Program Overview

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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 pursuing careers in policy, government, and international affairs. The school is located in the Washington, D.C. area, providing students with access to leading scholars and practitioners closely connected to the epicenter of policy-making and public service.

Undergraduate Programs

The Schar School offers several undergraduate programs, including:

• Global Opportunities
• Public Administration, BS
  • Northern Virginia Local Government Cohort
• 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 wish 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 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

Public Policy, MPP

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program at the Schar School prepares students to address a vast range of public concerns, including terrorism, human trafficking, gender studies, environmental hazards, and hunger. The program develops skills in policy-making and analysis necessary to understand and solve critical problems.

Skills You'll Gain

• Thorough understanding of policy formation
• Ability to critically analyze policy
• Grounding in economic theory
• Effective communication of policy ideas

A Degree That Works With Your Schedule

The MPP program can be earned:

• On-campus
• Entirely online in a synchronous 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.

No GRE Required to Apply

The MPP program does not require the GRE for admission.

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.

Full Application Requirements

The full application requirements for the MPP program include:

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Scholarships and Funding

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

Start Your Application

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Where Our Recent Graduates Work

Recent MPP graduates have found employment in various sectors, including:

• Academia: 8%
• Federal Government: 32%
• Multilateral/International: 5%
• NGO/Non-profit: 22%
• Private Sector - Consulting: 22%
• Private Sector - General: 8%
• State Government: 3%

Top Employers of Recent Graduates

Top employers of recent MPP graduates include:

• Accenture
• BAE Systems
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• CACI International
• CIA
• City of Falls Church
• Grant Thornton
• Inter-American Development Bank
• Northrop Grumman
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• SRA International
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. House of Representatives
• World Bank

A Degree Tailored to You

The MPP program allows students to pursue a public policy emphasis area, selecting from pre-defined areas or working with an advisor to craft a tailored focus area.

What You'll Study

The MPP program includes coursework in policy formation, analysis, and communication, as well as economic theory and other relevant topics.

Looking for a Full-Time, Accelerated Path into National Security?

The National Security and Public Policy (NSPP) Cohort is a one-year, full-time program designed for students who want to study national security and public policy in a highly structured and immersive environment.

Learn More About the NSPP Cohort

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What's the Difference between the MPP and MPA Degrees?

The MPP and MPA degrees differ in their focus and curriculum, with the MPP emphasizing policy analysis and the MPA emphasizing public administration.

Joint Degree in Law & Public Policy

The Schar School offers a joint degree program in law and public policy, allowing students to earn both a JD and an MPP.

Practitioner Faculty

The Schar School has over 90 faculty members, as well as hundreds of adjunct faculty, providing students with access to a variety of perspectives and subjects.

Meet Our Faculty

The Schar School faculty includes notable scholars and practitioners, such as Justin Gest, Dean Mark J. Rozell, Bonnie Stabile, Siona Listokin-Smith, Janine Wedel, Stephen Fuller, and many more.

Interested in a Graduate Certificate Instead?

The Schar School offers graduate certificates that require just five courses (15 credits) and can be applied to a master's degree if desired.