School of Public Policy
3351 Fairfax Drive, MS 3B1
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-993-2280
Web: policy.gmu.edu
E-mail: spp@gmu.edu
College Code: PP
As of August 1, 2014, the School of Public Policy and the department of Public and International Affairs have merged into the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs.
The transformations of local, regional, national and global institutions pose critical challenges for an increasingly complex society. Solving those challenges requires an interdisciplinary approach to policy making. The School of Public Policy (SPP) is committed to transcending traditional boundaries in policy formation while integrating real-world experience and problem-solving into public policy education. With an emphasis on applied knowledge, SPP teaches the methodological and communication skills graduates need to design and promote effective policies.
The School’s programs focus on the interplay among economic, political, social and cultural forces that shape policy outcomes. As such, the School’s faculty members have diverse backgrounds, ranging from economics to political science, sociology, anthropology and law. They are experts in diverse topic areas, including transportation, economic development, national security, ethics, health care, global trade, education, governance, and technology.
Administration
Mark J. Rozell, Acting Dean
David M. Hart, Acting Senior Associate Dean
Roger R. Stough, Associate Dean for Research and Development
Matthys van Schaik, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Elizabeth C. Eck, Assistant Dean for Graduate Program Management
Jill V. Emerson, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Faculty
Acs, Addleson, Anacker, Arias, Auerswald, Baker, Button, Cronin, Dinan, Earle, Frendak-Blume, Fritschler, Fuller, Gifford, Goldstone, Hart, Haynes, Heineman-Pieper, High, Hughes Hallett, Ketkar, Koizumi, Listokin, Malawer, Mayer, McNeely, Perry, Pfiffner, Rajan, Reinert, Rhodes, Root, Rozell, Rudder, Ruth, Schintler, Shelley, Sommer, Stough, Thatchenkery, Tolchin, Washington, Wedel, Zolnik
Associate Faculty
Avruch, Conlan, Guagnano, Heclo, Mahler, Paden, Regan, Scimecca
Research and Term Faculty
Davis, Deitz, Finkelstein, Habayeb, Hayden, Kauzlarich, LaPorte, Malur, Nicogossian, Ost, Pommerening, Robb, Schneider, Stabile, van Schaik, Versel
Adjunct Faculty
Clendenin, DiGiulian, Gordon, Keightley, Miller, Muhlhausen, Pasurka, Rough, Sullivan, Thompson
Faculty Emeritus
Armor, Hill, Kash
Course Work
SPP offers courses designated PUBP, ITRN, ODKM and TELE in the Courses section of this catalog.
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.
Student Appeal and Grievance Procedures
The School of Public Policy has student appeal and grievance procedures laid out in its bylaws. These are based on George Mason University’s honor system. Students are responsible for understanding the provisions of the code that are described in detail in this catalog and in the School of Public Policy student services guide.
Students may appeal decisions concerning academic actions, including termination. Written appeals must be submitted to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. The merit of these appeals will be reviewed in consultation with the Dean and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The decision is final.
Grade appeals are made to the Dean. Students should contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in writing to initiate the process. The Dean’s decision is final.
A student who is facing termination from the program for non-academic reasons may appeal the decision to the Dean. This appeal must be in writing and must be received within 30 calendar days of the date on the notice of dismissal or termination. The Dean will appoint a committee to review the appeal. This committee will make a recommendation to the Dean concerning the appeal. The Dean will make a final determination. This determination may not be appealed.
Students with grievances should direct them in writing to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, who will provide guidance on how to resolve their concerns in accordance with established university procedures.
Research Centers
Center For Emerging Market Policies
Co-Directors: Andrew Hughes Hallett, DPhil and Sonia Ketkar, PhD
This center aims to be a premier research and teaching hub on international commerce, economics and public policy issues relating to emerging markets. It leverages Mason’s and the School of Public Policy’s considerable expertise on and interest in emerging markets to promote pioneering applied research on emerging markets in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and elsewhere.
Center For Energy Science and Policy
Co-Directors: David M. Hart, PhD and Allison McFarlane, PhD
This center, a joint initiative of the College of Science and School of Public Policy, provides objective analysis of key issues in the energy field that is grounded in original research. It serves as a center of gravity for the many researchers at George Mason whose work engages them with these issues and connects them with decision-makers in the economy, society, and government.
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 entrepreneurial 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 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 Microeconomic Policy Research
Director: John Earle, PhD
This center is a forum for policy-relevant research using micro-economic and micro-econometric methods.
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 Security Policy Studies
Director: Audrey Kurth Cronin, DPhil
Today’s security challenges–from proliferation and terrorism to climate change and cyber security– are beyond the scope of any one nation-state to address. Finding solutions requires international and multi-lateral cooperation among regional and global leaders, both state-based and outside the state, including corporate and non-governmental actors. The purpose of the Center for Security Policy Studies is to strengthen global strategic thinking by current and future policy-makers, so as to improve US and global security in the 21st century.
Center for Science and Technology Policy
Director: David M. Hart, 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.
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.
Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy
Director: Jonathan L. Gifford, PhD
The Center is devoted to advancing the objective consideration of public-private partnerships for transportation system renewal and expansion through research, education and public service. The Center supports development of U.S. and international case studies of P3 projects and programs, analyses of the impact of P3s, sponsors workshops and conferences, and supports graduate students and faculty.
Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy
Director: Mark Sagoff, PhD
The Institute brings philosophical analysis – examining values and clarifying concepts – to the discussion of pressing issues in public policy. Within the School of Public Policy and in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute members address moral, legal and societal concerns that arise, for example, with emerging technologies, international development, and global demands for ending injustice.
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.
International Center for Regulatory Science
Director: Roger Stough, PhD
Recognizing that science plays an increasingly critical role in government policy formation and decision-making, and that regulatory science involves various scientific disciplines, as well as engineering, economics and other analytic fields, the center’s objective is to enhance policy development and regulatory efficacy. ICRS will work with other organizations locally, in the USA, as well as at the international level to evolve and further define the field of regulatory science and its methods and applications to policy and regulatory practice.
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.
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: Jonathan L. Gifford, 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.
Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Program(s)
Master's Degree(s)
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Health and Medical Policy, MS (SPP)
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International Commerce and Policy, MA
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International Security, MA (pending SCHEV approval) (SPP)
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Organization Development and Knowledge Management, MS
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Peace Operations, MS
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Public Policy, EMPP
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Public Policy, MPP
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Telecommunications Policy, MA
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Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics, MA
Master's Level Certificate(s)
Doctoral Degree(s)
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