Public and International Affairs
Web: www.gmu.edu/departments/pia FacultyRobinson Professors: Heclo, Paden Professors: Cioffi-Revilla, Clark, Conant, Conlan, Dudley, Gortner, Katz, Keeter, Mastrofski, Regan, Sockett Associate professors: Brown, Friedlander, Harbour, Lukacs, Mahler, Maguire, McFerson, Nguyen, Sacco, Travis, Walters, Wan Assistant professors: Balint, Burt, Gallagher, Gould, Hackler, Mandaville, McDonald, Miller, Rivera, Shogan, Snyder, Toepler, Wilson Term assistant professors: Burroughs, Bushée, Casamayou, Feit Adjuncts: Campanelli, Cummings, Edner, Froehlich, Ghosh, Harvey, Hauss, Leitner, Posner, Shiraev, Stahl, Tibbets, Tucker, Uscher, Walker, Webb, Willett Research professor: Turner Affiliate faculty: Brandwine, Butler, Czarda, Gifford, Haynes, Hennessey, Kash, Pfiffner, Rossell Nonprofit professional in residence: Kornblut Course WorkThe Public and International Affairs Department offers all course work designated ADJ, GOVT, and PUAD in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog. Undergraduate ProgramsGovernment and International Politics, BAIn addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for the BA degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, students majoring in government and international politics must complete the following. With careful planning, some courses required for the major may also fulfill college requirements and/or university general education requirements. See an advisor before registering. 1. 16 credits in core requirements: GOVT 101, 103, 132, 133, 300 (fulfills the university social science, global understanding, and IT and IT ethics requirements) 2. 21 credits in advanced government courses. At least 3 credits must be taken from each of the fields listed below:
3. 3 credits of GOVT 490, 491 (fulfills the university synthesis requirement) 4. 3 credits of analytic or language competency skills from the following: GOVT 359, 400, 459; ECON 103, 104; SOCI 313, 405; any CS, MIS, INFS, IT, or STAT course; or an upper-level foreign language course taught in the language. 5. Students may choose to concentrate in one of the four fields listed above by completing 5 courses (15 credits) in one field. Students must still complete 3 credits in each of the other 3 fields. A total of 120 credits are required for the BA, 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, BSIn addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the BS, students majoring in public administration must complete the following. With careful planning, some courses required for the major may also fulfill university or college general education requirements. See an advisor before registering. 1. 18 credits of core requirements: GOVT 101, 103, 132 or 133 or 149, 204, 300, 351 (fulfills the university social science, global understanding, and IT and IT ethics requirements) 2. 21 credits of advanced GOVT courses including GOVT 355, 356, and 3 credits from GOVT 357, 358, 452, 464, NCLC 331; 3 credits from GOVT 320's or 420's; 3 credits from GOVT 360's or 460's; 3 credits of upper level GOVT taken outside of GOVT 350's and 450's (may include GOVT 480 or 496). Only 3 credits of GOVT 480 may be substituted for a major requirement. 3. 3 credits of GOVT 490, 491 (fulfills the university synthesis requirement) 4. 6 credits in analytical skills from the following: DESC 210, 301; STAT 250, 350; SOCI 313; MATH 106, 108, 110 or 111 5. 9 credits from ECON 103, 104, and any upper-level course in ECON or FNAN or GOVT 343. 6. 3 credits in ACCT or GOVT 358. (GOVT 358 may only apply to one major requirement.) 7. 12 credits in either Option A or B below.
