Program Overview

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Global Commerce and Policy, MA

Overview

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

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.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 36

Core Courses

• GCP 500: Global Political Economy (3 credits)
• GCP 501: Data Analysis for Global Political Economy (3 credits)
• GCP 503: Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy (3 credits)
• GCP 504: Microeconomics and Trade Policy (3 credits)
• GCP 602: Global Financial Crises and Institutions (3 credits)
• GCP 603: Global Trade Relations (3 credits)
• GCP 605: Technology, Culture and Commerce (3 credits) Total Credits: 21

Electives

• Select 15 credits of electives in consultation with the student's advisor 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)

• Select four courses of the 15 elective credits within the area of concentration. Preapproved courses include:
  • BIOD 622: Negotiating in the International Arena
  • GCP 604: New Technologies in the Global Economy
  • GCP 612: International Business Operations and the Multinational Corporation
  • GCP 701: Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy
  • GCP 702: Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad
  • GCP 710: International Business Transactions: Finance and Investment
  • GCP 711: United States Law and Global Trade
  • GCP 712: World Trade Organization and Global Trade
  • GCP 736: Sources of Growth in East Asia
  • GCP 738: Fundamentals of International Marketing
  • GCP 740: Trade and Regulatory Compliance
  • GCP 758: Global Market Planning Practicum
  • GCP 761: European Political and Economic Union
  • GCP 767: Political Economy and Integration in Latin America
  • GCP 769: International Entrepreneurship
  • GCP 770: International Contract Negotiation
  • GCP 771: Trade, Investment, and Politics in South and Southeast Asia
  • GCP 791: Advanced Trade Policy
  • GOVT 742: International Negotiation
  • POGO 750: Topics in Policy and Government
  • PUAD 739: Issues in International Management
  • PUBP 710: Topics in Public Policy
  • PUBP 716: Transportation Operations and Logistics
  • PUBP 736: International Migration and Public Policy
  • PUBP 763: Illicit Trade
  • PUBP 764: Transnational Crime and Corruption
  • PUBP 765: Human Smuggling and Trafficking
  • PUBP 782: International Financial Policy
  • PUBP 783: Global Governance Total Credits: 12

Courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor.

Concentration in Global Development and Governance (GDGV)

• Select four courses of the 15 elective credits within the area of concentration. Preapproved courses include:
  • BIOD 620: Global Health Security Policy
  • BIOD 726: Food Security
  • GCP 701: Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy
  • GCP 702: Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy: Study Abroad
  • GCP 736: Sources of Growth in East Asia
  • GCP 760: International Environmental Politics
  • GCP 761: European Political and Economic Union
  • GCP 767: Political Economy and Integration in Latin America
  • GCP 769: International Entrepreneurship
  • GCP 770: International Contract Negotiation
  • GCP 771: Trade, Investment, and Politics in South and Southeast Asia
  • GOVT 631: Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions
  • GOVT 742: International Negotiation
  • POGO 730: Global Development and Human Security
  • PUAD 636: The NGO: Policy and Management
  • PUAD 739: Issues in International Management
  • PUBP 655: State- and Institution-Building
  • PUBP 710: Topics in Public Policy
  • PUBP 732: Labor Markets and Policies
  • PUBP 736: International Migration and Public Policy
  • PUBP 753: Ethics in Public Policy
  • PUBP 757: Public Policy in Global Health and Medical Practice
  • PUBP 758: Global Threats and Medical Policies
  • PUBP 760: Science and Technology Policy in the 21st Century
  • PUBP 761: Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy
  • PUBP 763: Illicit Trade
  • PUBP 764: Transnational Crime and Corruption
  • PUBP 765: Human Smuggling and Trafficking
  • PUBP 781: Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
  • PUBP 783: Global Governance
  • POGO 750: Topics in Policy and Government Total Credits: 12

Courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor.

Concentration in Global Risk and Strategy (GRS)

• Select four courses of the 15 elective credits within the area of concentration. Preapproved courses include:
  • BIOD 706: Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security
  • BIOD 620: Global Health Security Policy
  • BIOD 709: Nonproliferation and Arms Control
  • BIOD 722: Examining Terrorist Groups
  • BIOD 725: Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction
  • BIOD 726: Food Security
  • GCP 701: Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy
  • GCP 710: International Business Transactions: Finance and Investment
  • GCP 740: Trade and Regulatory Compliance
  • GCP 756: National Security and the Global Economy
  • GOVT 744: Foundations of Security Studies
  • GOVT 745: International Security
  • POGO 750: Topics in Policy and Government
  • PUAD 630: Emergency Planning and Preparedness
  • PUAD 504: Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice
  • PUAD 631: Disaster Response Operations and Recovery
  • PUAD 637: Managing Homeland Security
  • PUAD 727: Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making
  • PUBP 505: Politics and Practice of International Security Policy
  • PUBP 655: State- and Institution-Building
  • PUBP 710: Topics in Public Policy
  • PUBP 714: Topics in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics
  • PUBP 736: International Migration and Public Policy
  • PUBP 743: National Security Management and Policy
  • PUBP 751: International Police Operations
  • PUBP 759: National Security Law and Public Policy
  • PUBP 763: Illicit Trade
  • PUBP 764: Transnational Crime and Corruption
  • PUBP 765: Human Smuggling and Trafficking
  • PUBP 769: Political Violence and Terrorism Total Credits: 12

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).