Public and International Affairs
Faculty
Robinson Professors: Heclo, Paden
Professors: R. Clark, Dawisha, Gortner, Keeter (Chair), Pfiffner, White
Associate Professors: Brown, Cargo, Conant, Conlan, Dudley, Friedlander,
Gifford, Hart Nibbrig, Katz, Knight, Mahler, Hung Nguyen, Regan, Sacco, Sanders,
Travis
Assistant Professors: J. Clark, Duquette, Harbour, Hennessey, Rosenblatt,
Wan
Adjunct Professors: Abramson, Beyoghlow, Bodilly, Brandwine, Burroughs,
Bushee, Butler, Cummings, Czarda, Doyle, Edner, Erickson, Fiorino, First, Froehlich,
Lettice, Mayer, McGregor, Ross, Smith, Spalding, Tucker, Uscher, Webber
Affiliate Faculty, The Institute of Public Policy: Fukuyama, Fuller, Garreau,
Haynes, Kash, Lipset, Stough
Course Work
The Public and International Affairs Department offers all course work designated
GOVT and PUAD in the Course Descriptions
section of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
B.A. Degree with a Major in Government and International Politics
See College of Arts and Sciences chapter in the catalog for general education
requirements for the B.A. degree. In addition to the general requirements, candidates
must complete the following:
- Fifteen credits in core requirements: GOVT 101, 103, 132, 133, 300
- Twenty-four credits in advanced government courses. At least three credits must
be taken from each of the fields listed below:
American Politics: GOVT 301-319, 410-419
Political Theory and Law: GOVT 320-329, 420-429
International and Comparative Politics: GOVT 330-349, 430-449
Public Administration and Policy: G
With permission of an advisor, three credits of GOVT 480 and three credits of
GOVT 490 may be substituted for upper-division courses. Only three credits of a six-credit
GOVT 480 may be substituted for a major requirement.
- 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; or upper-level
foreign language taught in the language.
A total of 120 credits are required for the B.A. 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.
B.S. Degree with a Major in Public Administration
- Thirty-nine credits in general education requirements, including the following:
- Nine credits in ENGL 101, 303, and COMM
- Six credits in literature
- Nine credits in history, with at least three credits at the 300 level or above
- Nine credits from any two of ANTH, PSYC, or SOCI; and six credits in analytic
skills selected from the following: PHIL, DESC 210, 301; STAT 250, 350; SOCI 313;
MATH 106, 108, 110, or 111)
- Eighteen credits of core requirements, including GOVT 101; 103; 132, 133, or
149; 204; 300; 351
- 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 (can include 480, 490, 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.
- ECON 103, 104, and one upper-level ECON course
- Three credits in ACCT
- GOVT 359 or 459
- 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, or INFS 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
ìwriting intensiveî in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students
majoring in Government and International Politics and Public Administration may fulfill
this requirement by successfully completing the 300-level GOVT courses in their major
programs.
Teacher Licensure (Certification)
Students who wish to become elementary, middle, or secondary school teachers should
consult the sections on licensure (certification) found in the catalog under Graduate
School of Education. Those planning to become secondary school teachers should consult
the secondary education advisor in their discipline.
B.S. Degree with a Major in Administration of Justice
The B.S. in Administration of Justice provides a sound liberal education with
a substantial exposure to the criminal justice system and process. In addition to
ensuring the strong background necessary for law school and/or graduate study in
administration of justice or public administration, the broad range of courses available
allows the student to prepare for careers in corrections, the courts, investigations,
juvenile justice, law enforcement, and private security.
The interinstitutional and interdisciplinary program requires a minimum of 120
credits of course work. Prior to admission, students who major in administration
of justice are expected to have completed the requirements for the major in an associate's
degree in administration of justice at either Northern Virginia Community College
or its equivalent.
Program requirements are as follows:
- Twenty credits in general education requirements: ENGL 101 and 302, six credits
of literature, and eight credits (two semesters) of laboratory science sequence in
astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, or physics (BIOL 124, 125 excluded).
- 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.
- Thirty credits in supporting requirements, including at least 15 credits in two
of the following support concentrations:
- Accounting
- Computer Science
- Government
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Foreign Language
- Social Work 300, 301*, 323, 324, 351*, 352, 400, 423, 425, 471, 475, 499, 598,
210, 511
- Three credits in computer science and three credits from the following STAT 250;
DESC 210; PSYC 300; SOCI 313
- Sixteen credits of general electives, which may include additional courses in
the student's support concentrations. It may be possible to earn a minor in certain
support concentrations.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated
ìwriting intensiveî 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.
