Public and International Affairs

• Faculty
• Course Work
• Home Page - http://www.gmu.edu/departments/pia/
• Undergraduate Programs
  • Government and International Politics, B.A.
  • Public Administration, B.S.
  • Administration of Justice, B.S.
• Minors
  • Interdisciplinary Minors in Global Systems and in Urban and Suburban Studies
  • Minor in American Government
  • Minor in Public Policy and Management
  • Minor in International/Comparative Studies
  • Minor in Legal Studies
• Graduate Program
• Public Administration, M.P.A.
• Certificate Programs

Faculty

Robinson Professors: Heclo, Paden

Professors: R. Clark, Conlan, Gortner, Katz, Keeter (chair), Mastrofski, Pfiffner, Sockett, White

Associate professors: Brown, Conant, Dudley, Friedlander, Gifford, Harbour, Hart Nibbrig, Mahler, Hung Nguyen, Regan, Sacco, Travis

Assistant professors: Gallagher, Gould, McFerson, Wan

Visiting assistant professors: J. Clark, Duquette, Harvey, Miller

Adjuncts: Ady, Abramson, Ault, Benson, Beyoghlow, Burroughs, Bushee, Campanelli, Clements, Conley, Cummings, Day, DePue, Edner, Erickson, Fiorino, Flynn, Froehlich, Ghosh, Grier, Griffith, Hauss, Hercik, Higgins, Hovell, Kalland, Kurtz, Leitner, Lettice, Mahoney, Mayer, J. Mastrofski, McKinnon, Mitchell, Orenstein, Paten, Ryan, Sauer, Shiraev, Smith, Spalding, Stahl, Stevenson, Tibbets, Trice, Tucker, Uchida, Uscher, Walker, Webb, Webber, Willett, Woodard, Woodruff

Visiting instructors: Lay, Ludwick

Nonprofit Professional in Residence: Lewis

Affiliate faculty: Brindle, Brandwine, Butler, Czarda, Fukuyama, Fuller, Garreau, Haynes, Hennessey, Kash, Lipset, Rossell, Stough, Tolchin

Course Work

The Public and International Affairs Department offers all course work designated ADJ, GOVT, LRNG, and PUAD in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Government and International Politics, B.A.

1. Fifteen credits in core requirements: GOVT 101, 103, 132, 133, 300
2. Twenty-four credits in advanced government courses. At least three credits must be taken from each of the fields listed below:
   American politics: GOVT 301­319, 410­419
   Political theory and law: GOVT 320­329, 420­429
   International and comparative politics: GOVT 330­349, 430­449
   Public administration and policy: GOVT 350­369, 450­469
   
   With permission of an advisor, a total of nine credits of GOVT 480, GOVT 490, GOVT 491, and GOVT 496 may be substituted for upper-division GOVT courses. Only three credits of a six-credit GOVT 480 and six credits of GOVT 496 may be substituted for major requirements.
3. Three credits of analytic or language competency skills from the following: GOVT 359, 400, 459; ECON 103, 104; SOCI 313, 405; any CS, MIS, INFS, or STAT course; or an upper-level foreign language course taught in the language. A total of 120 credits are required for the B.A., 45 of which must have been at the 300 and 400 levels. Only GOVT courses passed with a grade of C or better may be used to fulfill major requirements.

Public Administration, B.S.

1. Thirty-nine credits in general education requirements, including the following:
   1. Nine credits in ENGL 101, 302, and COMM.
   2. Six credits in literature. (ENGL 201; any English literature at the 200 level for which ENGL 201 is a prerequisite; PHIL 253; or any 300-level literature course in a foreign language)
   3. Nine credits in history, with at least three credits at the 300 level or above.
   4. Nine credits from ANTH, PHIL, PSYC, or SOCI; and six credits in analytical skills selected from the following: DESC 210, 301; STAT 250, 350; SOCI 313; MATH 106, 108, 110, or 111.
2. Eighteen credits of core requirements, including GOVT 101; 103; 132, 133, or 149; 204; 300; 351.
3. Twenty-one credits of advanced government courses including GOVT 355, 356, and one course from GOVT 357, 452, or 490; one course from GOVT 320s or 420s; one course from GOVT 360s or 460s.
   
   Six credits taken outside of GOVT 350s and 450s (may include 480, 490, 491, or 496). Only three credits of a six-credit GOVT 480 may be substituted for a major requirement. The same GOVT 490 may not be substituted for more than one major requirement.
4. ECON 103, 104, and one upper-level ECON or FNAN course.
5. Three credits in ACCT.
6. GOVT 359 or 459.
7. Twelve credits in either Option A or B below.

Option A
Information and reasoning: GOVT 359, 400, 459; GOVT 490 on information management; any CS, MIS, INFS, or INFT course; STAT 362; SOCI 405; ACCT 202, 310; PHIL 105, 173, 212, 371, 372, 373, or 376 (may use only six credits from ACCT and PHIL)

Option B
Foreign language: One modern foreign language through the intermediate level

A total of 120 credits is required for the degree, 45 of which must have been at the 300 and 400 levels. Only GOVT courses passed with a grade of C or better may be used to fulfill major requirements.

Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in government and international politics and in public administration may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing the 300-level GOVT courses in their major programs.

Honors Program
Qualified students majoring in government and international politics and in public administration may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors from the Department of Public and International Affairs. Those highly qualified students selected for the honors program participate in a two-course sequence, GOVT 491 and 496. To graduate with honors in government and international politics or public administration, students must complete these courses with a GPA of at least 3.000.

Teacher Licensure (Certification)
Students who wish to become elementary or secondary school teachers should consult the sections on licensure (certification) found in the catalog in the "Graduate School of Education" chapter. Those planning to become secondary school teachers should consult the secondary education advisor in their discipline.

Administration of Justice, B.S.

This interinstitutional and interdisciplinary program requires a minimum of 120 credits of course work, 45 of which must be at the 300 level or above. A grade of D in any of the ADJ courses may not be used toward graduation.

Program requirements are as follows:

1. Twenty credits in general education requirements: ENGL 101 and 302, six credits of literature, and eight credits (two semesters) of a laboratory science sequence in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, or physics (BIOL 124, 125 excluded).
2. Forty-eight credits in core requirements: 27 to 36 credits in administration of justice taken at Northern Virginia Community College or its equivalent, ADJ 377, plus 9 to 18 upper-level credits in administration of justice completed at George Mason.
3. Thirty credits in supporting requirements, including at least 15 credits in two of the following support fields:

   Accounting
   Computer science
   Government
   Psychology
   Sociology
   Foreign language
   Social work 210, 300, 301*, 323, 324, 351*, 352, 400, 410, 423, 425, 430, 435, 471, 475, 499, 510, 511, 598.

4. Three credits in computer science and three credits from the following: STAT 250; DESC 210; PSYC 300; SOCI 313. If either PSYC 300 or SOCI 313 is taken and psychology or sociology, respectively, is chosen as a "supporting requirement field" (see #3 above), then the class may be used to fulfill both the three-credit statistics requirement (see #4 above) and three or four credits in the relevant supporting requirement field. Although these two courses may fulfill both "supporting field" and statistics requirements, they will not be double counted for fulfilling the minimum number of upper-level credits or the minimum credits to graduate.
5. Sixteen credits of general electives, which may include additional courses in the student's support fields. It may be possible to earn a minor in certain support fields.

Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in administration of justice fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ADJ 377 Public Safety Officer and the Law.

Minors

Interdisciplinary Minors in Global Systems and in Urban and Suburban Studies

Minor in American Government

• GOVT 132 Introduction to International Politics
• Any GOVT 301­309 Political Institutions
• Any GOVT 310­319 Political Behavior
• GOVT 344 American Foreign Policy
• GOVT 409 Virginia Government and Politics
• GOVT 420 American Political Thought
• Relevant GOVT 480 or 490

Minor in Public Policy and Management

• GOVT 350­359 Public Administration
• Any GOVT 360­369 Public Policy
• Any GOVT 450­459 Public Administration
• Any GOVT 460­469 Public Policy
• Relevant GOVT 480 or 490

Minor in International/Comparative Studies

• GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government
• Any GOVT 330­339 Comparative Politics
• Any GOVT 340­349 International Studies
• Any GOVT 430­439 International Studies
• Any GOVT 440­449 International Studies
• Relevant GOVT 480 or 490

Minor in Legal Studies

• GOVT 307 Legislative Behavior
• GOVT 320 Political Values
• GOVT 420 American Political Thought
• GOVT 422 Constitutional Interpretation
• GOVT 423 Civil Rights and Liberties
• GOVT 424 Constitutional Law and Procedural Rights
• GOVT 446 International Law
• GOVT 452 Administrative Law and Procedures
• Relevant GOVT 480 or 490

Graduate Program

Public Administration, M.P.A.

M.P.A. students at George Mason have the research and cultural resources of the Washington metropolitan area at their disposal. Government agencies representing all levels of government in the U.S. federal system are located close to the campus, as are the National Archives, Library of Congress, and Smithsonian Institution. Another benefit of George Mason's location for M.P.A. students is the wide range of internship opportunities available in governmental and nonprofit organizations. The M.P.A. program regularly has internship invitations from national, state, and local government organizations, as well as from nonprofit organizations whose principal work is at the local, state, national, or international levels. Many of these internships are paid positions.

M.P.A. courses are delivered at both the Fairfax and Arlington Campuses during the week at 1:30, 4:30, 6, and 7:20 p.m. Classes are also offered during the weekend in an accelerated format, meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays every other weekend for eight weeks. The Arlington Campus is located near a Metro stop, which makes it easily accessible for those who work in Washington, D.C. The Fairfax Campus can be reached by taking a bus from the Metro. Parking is available at both the Fairfax and Arlington Campuses.

Completion of the M.P.A. can lead to a variety of postgraduate opportunities, including the Presidential Management Internship. With more than 750 alumni, the M.P.A. program can also serve as a valuable source for networking and job placement. Additionally, the M.P.A. can serve as a key credential in the pursuit of a Ph.D. in Public Policy, offered by the School of Public Policy at George Mason University.

Application and Admission
Students may start the M.P.A. program in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. The Admissions Committee considers an application as soon as the file is complete. Late applications are considered on a space-available basis. A complete application file consists of the following:

1. The graduate application form
2. Two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended
3. A resume listing work experience and volunteer activity
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. A statement of professional goals
6. Test scores from the GRE, Miller Analogies Test, GMAT, or LSAT

If the applicant's undergraduate GPA is 3.300 or higher, the applicant may petition the Admissions Committee for a waiver of the examination. However, to be considered for financial aid, all applicants must submit a GRE score. Applicants who already have a graduate degree in another field may also petition the Admissions Committee for a waiver of the examination requirement.

An individual with an outstanding academic record and clear interest in public policy research may apply for joint admission to the M.P.A. program and the Ph.D. in Public Policy program. For more information, contact the M.P.A. coordinator at (703) 993-1411.

Transfer of Credits
Up to 12 graduate credits may be transferred into the M.P.A. program, pending approval by the M.P.A. Admissions Committee and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may petition the M.P.A. Admissions Committee for approval of graduate credits taken at other accredited universities or colleges; generally, this is limited to 6 credits, though up to 12 credits may be granted in special cases at the discretion of the committee. Students may also petition to receive transfer credit taken while they were enrolled in other graduate programs at George Mason. Petitions for more than six credits taken while enrolled through Extended Studies are strongly discouraged. Students who enroll initially through Extended Studies are advised to submit their application to the M.P.A. program in their first semester of study.

All students are required to take a set of M.P.A. core courses. These courses give students the opportunity to develop a shared knowledge base and a shared set of skills. The courses are focused on the knowledge and skills that are needed by people who want to play a leadership role in organizations that develop and implement public policy.

PUAD 502 Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
PUAD 611 Problem Solving and Data Analysis I
PUAD 612 Problem Solving and Data Analysis II
PUAD 620 Organization Theory and Management Behavior
PUAD 640 Public Policy Process
PUAD 660 Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance
PUAD 680 Managing Information Resources
PUAD 700 Ethics and Public Administration (or 702)

Students may take their elective courses within one of the concentrations listed below. Alternatively, with the approval of their advisor, students may create their own concentration, or they may select their elective courses from several concentrations or fields. Students may receive only one concentration.

Concentration in Public Management

PUAD 615 Administrative Law
PUAD 622 Program Planning and Implementation
PUAD 661 Public Budgeting Systems
PUAD 670 Human Resources Management in the Public Sector
PUAD 720 Performance Evaluation for Managers
PUAD 729 Issues in Public Management
PUAD 730 Professional Development Workshop
PUAD 742 Program Evaluation
PUAD 750 Federalism and Changing Patterns of Governance
PUAD 794 Internship

Concentration in Policy Studies

PUAD 622 Program Planning and Implementation
PUAD 661 Public Budgeting Systems
PUAD 727 Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making
PUAD 741 Policy Analysis
PUAD 742 Program Evaluation
PUAD 749 Issues in Public Policy
PUAD 794 Internship
PUBP 701 Analysis for Public Decision Making
PUBP 705 Rational Choice and Uncertainty: Modeling Judgment

Concentration in International Management

PUAD 504 Managing in the International Arena
PUAD 634 Management of International Security
PUAD 636 The NGO: Managing the International Nonprofit Organization
PUAD 732 Managing Technology Transfer
PUAD 738 Issues in International Security
PUAD 739 Issues in International Management
PUAD 794 Internship
CONF courses offered by George Mason's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
ITRN courses offered by George Mason's International Commerce and Policy program

Concentration in Nonprofit Management

PUAD 505 Introduction to Management of Nonprofits
PUAD 636 The NGO: Managing the International Nonprofit Organization
PUAD 654 The Community, Marketing, and Public Relations
PUAD 655 Philanthropy and Fundraising
PUAD 657 Association Management
PUAD 664 Advanced Topics in Nonprofit and Public Financial Management
PUAD 720 Performance Evaluation for Managers
PUAD 730 Professional Development Workshop
PUAD 794 Internship

Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Finance

PUAD 661 Public Budgeting Systems
PUAD 664 Advanced Topics in Nonprofit and Public Financial Management
PUAD 729 Issues in Public Management
PUAD 769 Issues in Public Financial Management
PUAD 794 Internship

Concentration in State and Local Government

PUAD 615 Administrative Law
PUAD 651 Virginia Politics, Policy, and Administration
PUAD 654 The Community, Marketing, and Public Relations
PUAD 661 Public Budgeting Systems
PUAD 729 Issues in Public Management
PUAD 730 Professional Development Workshop
PUAD 750 Federalism and Changing Patterns of Governance
PUAD 759 Issues in Local Government Administration
PUAD 794 Internship

Concentration in Human Resources Management

PUAD 670 Human Resources Management in the Public Sector PUAD 671 Public Employee Labor Relations
LRNG 602 Group Dynamics and Team Learning
PSYC 635 Topics in Organizational Psychology
PSYC 638 Training: Psychological Contributions to Theory, Design, and Evaluation
PSYC 639 Survey of Organizational Processes
PSYC 640 Techniques in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYC 667 Behavior in Small Groups and Teams

Concentration in Information Policy and Administration

PUAD 732 Managing Technology Transfer
PUAD 781 Information Management: Technology and Policy
INFS 515 Computer Organization
INFS 590 Program Design and Data Structures
CULT 816 Culture and Information Technology
HSCI 709 Health/Medical Informatics for Health System Managers
TCOM 500 Modern Telecommunications

Students may take INFS and TCOM courses, which are offered by the School of Information Technology and Engineering, if they have met the prerequisites for these courses.

Concentration in Environmental Science and Public Policy

Previous science major:
PUAD 741 Policy Analysis
PUAD 749 Issues in Public Policy (Public Policy and the Environment)
BIOL 607 Fundamentals of Ecology
BIOL 641 Environmental Science and Public Policy EVPP 675 Environmental Planning and Administration

If the student would like more science (in place of BIOL 607), the department recommends one of the following ecology courses:

BIOL 546 Estuarine and Coastal Ecology (saltwater and estuarine emphasis)
BIOL 547 Terrestrial Plant Ecology
BIOL 550 Waterscape Ecology and Management(freshwater emphasis)

Students with little or no science background

PUAD 741 Policy Analysis
PUAD 749 Issues in Public Policy (Public Policy and the Environment)
BIOL 607 Fundamentals of Ecology
BIOL 670 Environmental Law for Biologists or
PRLS 501 Introduction to Natural Resources Law (taken after BIOL 607)

It is recommended that students with little or no science background take an introductory biology sequence: BIOL 102, 103 or 211, 212.

Concentration in Health Policy and Administration

PUAD 741 Policy Analysis
HSCI 542 Health Policy
HSCI 678 Introduction to the U.S. Health System
HSCI 704 Contemporary Issues in Health Systems Leadership and Management
HSCI 710 Health Management Practicum and Capstone Seminar
PUAD 794 Internship

Concentration in Administration of Justice

PUAD 509 Justice Organizations and Processes
PUAD 510 Policing in a Democratic Society
PUAD 691 Justice Program Planning and Implementation
PUAD 781 Information Management: Technology and Policy
PUAD 791 Justice Program Evaluation
PUAD 799 Issues in Justice Administration
SOCI 607 Criminology
SOCI 608 Juvenile Delinquency
SOCI 609 Sociology of Punishment and Corrections
CONF 501 Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Certificate Programs

The MPA program offers three certificates: Administration of Justice, Information Policy and Administration, and Nonprofit Management. Applications for admission to a certificate program are made through the Office of Graduate Admissions of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may enter a program at the beginning of any semester. Students may transfer up to 12 credits earned in a certificate program to the M.P.A. degree pending admission to the M.P.A. program and subject to university policies governing transfer credit.

Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are the same as they are for the M.P.A. degree program.

Certificate Requirements
The certificate is awarded after satisfactory completion of five graduate courses as specified below.

The Certificate in Administration of Justice

PUAD 502 Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
PUAD 509 Justice Organizations and Processes
PUAD 691 Justice Program Planning and Implementation
Two electives

The Certificate in Information Policy and Administration

PUAD 620 Organization Theory and Management Behavior
PUAD 680 Managing Information Resources
PUAD 781 Information Management: Technology and Policy
Two electives

The Certificate in Nonprofit Management

PUAD 505 Introduction to Management of Nonprofits
PUAD 660 Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance
PUAD 702 Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics
Two electives