The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is designed for people who hold or aspire to hold leadership positions in organizations that participate in the development and implementation of public policy. The mission of the MPA program is to give graduate students the opportunity to build their knowledge of politics, public policy and management and to enhance their analytic, problem solving, and communication skills.
MPA students at Mason have the research and cultural resources of the Washington, D.C. area at their disposal. Government agencies representing all levels in the U.S. federal system are located close to the campus, as are the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. Another benefit is the wide range of internship opportunities available in governmental and nonprofit organizations. The MPA Program regularly has internship invitations from national, state, and local government organizations, as well as from nonprofit organizations whose principal work is at the local, state, national, or international levels. Many of these internships are paid positions.
MPA courses are held at the Fairfax and the Arlington campuses during the week and on the weekend in an accelerated format.
Admissions
Requirements
See Graduate Admission Policies for general information on graduate admission to George Mason University. Specific information on application requirements and deadlines may be found with Schar Admissions.
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 and school policy.
Policies
Termination from Program
Students admitted to a Schar 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. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.
Program Requirements
The MPA curriculum is arranged in a sequential manner. PUAD 500-level courses are foundation courses, 600-level courses are intermediate courses, and the 700-level courses are advanced courses. Students must take PUAD 500-level, or foundation courses, during the first two semesters, followed by 600-level classes. The PUAD 700-level courses should be taken during the last semester or two of enrollment in the MPA program.
For example, a full-time student should enroll in PUAD 502 Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations and two other 500-level courses, such as POGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government and PUAD 520 Organization Theory and Management Behavior, during the first semester. In the second semester the student should enroll in PUAD 540 Public Policy Process and two intermediate courses such as PUAD 662 National Budgeting and a 600-level elective course.
Part-time students taking two courses a semester should take PUAD 502 Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations and either POGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government or PUAD 520 Organization Theory and Management Behavior during the first semester, followed by either POGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government or PUAD 520 Organization Theory and Management Behavior and PUAD 540 Public Policy Process in the second semester.
Requests for taking a course out of sequence must be made in writing to the student's advisor and must be approved by the advisor before enrollment.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 36-39
The required courses emphasize the development of knowledge about public policy and management, as well as analytical problem-solving and communication skills, and third-party governance. Through these courses, students develop a shared knowledge base and skill set. The elective courses can be used by students to focus their knowledge and skill development within one concentration. Alternatively, the electives can be used to extend the breadth of study with courses drawn from a variety of concentrations or from other departments and schools across the university.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POGO 511 | Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government | 3 |
| PUAD 502 | Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| PUAD 520 | Organization Theory and Management Behavior | 3 |
| PUAD 540 | Public Policy Process | 3 |
| PUAD 700 | Ethics and Public Administration | 3 |
| PUAD 703 | Collaborative Public Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Additional Methods Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| The Scientific Method and Research Design | ||
| Advanced Data Analysis for Policy and Government | ||
| Policy and Program Evaluation | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Accounting, Budgeting, and Financial Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance | ||
| National Budgeting | ||
| State and Local Budgeting | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Management | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four electives 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Students may take their electives within one of the concentrations which follow. As an alternative, with the approval of their advisor, students may select their electives from several concentrations or fields. Students not pursuing a concentration may select electives from Schar course offerings.
Concentrations
Students may declare only one concentration. POGO 796 Directed Readings and Research may be applied to a concentration where content is appropriate and with prior written approval of the student's advisor. Other courses may also be applied to a concentration with prior written approval of the advisor.
Concentrations
- Concentration in Administration of Justice (ADJ)
- Concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS)
- Concentration in Environmental Science and Public Policy (EVPP)
- Concentration in Human Resources Management (HRM)
- Concentration in International Management (IM)
- Concentration in Nonprofit Management (NPMG)
- Concentration in Policy Studies (PS)
- Concentration in Public Management (PMG)
- Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Finance (PNF)
- Concentration in State and Local Government (SLG)
- Concentration in Managing Across Sectors (MAS)
Concentration in Administration of Justice (ADJ)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Justice Organizations and Processes | ||
| Policing | ||
| Justice Organizations | ||
| Street Level Criminal Justice | ||
| Justice Program Evaluation | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Information Management: Technology and Policy | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Legal Dimensions of Homeland Security | ||
| Risk Communication | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Emergency Planning and Preparedness | ||
| Disaster Response Operations and Recovery | ||
| Terrorism: Theory and Practice | ||
| Hazard Mitigation Policy | ||
| Management of International Security | ||
| Emergency Preparedness: Interagency Communication and Coordination | ||
| Managing Homeland Security | ||
| Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making | ||
| Homeland/Transportation Security Administration | ||
| Issues in International Security | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Transportation Safety and Security | ||
| Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis for Public Policy | ||
| Global Threats and Medical Policies | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Environmental Science and Public Policy (EVPP)
CONF 695 Selected Topics and COMM 590 Seminar in Communication when topic is the environment, may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the student's advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUAD 642 | Environmental Policy | 3 |
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Seminar in Communication | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| Introduction to Environmental and Resource Economics | ||
| Fundamentals of Ecology | ||
| Corporate Environmental Management and Policy | ||
| Environmental Science and Public Policy | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Policy and Program Evaluation 1 | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Policy Analysis | ||
| Advocacy and Lobbying | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
If not already taken to meet core requirements.
