Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Schar School of Policy and Government

The Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University offers a wide range of programs for students interested in policy, government, and international affairs. The school provides a comprehensive education in these fields, preparing students for careers in government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.

Undergraduate Programs

The Schar School offers several undergraduate programs, including:

• Global Opportunities
• Public Administration, BS
• BA in International Security and Law
• Major in Government and International Politics
• Government and International Politics Concentrations
  • Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Concentration
• First-Year Learning Community
• Technology Policy
• Undergraduate Minors and Joint Programs
  • How to Declare a Minor
• Schar School Undergraduate Student Liaisons
• Prepare for a Career in Law

Master's Programs

The Schar School offers several master's programs, including:

• MS in Biodefense
  • Biodefense MS Degree Requirements
• Master's in Global Commerce and Policy
  • Global Commerce and Policy Curriculum
• MA in International Security
  • International Security MA Degree Requirements
• Organization Development and Knowledge Management
  • Coaching Skills for Organizational Transformation
  • Organization Development and Knowledge Management Curriculum
  • Organization Development and Knowledge Management Program Information and Schedule
• MA in Political Science
  • MA in Political Science Degree Requirements
  • Master's in Political Science Faculty
• MPA in Public Administration
  • Is a Master of Public Administration Degree Right for You?
  • Master's in Public Administration Faculty
  • Master's in Public Administration Program Curriculum
• MPP in Public Policy
  • Is a Master of Public Policy Degree Right for You?
  • Master of Public Policy Curriculum
  • Public Policy, Master's in Public Policy Emphasis Areas
• NSPP Cohort
• Graduate Student Ambassadors
• The Difference between the MPP and MPA Degrees

PhD Programs

The Schar School offers several PhD programs, including:

• Biodefense, PhD
• Political Science, PhD
  • PhD in Political Science Curriculum
• Public Policy, PhD
  • PhD in Public Policy Curriculum

Graduate Nondegree Studies

The Schar School also offers graduate nondegree studies for students who want to take courses without pursuing a degree.

Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's (BAM)

The Schar School offers a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's (BAM) program, which allows students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in an accelerated timeframe.

Graduate Certificate Programs

The Schar School offers several graduate certificate programs, including:

• Global Economic Policy Certificate
• Biodefense Certificate
• Emergency Management and Homeland Certificate
• Global Health and Security Certificate
• Illicit Trade Analysis Certificate
• National Security and Public Policy Certificate
• Nonprofit Management Certificate
• Public Management Certificate
• Science, Technology, and Security Certificate
• Terrorism and Homeland Security Certificate
• Trade Compliance Certificate

Executive Education

The Schar School offers executive education programs, including:

• Executive Certificate in Higher Impact Leadership
• Executive Education: Program Areas
• Research & Fellowship Program
• Young Scholars Research Program
  • NextGen Science: Machine Learning & Bioinformatics
  • Three-month Internship - NASA Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Paper Writing - Summer 2025
  • BioScience: AI & Life Science in Disease Research
  • Young Scholars Publications
• Customized Programs
  • International Clients
  • Private Sector Focus
  • Public Sector Focus

Master of Arts in Global Commerce and Policy

The Master of Arts in Global Commerce and Policy program combines the best of both a traditional international affairs degree and a business degree. The program requires 12 courses (36 total credits), including seven core courses:

• Global Political Economy
• Technology, Culture, and Commerce
• Microeconomics and Trade Policy
• Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy
• Global Trade Relations
• Global Financial Crises and Institutions
• Data Analysis for Global Political Economy or Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government

Skills You'll Gain

The Master of Arts in Global Commerce and Policy program will provide you with the skills to:

• Understand the basic principles of international relations, global political economy, and comparative politics
• Deploy micro- and macroeconomic analytical techniques to policy analysis in global trade, finance, and development
• Understand the institutional structures of global trade, finance, and development
• Understand, access, and make use of global trade, financial, and development data

A Degree That Works With Your Schedule

The Master of Arts in Global Commerce and Policy program can be earned:

• On-campus
• Entirely online in an asynchronous format
• Through a combination of on-campus and online classes
• Part-time or full-time Classes are offered in the evening to accommodate working students.

D.C. and Maryland Pricing Discount

Master's or certificate students who reside in Washington, D.C., and Maryland can qualify for a tuition rate equivalent to the in-state rate.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

The application requirements and deadlines for the Master of Arts in Global Commerce and Policy program can be found on the Schar School's website.

Scholarships and Funding

The Schar School offers various scholarships and funding opportunities for students.

Where Our Recent Graduates Work

Recent graduates of the Master of Arts in Global Commerce and Policy program have gone on to work in a variety of fields, including:

• Federal Government: 20%
• Local Government: 10%
• Multilateral/International: 10%
• NGO/Non-profit: 20%
• Private Sector - Consulting: 20%
• Private Sector - General: 20%

Top Employers of Recent Graduates

Some of the top employers of recent graduates of the Master of Arts in Global Commerce and Policy program include:

• BAE Systems Inc.
• Bloomberg
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Fannie Mae
• Honeywell
• Inter-American Development Bank
• International Monetary Fund
• Northrop Grumman
• The World Bank
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of the Treasury

Practitioner Faculty

The Schar School's faculty includes leading practitioners who are internationally recognized for their scholarship and advisory roles in the public and private sectors. These faculty bring real-world experience to the classroom, providing students with the mentorship and skill sets needed to advance in their careers.