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 pursuing careers in public policy, government, and international affairs.

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

Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program at the Schar School is designed to teach students to analyze and create policies that address difficult public challenges. The program includes a core curriculum covering practice, analysis, governance, and economics, as well as a public policy emphasis area. Students can select from among 14 predefined areas of emphasis or work with their advisor to craft a tailored focus area.

What is an MPP degree?

A Master of Public Policy degree teaches students to analyze and create policies that address difficult public challenges such as health care, education, environmental sustainability, terrorism, and more.

What will I study?

The Schar School offers one of the most flexible and individualized public policy master's programs available. The program involves a good amount of applied math and data analysis.

What differentiates the Schar School's MPP program?

The MPP program at the Schar School provides students with a robust education and helps them gain work experience in the nation's capital. The program includes a professional internship component and a partnership with the Partnership for Public Service, which guarantees a 10- to 12-week internship at a federal agency with a $3,500 stipend.

How long does the program take?

The Master of Public Policy program gives students the flexibility to earn their degree on a part-time or full-time basis, online or in person. The program typically takes two years for full-time students or two to three years for part-time students.

What kind of job can I get with an MPP?

A public policy master's degree can open doors to various careers, including policy analyst, government official, and nonprofit leader. Schar School MPP graduates have found positions in federal, state, and local government, NGOs, nonprofits, the private sector, think tanks, and research centers.

Why the Schar School?

The Schar School offers several advantages, including its location just a few miles from downtown Washington, D.C., flexibility in its program offerings, and experience gained through internships. The school also offers a competitive tuition rate and a regional pricing policy for students living in Washington, D.C. or Maryland.