Finley Building
4400 University Drive, MS 3C6
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-993-2280
Web: policy.gmu.edu
E-mail: spp@gmu.edu
3401 Fairfax Drive, MS 3B1
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-993-8200
Web: policy.gmu.edu
E-mail: spp@gmu.edu
College Code: PP
Rooted in the strong democratic government traditions of the commonwealth of Virginia, the School of Public Policy (SPP) is committed to transcending traditional conceptual boundaries of research and teaching by integrating real-world experience and problem solving into public policy education. The school’s programs focus on the interplay of culture, organizations, and technology to find alternative approaches to public policy decisions and policy making. Teaching and research are focused on the following principal themes: governance; regional and economic development; international commerce and policy; science and technology policy; transportation policy; entrepreneurship; and culture and values in public policy.
SPP contributes to new and innovative concepts in policy formation while building on the fundamental, pluralistic, and democratic characteristics of policy making in the United States. SPP endorses creativity and responsibility in governance, public management, and the development of economic policy.
Administration
Kingsley E. Haynes, Dean
James H. Finkelstein, Vice Dean
Jonathan L. Gifford, Associate Dean for Research and Development
Matthys van Schaik, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
William H. Coester, Assistant Dean for Human Resources and Planning
Elizabeth C. Eck, Assistant Dean for Program Management
Jill V. Emerson, Assistant Dean for Student Services
Leslie Metzger Levin, Assistant Dean for Graduate Admissions and Marketing
Faculty
Acs, Addleson, Armor, Auerswald, Baker, Button, Davidson, Dinan, Fauntroy, Finkelstein, Frendak-Blume, Fritschler, Fuller, Gifford, Goldstone, Hart, Haynes, Heineman-Pieper, High, Hill, Hughes Hallett, Kelley, Koizumi, LaPorte, Listokin, Malawer, Marshall, Mayer, McNeely, Olmstead, Perry, Petersen, Pfiffner, Pommerening, Rajan, Reinert, Root, Rozell, Rudder, Ruth, Schintler, Shelley, Sibley, Sommer, Stough, Thatchenkery, Tolchin, van Schaik, Wedel
Associate Faculty
Avruch, Bernold, Conlan, Donahue, Flood, Frase, Friesz, Guagnano, Heclo, Hennessey, Mahler, Paden, Regan, Scimecca
Research and Term Faculty
Benson, Courtot, Davis, Ferrin, Ha, Holleman, Johnson, Keenan, Kil, Kingston, Leitch, Malur, Nicogossian, Paelinck, Regan, Riggle, Robb, Segerson, Spalding, Wheeler
Adjunct Faculty
Bensimon, Burris, Fowler, Gaske, Gianturco, Gordon, Kewley, Muhlhausen, Robinson, Rogowsky, Stabile, Sullivan, Thompson, Varkonyi, Watkins
Faculty Emeritus
Kash, Warfield
Course Work
SPP offers courses designated PUBP, ITRN, MNPS, LRNG, and TELE in the Courses chapter of this catalog. Other academic courses are offered in conjunction with the research activities of the Mason Enterprise Center.
Law and Public Policy, Joint Degree Program
The School of Public Policy and the School of Law offer a joint JD/MPP degree program in law and public policy studies. For more information, go to www.law.gmu.edu/academics/llm.html.
Academic Policies
Students should become familiar with the university’s general academic policies in addition to those specific to each academic unit. Please see the Academic Policies section of the catalog.
Research Centers
Center for Regional Analysis
Director: Stephen Fuller, PhD
Focusing on economic development in technologically intensive regions, the Center for Regional Analysis (CRA) maintains a corporate technology database for the national capital region. The CRA provides economic forecasting services to government agencies at all levels around the world.
Center for Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics
Director: Kenneth J. Button, PhD
This center works with federal and state authorities to find better ways to manage existing transport networks from surface to air to space. The center is active in the areas of intelligent transportation systems and aviation policy.
International Center for Applied Studies in Information Technology
Director: Stephen Ruth, PhD
The International Center for Applied Studies in Information Technology (ICASIT) is a consulting group dedicated to delivering the power of the Internet to businesses, underserved markets, and developing countries. ICASIT has contracts in more than 20 countries.
Mason Enterprise Center
Director: Kingsley E. Haynes, PhD
Dedicated to creating and developing businesses in the Washington, D.C., area, the Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) is the synthesis of seven programs designed to meet the needs of growing businesses. The center focuses the energy, skills, and intellectual capital of the university on enterprise creation, expansion, and restructuring. MEC is highly geared on providing its clients with services that add value to their organizations. The center specializes in business development, entrepreneurship, government contracting, international business, technology ventures, and telework, making it a business-development center unlike any other. In addition, MEC conducts seminars and conferences related to its areas of expertise.
Center for Global Policy
Director: Jack Goldstone, PhD
This center conducts research on a wide range of global policy issues, including foreign trade, democratization and statebuilding, and transnational networks. It also analyzes specific policy issues for a variety of government agencies, and develops and serves as the home to several major cross-national databases for global policy.
Center for Science and Technology Policy
Director: Philip Auerswald, PhD
This center helps facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among the worldwide science, foreign affairs, trade, and technology communities. Areas of emphasis include international trade and science and technology.
Center for the Study of International Medical Policies and Practices
Director: Arnauld Nicogossian, MD
This center provides leadership and focus on global medical and public health policies and processes, working collaboratively with health, science, and medical organizations in the public and private sectors, and academic organizations to address pressing global policy concerns.
State Economic Development Center
Director: Kingsley E. Haynes, PhD
This center’s focus is on providing education, training, and research support for state-level economic development policy and programs. While the primary goal is to provide assistance to agencies and organizations in Virginia, the center also works with other government organizations in the United States as well as abroad. Methods employed by the center include roundtable discussions, formal focus groups, survey research, statistical analysis, and mathematical models.
Center for Entrepreneurship and Public Policy
Director: Zoltan Acs, PhD
Economic development policy has shifted dramatically from a business and industry attraction strategy to a more entrepreneurship approach. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Public Policy focuses on entrepreneurship policy research and program delivery, offering programs in research, collaboration, and analysis.
Center for Aerospace Policy
Director: Kenneth J. Button, PhD
The mission of the Center for Aerospace Policy is to develop the U.S. aerospace sector by providing educational and research resources. The center helps national agencies, such as NASA, enhance their internal efficiency and smooth the interface between U.S. agencies and other government agencies, the private sector, and foreign counterparts.
Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center
Director: Louise I. Shelley, PhD
The Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) is the first center in the United States devoted to understanding the links among terrorism, transnational crime and corruption. The center teaches, researches and formulates policy on these critical issues. TraCCC accomplishes its mission through international research partnerships engaging in fundamental and applied research projects. Research addresses such diverse concerns as national security, economic development and human rights.
Transportation and Economic Development Research Center
Director: Brien Benson, PhD
The Transportation and Economic Development Research Center is a University Transportation Center, funded by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Center conducts research in transportation finance, transportation and land use, and entrepreneurship and innovation in transportation.
Master's Degree
Master's Level Certificate
Doctoral Degree
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