 431Principles of Fund Raising4

Concentrations

Students may partially satisfy the field focus requirement by completing at least 12 credits in any one (1) approved concentration as described below0-12
Total Credits0-12

Students pursuing a concentration will complete the degree by taking four courses (minimum of 12 credits) within one concentration, chosen from the lists of advanced field courses shown below, to complete a minimum of 24 credits of field courses.

Concentration Areas

Concentration in Administration and Management (ADMM)

GOVT 305Contemporary American Federalism3
GOVT 313Political Psychology3
GOVT 352Responsible Innovation3
GOVT 355Public Personnel Administration3
GOVT 356Public Budgeting and Finance3
GOVT 357Urban Planning3
GOVT 358Nonprofit Financial Planning4
GOVT 400Issues in Political Analysis1-3
GOVT 452Administrative Law and Procedures3
GOVT 461Governance in Space3

Concentration in Public Policy (PUBP)

GOVT 312Political Parties and Campaigns3
GOVT 313Political Psychology3
GOVT 318Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process3
GOVT 346American Security Policy3
GOVT 347International Security3
GOVT 357Urban Planning3
GOVT 361Introduction to Environmental Policy3
GOVT 363Science and Technology Institutions/Policy3
GOVT 364Public Policy Making3
GOVT 366Public Policy Analysis3
GOVT 369Cybersecurity Policy 3
GOVT 400Issues in Political Analysis1-3
GOVT 412Politics and the Mass Media3
GOVT 462Public Interest Technology3
GOVT 464Issues in Public Policy and Administration1-3
ECON 309Economic Problems and Public Policies3
ECON 335Environmental Economics3

Concentration in Nonprofit Management (NPMG)

GOVT 313Political Psychology3
GOVT 354Nonprofit Sector in Society3
GOVT 358Nonprofit Financial Planning4
ECON 355The Political Economy of Nonprofit Institutions (Mason Core)3
INTS 331The Nonprofit Sector (Mason Core)4
INTS 431Principles of Fund Raising4

Concentration in US Government Institutions (USGI)

GOVT 301Public Law and the Judicial Process3
GOVT 304American State and Local Government3
GOVT 305Contemporary American Federalism3
GOVT 307Legislative Behavior3
GOVT 308The American Presidency3
GOVT 311Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior3
GOVT 409Virginia Government and Politics3

Concentration in Economic Policy Analysis (ECPA)

ECON 309Economic Problems and Public Policies3
ECON 310Money and Banking3
ECON 335Environmental Economics3
ECON 355The Political Economy of Nonprofit Institutions (Mason Core)3
ECON 390International Economics3
GOVT 357Urban Planning3
GOVT 400Issues in Political Analysis1-3

Concentration in International Political Economy (IPE)

GOVT 322International Relations Theory3
GOVT 339Issues in the Politics of Advanced Industrial Societies1-3
GOVT 343International Political Economy3
GOVT 366Public Policy Analysis3
GOVT 433Political Economy of East Asia3
GOVT 446International Law and Organization3
GOVT 469Philosophy, Politics, and Economics3
ECON 385International Economic Policy3
ECON 390International Economics3

Individualized Concentration (IND)

Create your own concentration consisting of four upper level courses with Director approval 1
1

A minimum of two courses in this concentration must be advanced 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.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. 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.)
Foundation Requirements
Written Communication (lower-level)3
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Information Technology and Computing3
Exploration Requirements
Arts3
Global Contexts3
Global History3
Literature3
Natural Science7
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Just Societies (optional) 1
Integration Requirements
Written Communication (upper-level)3
Writing Intensive 23
Mason Apex 33
Total Credits40
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. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht 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 SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
GOVT 1013GOVT 1033
GOVT 132 or 1333STAT 2503
ENGH 101 or COMM 1013ENGH 101 or COMM 1013
Western Civ/World History 3Nat Science 14
MATH 1063Literature 3
 15 16
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
GOVT 3513ENGH 3023
GOVT 367 (Fall only)3GOVT 3683
Elective/Minor3GOVT Field 13
Elective/Minor3GOVT Field 23
Arts3GOVT 3004
 15 16
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
GOVT Field 33GOVT Field 53
GOVT Field 43GOVT Field 63
Nat Science 23Elective 3
Elective/Minor 3Elective/Minor3
Elective/Minor 3UL elective 3
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
GOVT Field 73GOVT 4903
GOVT Field 83Elective 3
Elective 3Elective 3
Elective/Minor 3Elective 3
Elective/Minor 3Elective/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 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

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 ToxinsGOVT 500 The Scientific Method and Research DesignBIOD 605 Emerging Infectious Diseases II: Viral AgentsBIOD 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:

GOVT 540International Relations3
POGO 511Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government3
PUBP 504Grand Strategy3
PUBP 506Ethics and the Use of Force3

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 EconomyGCP 501 Data Analysis for Global Political EconomyGCP 503 Macroeconomic Policy in the Global EconomyGCP 504 Microeconomics and Trade PolicyGCP 602 Global Financial Crises and InstitutionsGCP 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 DesignGOVT 510 American Government and PoliticsGOVT 520 Political TheoryGOVT 530 Comparative PoliticsGOVT 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 OrganizationsPOGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and GovernmentPUAD 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.

GOVT 500The Scientific Method and Research Design3
POGO 511Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government3
POGO 611Advanced Data Analysis for Policy and Government3
or POGO 646 Policy and Program Evaluation
PUAD 662National Budgeting3
PUBP 500Theory and Practice in Public Policy3
PUBP 503Culture, Organization, and Technology3
PUBP 570Policy Writing Fundamentals3

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).