Concentration in Human Resources Management (HRM)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUAD 670 | Human Resources Management in the Public Sector | 3 |
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Managing Government Contracting | ||
| Leading in the Nonprofit Sector | ||
| Public Employee Labor Relations | ||
| Human Resources Reforms for Public Administration | ||
| Issues in Public Management | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Industrial and Personnel Testing and Evaluation | ||
| Survey of Industrial-Organizational Psychology | ||
| Training: Psychological Contributions to Theory, Design, and Evaluation | ||
| Survey of Organizational Processes | ||
| Behavior in Small Groups and Teams | ||
| Seminar in Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
| ODKM 605 | Group Dynamics and Team Learning | 3 |
| Creating Learning Organizations | ||
| Consulting Skills for Organizational Change | ||
| Organizational Development Practices | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Managing Human Capital | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentration in International Management (IM)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUAD 504 | Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Management of International Security | ||
| The NGO: Policy and Management | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Issues in International Security | ||
| Issues in International Management | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
With written prior approval of the director.
Concentration in Nonprofit Management (NPMG)
Students in the nonprofit concentration may take PUAD 505 Introduction to Management of Nonprofits as one of their first four courses and may take PUAD 505 Introduction to Management of Nonprofits simultaneously with PUAD 502 Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. Likewise, students in the international concentration may take PUAD 504 Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice as one of their first four courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUAD 505 | Introduction to Management of Nonprofits | 3 |
| PUAD 659 | Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| The NGO: Policy and Management | ||
| Advocacy and Lobbying | ||
| Leading in the Nonprofit Sector | ||
| The Community, Marketing, and Public Relations | ||
| Nonprofit Fund Raising and Resource Development | ||
| Association Management | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise | ||
| Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Management | ||
| Public Technology Management | ||
| Performance Measurement | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Policy Studies (PS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Seminar on the Presidency | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Program Planning and Implementation | ||
| Policy Analysis | ||
| Advocacy and Lobbying | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise | ||
| Public Budgeting Systems | ||
| National Budgeting | ||
| State and Local Budgeting | ||
| Public Technology Management | ||
| Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Issues in Public Policy | ||
| Information Management: Technology and Policy | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Policy and Program Evaluation | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Public Management (PMG)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Program Planning and Implementation | ||
| Managing Government Contracting | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise | ||
| Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance | ||
| Public Budgeting Systems | ||
| National Budgeting | ||
| State and Local Budgeting | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Management | ||
| Human Resources Management in the Public Sector | ||
| Human Resources Reforms for Public Administration | ||
| Leadership Skills for the 21st Century | ||
| Public Technology Management | ||
| Performance Measurement | ||
| Issues in Public Management | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Homeland/Transportation Security Administration | ||
| Information Management: Technology and Policy | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Policy and Program Evaluation | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Finance (PNF)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise | ||
| Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance | ||
| Public Budgeting Systems | ||
| National Budgeting | ||
| State and Local Budgeting | ||
| Nonprofit Financial Management | ||
| Issues in Public Management | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Issues in Public Financial Management | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in State and Local Government (SLG)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Introduction to Management of Nonprofits | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Managing Government Contracting | ||
| Emergency Planning and Preparedness | ||
| Virginia Politics, Policy, and Administration | ||
| Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance | ||
| Public Budgeting Systems | ||
| National Budgeting | ||
| State and Local Budgeting | ||
| Public Technology Management | ||
| Issues in Public Management | ||
| Professional Development Workshop | ||
| Issues in Local Government Administration | ||
| Information Management: Technology and Policy | ||
| Leadership Skills for the 21st Century | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Managing Across Sectors (MAS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad | ||
| Economic Analysis in Public Administration | ||
| Program Planning and Implementation | ||
| Managing Government Contracting | ||
| Emergency Preparedness: Interagency Communication and Coordination | ||
| The NGO: Policy and Management | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise | ||
| Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics | ||
| Topics in Public Policy | ||
| Topics in Policy and Government | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Professional Experience Requirement
Certification that the student has experience in public administration outside the classroom and is ready to take leadership responsibilities must be exhibited by one of two ways:
- relevant professional experience, approved by the program director
- completion of PUAD 792 Advanced Seminar in Applied Public Administration Research
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PUAD 792 | Advanced Seminar in Applied Public Administration Research | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
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).