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 and government.

Programs

The Schar School offers various programs, including:

• Undergraduate programs
  • 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
  • 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
  • Biodefense, PhD
  • Political Science, PhD
    • PhD in Political Science Curriculum
  • Public Policy, PhD
    • PhD in Public Policy Curriculum
• Graduate Nondegree Studies
• Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's (BAM)
• Graduate Certificate Programs
  • 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
  • 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

Trade Compliance Certificate

The Trade Compliance Certificate is a graduate certificate program that provides students with the expertise to navigate the legal and regulatory framework governing international trade and foreign direct investment.

Program At-a-Glance

• Completion Requirements: 5 courses (15 credits)
• Duration: 1 to 1.5 years on average
• Semester of Entry: fall and spring
• Modality: entirely online & asynchronous

Certificate Program Requirements

The certificate program is comprised of five courses (15 credits), which includes:

• Required Courses (2 courses | 6 credits)
  • GCP 504: Microeconomics and Trade Policy (1-4 credits) Students take 3 credits.
  • GCP 740: Trade and Regulatory Compliance (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (3 courses | 9 credits)
  • Select three elective courses of your choosing related to trade compliance. Courses should be chosen in consultation with an advisor and approved in advance by the program director. Possible elective courses include:
    • BIOD 709: Nonproliferation and Arms Control (3 credits)
    • GCP 603: Global Trade Relations (3 credits)
    • GCP 770: International Contract Negotiation (3 credits)
    • POGO 732: Strategic Trade Controls (3 credits)
    • PUBP 763: Illicit Trade (3 credit)
    • PUBP 765: Human Smuggling and Trafficking (3 credits)

Apply This Certificate Toward Your Master's

Earn your master's degree faster by starting with a certificate program. Students can apply up to 12 credits from a certificate program toward a Schar School master's degree upon acceptance into a master's program.