Overview
George Mason University began as the northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia in 1957 before being established as an independent member of the commonwealth's system of colleges and universities in 1972.

In fall 2007, the School of Public Policy (SPP) enrolled 889 students in its various graduate programs. Fifty percent were women; 23 percent were members of minority groups; and 12 percent were international students. Fifteen percent were enrolled in the Ph.D. program and 83 percent were enrolled in the various master's programs. Seventy-two percent enrolled part-time, while 25 percent enrolled full-time.

Upon completion of degree requirements, graduates find employment in academic institutions, federal and state agencies and departments, international businesses and banks, law firms, consulting firms, think tanks, and not-for-profit organizations. Many international students return home to work in the public and private sectors. SPP provides career advisement, internship, and placement support for all students.

The Location and Community
Located in Northern Virginia, George Mason is only 15 miles from all the resources of the National Capital Region and the Washington metropolitan area. Washington's libraries, galleries, and museums; Virginia's historic sites; and Fairfax County's high-technology firms are easily accessible. George Mason's 5.2-acre Arlington Campus, which is home to most SPP master's programs, is just minutes to Washington, D.C., by Metrorail.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
The School of Public Policy at George Mason University seeks to prepare its graduates for positions of responsibility in academic institutions, industry, government, and profit and not-for-profit institutions dedicated to the improvement of both the substance and the processes of public policymaking in the United States and abroad. SPP offers the following degree programs: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy; Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.); Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Commerce and Policy; Master of Arts (M.A.) in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics; Master of New Professional Studies (M.N.P.S.) in Organization Development and Knowledge Management; and Master of New Professional Studies (M.N.P.S.) in Peace Operations.

The School's programs, led by a distinguished faculty, focus on the interplay of culture, organizations, and technology in a quest to find alternative approaches to public policy decisions and policymaking. Teaching and research is focused on, but not limited to, six themes: governance and public management; international commerce and policy; organizational informatics and e-government; regional development and transportation policy; science and technology policy; and society, culture, and values in public policy.

The Ph.D. in Public Policy program is distinctive in its emphasis on the combined influence of technology, culture, and institutions on public policy. To investigate the policy issues associated with substantive policy areas, students develop an in-depth understanding of American institutions, values, and culture; competence in research methods and advanced analytical methodologies; and a comparative, international perspective. The M.P.P. provides a degree for aspiring or experienced professionals who seek career advancement through cutting-edge education and training in policy analysis and development in increasingly technical and global environments. Professional certificates are also offered with this program. The M.A. in International Commerce and Policy program is an interdisciplinary course of study that prepares students for careers in the new global economy. Unlike traditional M.B.A. and international affairs programs, the degree is focused on international economic issues such as global trade and investment. Professional certificates are also offered with this program. The M.A. in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics program is designed for students and practicing professionals engaged in planning, regulating, managing, and operating transportation facilities and services. The M.N.P.S. in Organization Development and Knowledge Management program is run in an executive format and is designed for professionals with several years of work experience. It provides students with the conceptual tools and practical guidance to foster organization change. The M.N.P.S. in Peace Operations program offers candidates a focused degree in various aspects of the planning, regulation, management, and conduct of peace operations.

Facilities & Resources
George Mason University (GMU) Libraries is comprised of the Fenwick and Johnson Center Libraries on the Fairfax campus and the Arlington and Prince William campus libraries. Fenwick is the main research library and offers access to a large number of electronic resources in addition to more than 600,000 volumes. GMU provides students with e-mail and Internet access and is a member of the Washington Regional Library Consortium, giving students access to 4 million volumes. In addition to research facilities on campus, GMU is a short distance from major research facilities in the Washington, D.C., area, including the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and numerous governmental agencies. Students may visit the GMU Libraries' Web site for more information (http://library.gmu.edu).

SPP's research centers include the Center for Regional Analysis; the Policy Analysis Center; the International Center for Applied Studies in Information Technology; the Center for Science and Technology Policy; the Center for Transport Policy and Logistics; the Office of International Medical Policy; the State Economic Development Center; the Center for Entrepreneurship and Public Policy; the Societal Dynamics Research Center; the Center for Global Policy; the Aerospace Policy Research Center; the Center for Executive Education and Leadership in Public Policy, and the Mason Enterprise Center.

The School of Public Policy offers comprehensive career services to students and alumni at the Arlington campus. We want to help you identify your interests and strengths in order for you to find meaningful and rewarding work with your SPP degree. The goal is to provide you with programs and services that will not only help you in the short term, but provide you with life-long knowledge of how to manage your career decisions with confidence.

Expenses and Aid
Tuition and fees are $545 per credit hour for in-state students and $1,003 for out-of-state students.

Financial Aid:
Full-time Ph.D. candidates are eligible for graduate research assistantships. These assistantships offer a stipend of $16,000 and also include tuition waivers. Financial assistance is granted to master's candidates on a limited basis.

Housing/Living Expenses:
The cost of living in the northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., area is comparable to that in most major metropolitan centers. Limited on-campus graduate student housing is available on the Fairfax campus; no on-campus housing is available on the Arlington campus. Most graduate students choose to live off campus. The Federation of Off-Campus Students maintains a Web site to assist in finding off-campus housing.

How to Apply / Application
Application deadlines for the master’s programs are June 1 for fall and December 1 for spring. International applicant deadlines are one month prior to these dates. For Ph.D. applicants, fall application deadlines are February 1 for international students and students requesting funding consideration, and March 1 for domestic students not requesting funding. For the spring term, Ph.D. application deadlines are October 1 for international applicants and November 1 for domestic applicants. Students should note that funding is only awarded to full-time Ph.D. students beginning their study in the fall term.

Master’s applicants must submit a graduate application and fee, official university transcripts, a written goals statement, a professional resume, and two letters of recommendation. GRE or GMAT scores are only required for master’s degree applicants who are seeking funding consideration. International applicants must also submit a TOEFL score and translations of their university transcripts into English (if necessary).

Ph.D. applicants must submit a graduate application and fee, official university transcripts, a written goals statement, a professional resume, two letters of recommendation, a 10-25 page writing sample, and GRE or GMAT scores. International applicants must also submit a TOEFL score and translations of their university transcripts into English (if necessary).

Application packets may be requested by contacting SPP or visiting the School's web site. Students should visit http://policy.gmu.edu/admissions for more specific information on application requirements for both the master’s and Ph.D. degree programs.

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