Writing-Intensive RequirementThe 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 ProgramQualified 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 LicensureStudents who wish to become teachers should consult the Graduate School of Education chapter and attend an information session during their sophomore year. Information Sessions for teacher licensure are offered every month. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or consult the web site at gse.gmu.edu. Administration of Justice, BSThe BS in Administration of Justice provides a sound foundation in the liberal arts and a focused study of the justice system and the social, human, and moral problems raised in the administration of justice. The course of study prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, investigations, juvenile justice, private security, and a wide range of social and human services. The program also provides a strong background needed for law school and graduate study in administration of justice or public administration. Students may satisfy all degree requirements at George Mason. Students may also use up to 18 credits of approved ADJ courses taken at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) or another Virginia community college to fulfill requirements in categories 1-4 below. (No more than 9 credits may be used in category 1; no more than 6 credits in categories 2-4). Once a student enrolls at George Mason, no additional courses may be taken at another institution without prior written approval from the program and the college. Students transferring from the administration of justice program at Northern Virginia Community College are subject to special transfer policies and should consult with an advisor. In addition to the university-wide general education requirements, candidates for the BS in Administration of Justice must complete the following. Only ADJ courses passed with a minimum grade of 2.0 may be used to fulfill major requirements. 1. 21 credits in justice system and the legal process: ADJ 100 and 18 credits chosen from: ADJ 301, 302, 401, 402, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 460; GOVT 452; SOCI 475/575 2. 12 credits in social and human problems chosen from: ADJ 471, 475; SOCI 101, 301, 308, 309, 310, 315, 332, 352, 373, 401, 441; GOVT 103, 414; PSYC 100, 211, 231, 313, 314, 322, 325, 326, 327, 328, 362, 372, 561; SOCW 410, 423, 435 3. 12 credits in legal, philosophical, and ethical standards chosen from: ADJ 306, 423, 424; GOVT 101, 320, 420, 421, 424; PHIL 100, 151, 311, 326; SOCW 400 4. 22 credits in skills for the justice professional distributed as follows:
Writing-Intensive RequirementThe 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 any of the following courses: ADJ 303, 401, 404, 407, 408, 423, 424, 479, 480. Students should complete ENGL 302 before taking the writing intensive course in the major or take the two courses simultaneously. Honors ProgramQualified students may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors with a degree in Administration of Justice. Those highly qualified students selected for the honors program participate in a two-course sequence, ADJ 491 and 492. To graduate with honors in ADJ, students must complete these courses with a minimum GPA of 3.500. MinorsFor policies governing all minors, see "minors" under "The Undergraduate Academic Program" in the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. Interdisciplinary MinorsThe department coordinates the interdisciplinary minors in Asia-Pacific Studies, Global Systems, and Urban and Suburban Studies. See the Interdisciplinary Minors section in this chapter for descriptions. Minor in Administration of JusticeThis minor develops knowledge of the principles, institutions, and practices for systems of administering justice. It provides a solid foundation for students seeking to supplement their major area of study, develop knowledge and skills needed for justice-related occupations, or lay the foundation for possible graduate study in the justice field. Students first obtain an overview of the justice system, learn legal or ethical standards by which to judge the behavior of justice practitioners, and then develop advanced knowledge of selected features of the justice system. The minor requires 18 credits of course work in administration of justice, each course with a minimum grade of 2.0:
Students should plan their course of study with an administration of justice faculty advisor who will be assigned by the program. The minor must be approved by the administration of justice program before graduation. At least 9 credits must be completed at George Mason. A minimum grade of C must be achieved in all courses used to complete the minor. Minor in American GovernmentThis minor develops knowledge of the principles, institutions, and behaviors of the American political system. It is not available to students majoring in government and international politics. A minor in American government requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government and five additional courses from the following:
Minor in International/Comparative StudiesThis minor increases students' awareness of the regions and current issues of the world on theoretical and practical levels. It is not available to students majoring in government and international politics. A minor in international/comparative studies requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 132 or 133 Introduction to International/Comparative Politics and five additional courses chosen from the following:
Minor in Legal StudiesThis 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 and four additional courses from the following:
Minor in Public Policy and ManagementThis minor introduces students to the theory and process of policy formulation and implementation in the political/governmental arena. It is not available to students majoring in public administration. A minor in public policy and management requires 18 credits of government courses, including GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government, GOVT 351 Introduction to Public Administration and four additional courses from the following:
Graduate ProgramsPolitical Science, MAThe Master of Arts in Political Science is a 36-credit degree program that prepares students for advanced work in political science, for teaching and research about government, for careers in government and politics, and for work in domestic and international nongovernmental organizations. Students may specialize in American politics or in international relations and comparative politics. In addition, the interdisciplinary opportunities of the degree allow students to take up to 12 hours in related fields such as history or public policy. The program is made up of four core courses in the field of political science, two seminars in a field of specialization, and six advanced seminars and elective courses in the Department of Public and International Affairs, including up to four courses in other departments. Courses are offered at the Fairfax Campus in the evenings at 4:30 and 7:20 p.m. to accommodate both full-time and part-time students. The MA in Political Science can be the first step in a engaging and stimulating career. Students can develop a deeper understanding of political ideas and institutions, more sophisticated research skills, a better grasp of the intricacies of governments abroad, and a deeper knowledge of the complexities of international politics. Studies in political science can lead to careers teaching about government; working with legislative bodies, government agencies, and international organizations; and doing research and writing about politics and government. Application and AdmissionAdmission to the program is in the fall and spring. Applications are read as soon are they are complete. Late applications are considered on a space available basis. The application includes:
Program RequirementsStudents will be required to complete 36 hours of courses including 12 hours of core courses and 24 hours of specialized courses within the Department of Public and International Affairs and in other departments, including: 1. 12 hours of core courses in American Politics and Government (GOVT 510), International Politics (GOVT 540), Research Methods (GOVT 500), and Political Theory (GOVT 520). 2. 9 to 21 hours of course offerings chosen to reflect a specialization in American government or in international politics and comparative government.
