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Sociology (BA)

Program Description

Sociology is the systematic study of today’s most pressing issues: social justice and inequality and the tension between individual freedom and institutional social control.  Sociologists explore how individuals create and re-create a self within the context of their culture and history.  Sociology also traces the emergence and persistence of social movements driven by groups seeking to transform society.  Sociology courses offer opportunities to look broadly at the ways race, ethnicity, gender and social class affect our own lives and the lives of others and sociology students gain the knowledge to become agents of social change. Mason’s Sociology program emphasizes sociology, where theory and research moves out of the classroom into the world and provides concrete solutions to urgent social problems.

Global Affairs (BA)

Program Description

The study of Global Affairs offers both broad perspectives and specialized knowledge on complex issues such as terrorism, refugee crises, global inequality, and health and environmental challenges. Core courses in the major provide the foundation for this understanding. Your choice of a thematic or regional concentration helps you tailor your degree to your particular interests and career goals.

Public Policy (MPP)

Program Description

Address a vast range of public concerns, including terrorism, human trafficking, gender studies, environmental hazards, and hunger with the Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government.

Effective public policies advance the public good. The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program at the Schar School of Policy and Government prepares you to move into influential positions in the policy world. You will develop skills in policymaking and analysis necessary to understand and solve critical problems. Our MPP graduates advance in careers across a wide range of policy areas and hold positions throughout the public and private sectors, including government agencies, NGOs, and consulting firms.

Public Administration (MPA)

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.

Organization Development and Knowledge Management (MS)

Program Description

Program Description: The Master’s in Organization Development and Knowledge Management MS at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government will prepare you with the skills needed to lead change in complex organizations.

In this cohort-based program, you will be part of a dynamic community of professionals. Explore organizational leadership theory and practice, the shift from hierarchical structures to group-based learning, and best practices to promote the creation of adaptive, collaborative work environments. You will graduate from the organization development master’s program with the capacity to manage, evaluate, and affect rapid change in government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations.

International Security (MA)

Program Description

The Master’s in International Security , MA program prepares professionals to address enduring and emerging security challenges of the 21st century, by deepening conceptual knowledge of the field, learning in-depth about a range of current security issues, and mastering analytic and policy skills for a career in the field. The international security program provides strong background in theories of international relations and strategic thought, as well as electives on a wide range of topics, from great power competition to terrorism and WMD, and nontraditional threats from crime and corruption, cyberspace, food and natural resource insecurities, and more. The approach is inclusive and cross-disciplinary. Students will learn about leadership, decision-making, and the major national security institutions of defense, intelligence, and diplomacy.

Global Commerce and Policy (MA)

Program Description

This innovative master’s degree program is designed for current and aspiring private and public sector professionals who seek the knowledge and skills to be effective in an increasingly complex world marketplace. Designed to provide the practical tools needed to compete in the global economy, this interdisciplinary program explores the way business, technology, law, economics, and public policy affect complex cross-border activities. Unlike traditional international affairs programs, the Master’s in Global Commerce and Policy program focuses on international economic issues such as global trade, finance, and investment. It is also distinguished from an MBA program by providing training in the political, technological, cultural, and social aspects of the global economy.

Spanish Heritage Language Education (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education (SHLE) is an innovative interdisciplinary program that prepares educators and affiliated professionals to advocate for heritage speakers of Spanish as well as to design and implement teaching materials and curricula for heritage speakers of Spanish. The SHLE certificate, which can be completed fully online, will provide you with expertise on the educational needs of heritage speakers of Spanish as well as antiracist, social justice-oriented approaches to teaching Spanish. You’ll also learn about current Latinx and Latin American literature, culture, film, and television, and how to effectively incorporate them into Spanish curricula.

Please visit the program page on the Spanish Department website for more information on the program.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (PhD)

Program Description

Researchers in the field of bioinformatics and computational biology collect, store, analyze, and present complex biological data using high-performance computing. Through this work, critical contributions are made to disease detection, drug design, forensics, agriculture, and environmental sciences. This research-oriented program trains a new generation of computational biologists for careers in private industry, academia, and government agencies. The program provides students with interdisciplinary academic curriculum that includes fundamental bioscience courses as well as advanced courses in bioinformatics.

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In general, course requirements are completed within the first two years of study. Completion of coursework, the comprehensive exam, and a successful dissertation proposal results in advancement to candidacy status. In the next phase, students conduct research guided by a faculty member. The program is concluded with the defense of PhD dissertation.

The program is structured to be accessible for full- and part-time students. The courses are offered in a hybrid or distance learning format without requiring students to travel to campus. Because the research work is computational, students may choose to earn their doctoral degree entirely remotely or in a traditional face-to-face format.

Master of Computer Science (MS)

Program Description

Prepare to create software solutions for the future in George Mason University’s online MS in Computer Science program.

You’ll gain expert-level problem-solving abilities while building skills in advanced programming, model construction and analysis, and analysis of algorithms as you advance your knowledge in the top areas of computer science, including:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Databases
  • Programming Languages
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems and Networks
  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • Visual Computing
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You’ll learn how to create software solutions to complex issues as you learn from highly experienced, award-winning faculty.

By graduation, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to solve the challenges you’ll face as a computer software engineer, architect, or developer.

Ranked a Top 30 Program, and Highest-Ranked Computer Science Program in Virginia, by CSRankings.org

Top 65 Best Computer Science Schools by U.S. News & World Report, 2022