2014-2015 University Catalog 
  
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2014-2015 University Catalog

Public Administration, MPA

Banner Code:  LA-MPA-PUAD

Web: pia.gmu.edu

The master of public administration (MPA) is designed for people who hold or aspire to hold leadership positions in organizations that participate in the development and implementation of public policy. The mission of the MPA program is to give graduate students the opportunity to build their knowledge of politics, public policy and management and to enhance their analytic, problem solving, and communication skills.

MPA students at Mason have the research and cultural resources of the Washington, D.C. area at their disposal. Government agencies representing all levels in the U.S. federal system are located close to the campus, as are the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. Another benefit 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 held at the Fairfax and the Arlington campuses during the week and on the weekend in an accelerated format.

An accelerated master’s option is available to students in the government and international politics  or public administration  bachelor’s program.  See each listing for specific requirements.

This program of study is offered by the Department of Public and International Affairs .

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Academic Policies .

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission  section of this catalog. For information specific to the MPA, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site.

Transfer of Credit

Students may transfer credit into the MPA program from graduate courses taken at other institutions or taken at Mason in nondegree status. Transfer credit is subject to university and college policies and must be approved by the MPA director and the dean. Students who enroll initially through nondegree studies should submit their application to the MPA in the first semester of study. Only 9 credits taken in nondegree status may be transferred to the degree program. See additional information in the Academic Policies  section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements

The required courses emphasize the development of knowledge about public policy and management, as well as analytical problem-solving and communication skills, and third-party governance. Through these courses, students develop a shared knowledge base and skill set. The elective courses can be used by students to focus their knowledge and skill development within one concentration. Alternatively, the electives can be used to extend the breadth of study with courses drawn from a variety of concentrations or from other departments and schools across the university.

The MPA curriculum is arranged in a sequential manner. PUAD 500-level courses are foundation courses, 600-level courses are intermediate courses, and the 700-level courses are advanced courses. Students must take PUAD 500-level, or foundation courses, during the first two semesters, followed by 600-level classes. The PUAD 700-level courses should be taken during the last semester or two of enrollment in the MPA program.

For example, a full-time student should enroll in PUAD 502  and two other 500-level courses, such as PUAD 511  and PUAD 520 , during the first semester. In the second semester the student should enroll in PUAD 540  and two intermediate courses such as PUAD 662  and a 600-level elective course.

Part-time students taking two courses a semester should take PUAD 502  and either PUAD 511  or 520  during the first semester, followed by either PUAD 511  or 520  and PUAD 540  in the second semester.

Requests for taking a course out of sequence must be made in writing to the student’s advisor and must be approved by the advisor before enrollment.

Six core courses (18 credits)

One additional methods course (3 credits) chosen from:

One course (3 credits) in accounting, budgeting, and financial management chosen from:

Four elective courses (12 credits)

Students may take their elective courses within one of the concentrations listed below. As an alternative, with the approval of their advisor, students may select their elective courses from several concentrations or fields.

Concentrations

Students may declare only one concentration. PUAD 794 Internship  and PUAD 796 Directed Reading and Research  may be applied to a concentration where content is appropriate and with prior written approval of the student’s advisor. Other courses may also be applied to a concentration with prior written approval of the advisor.

▲ Concentration in Administration of Justice (ADJ)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Environmental Science and Public Policy (EVPP)

CONF 695 - Selected Topics  and COMM 590 - Seminar in Communication  when topic is the environment, may be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior written approval of the student’s advisor.

One required course (3 credits):
Three elective courses (9 credits) chosen from:
Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Human Resources Management (HRM)
One required course (3 credits):
Three elective courses (9 credits) chosen from:
Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in International Management (IM)
One required course (3 credits):
Three elective courses (9 credits) chosen from:
  • CONF and ITRN courses with written prior approval of the director
Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Nonprofit Management (NPMG)

Students in the nonprofit concentration may take PUAD 505  as one of their first four courses and may take PUAD 505  simultaneously with PUAD 502 . Likewise, students in the international concentration may take PUAD 504  as one of their first four courses.

Two required courses (6 credits):
Two elective courses (6 credits) chosen from:
Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Policy Studies (PS)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Public Management (PMG)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Finance (PNF)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in State and Local Government (SLG)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Concentration in Third-Party Governance (TPG)

Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:

Total: 12 credits

Total: 36 credits

Master’s International

The Master’s International (MI), a joint program between Mason and the Peace Corps, enables participants to prepare for Peace Corps volunteer service while earning the MPA. Students apply separately, but at the same time, to the Peace Corps and to Mason. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits prior to their Peace Corps service; this will give the student a foundation to enhance their value as a Peace Corps volunteer. Six credits are earned as internship credits for the Peace Corps service. The internship requires a project, agreed upon by the student and his/her advisor, and includes a presentation delivered to faculty and students after the student returns to the U.S. Upon completion of the two years of service, the student will receive a tuition grant for the six internship credits. Students return to Mason after their two years of service to complete the remaining coursework required for the 36-credit MPA.