A total of 120 credits are required for the B.S. degree, 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.
Minors
Interdisciplinary Minors in Global Systems and
in Urban and Suburban Studies
The department coordinates these interdisciplinary minors. See the University
Programs chapter for descriptions.
Minor in American Government
This minor develops knowledge of the principles, institutions, and behaviors of
the American political system. A minor in American government requires 18 credits
of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government. Select
five additional courses from the following:
- GOVT 132 Introduction to International Politics
- Any GOVT 301-309 Political Institutions
- Any GOVT 310-319 Political Behavior
- GOVT 344 American Foreign Policy
- GOVT 420 American Political Thought
- Relevant GOVT 480 or 490
Minor in Public Policy and Management
This minor introduces students to the theory and process of policy formulation
and implementation in the political/governmental arena. A minor in public policy
and management requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction
to American Government. Select five additional courses from the following:
- GOVT 350-359 Public Administration
- Any GOVT 360-369 Public Policy
- Any GOVT 450-459 Public Administration
- Any GOVT 460-469 Public Policy
- Relevant GOVT 480 or 490
Minor in International/Comparative Studies
This minor increases students' awareness of the regions and current issues of
the world on theoretical and practical levels. A minor in international/comparative
studies requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 132 or 133 Introduction
to International/Comparative Politics. Select five additional courses from the following:
- GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government
- Any GOVT 330-339 Comparative Politics
- Any GOVT 340-349 International Studies
- Any GOVT 430-439 International Studies
- Any GOVT 440-449 International Studies
- Relevant GOVT 480 or 490
Minor in Legal Studies
This minor focuses on the constitutional foundations, interpretation, processes,
and functions of domestic and international law. A minor in legal studies requires
18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government
and GOVT 301 Public Law and Judicial Process. Select four additional courses from
the following:
- 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 480-490
Department Honors Program
Qualified students 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 leading to graduation
with departmental honors.
Graduate Program
Public Administration, M.P.A.
The 36-credit Master of Public Administration program is designed to build the
knowledge base and skills of people who are playing, or who intend to play, a leadership
role in the public and nonprofit sectors. The curriculum consists of a required set
of core courses and electives. In the core courses, emphasis is placed on the development
of analytic and problem-solving skills, as well as knowledge about public policy
and management. Elective courses can be used by students to focus their knowledge
and skill development within a particular concentration, such as public management,
public policy, financial management, nonprofit management, international management,
state and local government, environmental science and public policy, human resources
management, and health policy and administration. Currently under development are
concentrations in international security and information resources. Alternatively,
the electives can be used to extend the breadth of a student's study, with courses
drawn from a variety of concentrations or even from other departments and institutes
within the university.
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. All classes
are delivered in the late afternoon or evening. 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 also be reached by Metro and bus. Convenient 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 500 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 Institute for Public Policy.
Applications and Admissions
Students may start the M.P.A. program in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. The
Admissions Committee will consider 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:
- The graduate application form
- Two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution
attended
- A resume listing work experience and volunteer activity
- Three letters of recommendation
- A statement of professional goals
- Test scores from the GRE, Miller Analogies Test, GMAT, or LSAT. If the applicant
has another graduate degree, the examination requirement is waived. If the applicant's
undergraduate grade point average is 3.3 or higher, the applicant may petition the
Admissions Committee for a waiver of the examination by contacting the committee
at (703) 993-1411, or at mpa@gmu.edu. However, to be considered for financial aid,
all applicants must submit an examination score.
An individual with an outstanding academic record and clear interest in public
policy research may apply for a 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
A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be transferable to the M.P.A. program; 6
of the 12 credits may come from other accredited universities and colleges, pending
approval by the M.P.A. Admissions Committee.
Program Requirements
For the latest information on program requirements and course schedules, see our
web pages at http://www.gmu.edu.
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 public and nonprofit organizations.
- PUAD 502 Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- PUAD 610 Managing Information Resources
- 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 Policy Process
- PUAD 660 Public and Nonprofit Accounting and Finance
- PUAD 700 Ethics and Public Administration (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.
Public Management:
- PUAD 615 Administrative Law
- PUAD 621 Principles and Practices in Government Organization and Management
- PUAD 622 Program Planning and Implementation
- PUAD 661 Public Budgeting Systems
- PUAD 670 Personnel Administration in the Public Sector
- PUAD 729 Issues in Public Management
- PUAD 730 Professional Development Workshop
- PUAD 742 Program Evaluation
- PUAD 750 Changing Patterns of Governance
- PUAD 759 Issues in Local Government Administration
- PUAD 769 Issues in Public Financial Management
- LRNG 720 Market-Based Management
- PUAD 794 Internship
Public Policy:
- PUAD 622 Program Planning and Implementation
- PUAD 643 Public Policy Research
- PUAD 644 Public Policy Models
- PUAD 727 Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making
- PUAD 741 Policy Analysis
- PUAD 742 Program Evaluation
- PUAD 749 Issues in Public Policy
- PUAD 750 Changing Patterns of Governance
- PUAD 769 Issues in Public Financial Management
- LRNG 681 Interpretive Economics
- PUBP 701 Methods in Policy Analysis and Research
- PUBP 704 Managerial Economics/Policy Analysis
- PUAD 794 Internship
Financial Management:
- PUAD 661 Public Budgeting Systems
- PUAD 664 Nonprofit Budgeting and Accounting
- PUAD 729 Issues in Public Management (Auditing and Performance Assessment)
- PUAD 769 Issues in Public Financial Management
- PUAD 794 Internship
Nonprofit Management:
- PUAD 505 Introduction to Management of Nonprofits
- PUAD 636 The NGO: Managing the International Nonprofit Organization
- PUAD 664 Advanced Topics in Nonprofit Financial Management
- PUAD 681 The Community, Media Relations, and Fund Raising PUAD 720 Performance
Evaluation for Managers
- PUAD 730 Professional Development Workshop
- PUAD 729 and 749 will be offered periodically on nonprofit issues.
- PUAD 794 Internship
International Management:
- PUAD 504 Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice
- PUAD 634 Management of International Security
- PUAD 731 International Political Economy
- PUAD 738 Issues in International Security
- PUAD 739 Issues in International Management
- CONF courses offered by George Mason's Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
- ITRN courses offered by George Mason's International Transactions program
- PUAD 794 Internship
State and Local Government
- PUAD 615 Administrative Law
- PUAD 661 Public Budgeting Systems
- PUAD 651 Administration in the Commonwealth of Virginia
- PUAD 681 The Community, Media Relations, and Fund Raising
- PUAD 729 Issues in Public Management
- PUAD 730 Professional Development Workshop
- PUAD 750 Changing Patterns of Governance
- PUAD 759 Issues in Local Government Administration
- PUAD 794 Internship
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 wishes 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 Plan Ecology
- BIOL 550 Waterscape Ecology and Management (freshwater emphasis)
For those 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 (both should be taken after BIOL 607)
Human Resources Management:
- PUAD 670 Personnel Administration in the Public Sector
- LRNG 602 Group Dynamics and Team Learning
- MGMT 721 Seminar in Personnel Administration
- 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
Health Policy and Administration:
- PUAD 740 Policy Analysis
- HSCI 578 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
- HSCI 542 Health Care and the Political Process
- HSCI 866 Health Care and Public Policy
- HSCI 704 Contemporary Issues in Health Policy and Management
- HSCI 710 Health Practicum
- PUAD 794 Internship
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
The certificate in nonprofit management is a 15-credit graduate program. Students
may enter this program at the beginning of any semester. Applications are made to
the certificate in nonprofit management program through the Graduate Processing Center
of the College of Arts and Sciences. If application deadlines are missed, students
may enter the program in Extended Studies status; however, application to the program
must be made before the beginning of the third semester. Students must apply to the
certificate program to be eligible for the certificate. Students may transfer earned
credits to the M.P.A. degree pending admission to the M.P.A. program.
Application Requirements
Each semester a student cohort is admitted to the certificate program. The best
qualified applicants are admitted.
An applicant must submit the following:
- An application form
- Proof of a baccalaureate degree documented by two copies of transcripts from
each institution attended
- An application fee
Certificate Requirements
This certificate may be obtained through standard three-credit courses, or through
an innovative sequence of one-credit courses designed especially for distribution
through distance learning technology, off-site venues, and concentrated seminar formats
to accommodate the working schedules of students.
The certificate requires the following:
- PUAD 505 Introduction to Management of Nonprofits
- PUAD 660 Public and Nonprofit Financial Management
- PUAD 681 The Community, Media Relations, and Fund Raising
- PUAD 702 Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics
Electives taken from other nonprofit electives, Special Issues courses, or other
PUAD courses appropriate to the student's needs with advisor approval.
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