3. Up to 12 hours of course work from other departments may be selected to complement the specialization and reflect the ideas, institutions or processes of contemporary governance. Courses should be approved in an education plan designed by the student and her or his advisor. Examples of courses in other departments that complement an American specialization might include HIST 628 Immigration and Ethnicity in the United States or ECON 828 Constitutional Economics. Examples of courses that complement an international and comparative specialization might include GEOG 581 World Food and Population; PUBP 550 Peace Operations. 4. 3 hours of GOVT 798 Research Project or 3 to 6 hours of GOVT 799 Thesis Research. Three (3) hours of research project may be linked to an advanced specialty course to produce a final research project. Arrangements for any of these options should be made with the advisor. A director and a committee of two additional faculty will read and approve the thesis if this option is selected. Students who wish to begin or alter their career in government and politics are encouraged to take a 3-hour internship in their area of interest. Internships can be arranged through the Department of Public and International Affairs. Accelerated MA in Political ScienceThe accelerated option allows admitted undergraduate students to take up to 12 graduate credits, apply those credits toward their undergraduate degree, and earn advanced standing in the MA in Political Science. Students earning 12 credits as undergraduates will take 24 credits as graduate students to complete the MA. To be eligible, George Mason University undergraduates must have completed at least 90 credits toward their bachelor's degree and have a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or higher. Students must apply to the MA in Political Science program and be admitted before they will be allowed to start the program. To apply, students must submit an application form, two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors, and a resume. The one-page application can be obtained at the graduate admissions desk in the Department of Public and International Affairs. Public Administration, MPAThe 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 organizations that develop or implement public policy. The curriculum consists of eight required courses and four electives. In the required courses, emphasis is placed on the development of knowledge about public policy and management, as well as analytical problem solving and communication skills. Elective courses can be used by students to focus their knowledge and skill development within one of the following eleven concentrations: public management, policy studies, public and nonprofit finance, nonprofit management, international management, state and local government, environmental science and public policy, human resources management, health policy and administration, administration of justice, and information policy and administration. 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 schools within the university. MPA students at George Mason have the research and cultural resources of the Washington, D.C. 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 MPA students is the wide range of internship opportunities available in governmental and nonprofit organizations. The MPA 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. MPA courses are delivered at both the Fairfax and Arlington Campuses during the week at 1:30, 4:30, 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 the Virginia Square 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 Vienna Metro. Parking is available at both the Fairfax and Arlington Campuses. Completion of the MPA can lead to a variety of postgraduate opportunities, including the Presidential Management Internship. With more than 1,000 alumni, the MPA program can also serve as a valuable source for networking and job placement. Additionally, the MPA can serve as a key credential in the pursuit of a PhD in Public Policy, offered by the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. Application and AdmissionStudents may start the MPA 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:
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 MPA program and the PhD in Public Policy program. For more information, contact the MPA coordinator at 703-993-1411. Transfer of CreditsStudents may request transfer credit for graduate courses taken at other accredited universities or colleges, for courses recommended for graduate credit by A.C.E. or for courses taken through Extended Studies at George Mason. Transfer credit is subject to university policies, and must be approved by the MPA program and the dean. Petitions for more than 6 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 MPA program in their first semester of study. Only 9 credits taken through extended studies may be transferred to the degree program. Program RequirementsAll students are required to take eight MPA 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.
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 Administration of Justice
Concentration in Environmental Science and Public PolicyPrevious science major
If the student would like more science (in place of BIOL 607), the department recommends one of the following ecology courses:
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
Concentration in Human Resources Management
Concentration in Information Policy and Administration
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 International Management
Concentration in Nonprofit Management
Concentration in Policy Studies
Concentration in Public Management
Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Finance
Concentration in State and Local Government
* Required elective in the concentration Certificate ProgramsThe MPA program offers four certificates: Administration of Justice, Association Management, Information Policy and Administration, and Nonprofit Management. Applications for admission to a certificate program are made through the Office of Graduate Admissions in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may enter a program at the beginning of any semester. Students may use up to 12 credits earned in a certificate program toward the MPA degree pending admission to the MPA program and subject to university policies. Admission RequirementsAdmission requirements for the certificate programs are the same as they are for the MPA degree program. Certificate RequirementsThe certificate is awarded after satisfactory completion of five graduate courses as specified below. Certificate in Administration of Justice
Certificate in Association Management
Two electives, chosen from the following:
Certificate in Information Policy and Administration
Certificate in Nonprofit ManagementThis certificate may be obtained through standard three-credit courses or through online courses.
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