Illicit Trade Analysis (Graduate Certificate)
Program Summary
Hybrid OR 100% Online
Credits: 15 total
Degree: Graduate Certificate
College/School: Schar School of Policy and Government
Start Date: 8/24/2026
Request Info
Program Description
The Certificate in Illicit Trade Analysis at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government operates at the intersection of social science, national security, international trade, and law enforcement. It draws on the expertise of the Schar School’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) and its new Anti-Illicit Trade Institute (AITI). The graduate certificate program supports professional credentials for individuals working in government, the private sector, the legal community, inter-governmental organizations, think tanks, journalists, and nonprofit organizations.
The Certificate in Illicit Trade Analysis is the first state-accredited certificate on this topic in the United States. It will be of interest to professionals pursuing careers in law enforcement and policy-making, as well as members of the business and finance sector working on risk management, commerce and supply chains, and regulation of the financial community.
Consisting of only five courses, this is an affordable and strategic investment in advancing your career by earning a credential from one of the top-ranked policy schools in the U.S., while obtaining critical knowledge on some of the most pressing international issues.
Banner code: PP-CERG-ILTA
Careers
As a Schar School student, you may also contact the Schar School Career Services for more career information and counseling.
Courses
Program requirements may change; please refer to the Illicit Trade Analysis graduate certificate program page in the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements. This program can be completed completely online or in a hybrid format.
New to online learning? Visit our Online Learning Tips and Strategies page to learn more about what to expect and how to succeed in an online course at George Mason.
Details
Who should apply?
The Illicit Trade Analysis Graduate Certificate at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government is designed for professionals pursuing careers in law enforcement and policymaking, as well as members of the business and finance sector working on risk management, commerce and supply chains, and regulation of the financial community.
Tuition & Financial Aid
All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.
Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.
For information on loans, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding merit scholarships and Regional Pricing, please inquire with your graduate department. Additionally, visit the Office of Military Services for information about Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA), a benefit for eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact [email protected] or (703) 993-8099.
Why choose George Mason?
With George Mason University’s prime location in the Washington, D.C. area, Schar School students gain access to leading scholars and practitioners who bring real-world experience to the classroom, providing you with the mentorship and skillsets needed to advance in your career.
The Schar School as a whole has 80+ faculty members, as well as hundreds of adjunct faculty, allowing students to gain access to a variety of perspectives and subjects through elective courses. Full-time GCP professors have held positions at the World Bank, the US International Trade Commission, the United Nations Development Program, the US Treasury, the European Commission, the US Office of Technology Assessment, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Beyond this, they have even more extensive consulting experience around the world.
Ready to Apply?
Application Requirements
All applicants should review Schar School of Policy and Government Application Requirements. Those with international credentials should follow Schar’s International Applicant Requirements.
Application Materials
- Graduate application and fee
- 750-1000 word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Resume
- Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. For international institutions, transcripts may be unofficial but should include cumulative transcripts, degree certificate, individual semester marksheets (if applicable), and diploma (if applicable).
- Please select “Degree-seeking” in the application portal if you are applying to a graduate certificate
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact [email protected] or (703) 993-8099.
Apply Now
Contact
Program Website:
Illicit Trade Analysis Graduate Certificate
School Contact
Schar School Graduate Admissions
Phone: (703) 993-8099
Email: [email protected]
Department Website:
