Public Policy (MPP)
Program Summary
Hybrid OR 100% Online
Credits: 36-39 total
Degree: MPP
College/School: Schar School of Policy and Government
Start Date: 8/25/2025
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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.
Careers
In addition to university-wide resources, the Schar School has a dedicated team of student services and career development advisors to assist you in your academic and professional plans. The Master’s in Public Policy 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 MPP program graduates:
- Accenture
- BAE Systems
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- CACI International
- CIA
- City of Falls Church
- Grant Thornton
- Inter-American Development Bank
- Northrop Grumman
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- SRA International
- USAID
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. House of Representatives
- World Bank
Courses
Program requirements may change; please refer to the Public Policy, MPP 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.
Details
Who should apply?
The Master of Public Policy, MPP leads to a degree for aspiring or experienced professionals who seek career advancement through cutting-edge education and training in policy analysis and development in increasingly technical and global environments. The program prepares students to be reflective practitioners who develop, implement, manage, analyze, evaluate, and effect innovative change in the public and private sectors through a course of study that emphasizes the fundamentals of policy development; the role of technology, analytic assessment, and modeling for policy evaluation; and the implications of international and global perspectives on policy formation. Courses are offered primarily in late afternoon and evening to fit the schedules of busy professionals.
Financial Aid
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.
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 closely connected to the epicenter of policymaking and public service, and the hub of the nonprofit sector.
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. Notable faculty members in the public policy program include program director Bonnie Stabile, Dean Mark J. Rozell, Siona Listokin-Smith, Janine Wedel, Stephen Fuller, and many more.
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
Justin Gest (VSE)
Email: [email protected]
School Contact
Schar School Graduate Admissions (VSE)
Phone: (703) 993-8099
Email: [email protected]
Program Website:
Department Website:
