Public Administration (MPA)
Program Summary
Hybrid OR 100% Online
Credits: 36-39 total
Degree: MPA
College/School: Schar School of Policy and Government
Start Date: 8/25/2025
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Program Description
Sound leadership and management are vital to organizational and governmental effectiveness. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government puts you on a path toward senior-level positions in organizations that implement and manage public policies. In this program, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how leadership, management, policy, and politics intersect, along with the tools to enhance your communication, budgeting, and analytic skills. As a graduate of one of the largest MPA programs in the country, you will join thousands of Schar School alumni working in various roles in local, state, and national government, nonprofit management, and many other careers.
Careers
The Master of Public Administration program prepares students for a range of industries and roles in the public and private sectors. In a recent graduating class career outcomes survey, the following were the top employers of MPA program graduates:
- Arlington County Government
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Deloitte Consulting
- Fairfax County Government
- FBI
- IBM
- ICF International
- Lockheed Martin
- Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
- Pan American Development Foundation
- Peace Corps
- Social Security Administration
- SRA International
- Vanguard Communications
- World Bank
Courses
Program requirements may change; please refer to the Public Administration, MPA 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.
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.
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 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.
Financial Aid
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.
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 GCPO 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
- Graduate application and fee
- 750-1,000 word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Current 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)
- Two letters of recommendation. At least one recommendation should be from an individual who is qualified to attest to the candidate’s academic potential
- Additional requirements for applicants with international credentials
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact [email protected] or (703) 993-2280.
Scholarship Requirements
The Schar School of Policy and Government awards merit-based scholarships based on an applicant’s academic achievements.
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Contact
Program Contact
Bonnie Stabile
Email: [email protected]
Program Website:
School Contact
Schar School Graduate Admissions
Phone: (703) 993-8099
Email: [email protected]
Department Website:
