Program Overview

Program Summary

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government is a hybrid or 100% online program that requires 36-39 credits to complete. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of leadership, management, policy, and politics, as well as the tools to enhance their communication, budgeting, and analytic skills.

Program Description

Sound leadership and management are vital to organizational and governmental effectiveness. The MPA program at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government puts students on a path toward senior-level positions in organizations that implement and manage public policies. In this program, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how leadership, management, policy, and politics intersect, along with the tools to enhance their communication, budgeting, and analytic skills.

Careers

The Master of Public Administration program prepares students for a range of industries and roles in the public and private sectors. Top employers of MPA program graduates include:

• Arlington County Government
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Deloitte Consulting
• Fairfax County Government
• FBI
• IBM
• ICF International
• Lockheed Martin
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
• Pan American Development Foundation
• Peace Corps
• Social Security Administration
• SRA International
• Vanguard Communications
• World Bank

Courses

Program requirements may change; please refer to the Public Administration, MPA program page in the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements. 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. 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.

Details

Who should apply?

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.

Tuition & Financial Aid

All of Mason's tuition rates and fees can be found on the Student Accounts site. In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. For information on loans, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding merit scholarships and Regional Pricing, please inquire with the graduate department. Additionally, visit the Office of Military Services for information about Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA), a benefit for eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

Application Requirements

• Graduate application and fee
• 750-1,000 word written statement of goals and interest in the program
• Current resume
• Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. For international institutions, transcripts may be unofficial but should include cumulative transcripts, degree certificate, individual semester marksheets (if applicable), and diploma (if applicable)
• Two letters of recommendation. At least one recommendation should be from an individual who is qualified to attest to the candidate's academic potential
• Additional requirements for applicants with international credentials