Mason Online

Topic: Business & Leadership

Responsible Artificial Intelligence (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate prepares professionals to design, deploy, and manage AI‑enabled systems responsibly by integrating technical foundations, systems engineering, and ethical governance.

Offered 100% online through the College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University, this graduate certificate focuses on AI system architecture, safety and risk assessment, testing and evaluation, and ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations. Designed for engineers, technologists, and policy professionals, the program equips students to ensure reliable, accountable, and safe AI performance across high‑impact domains such as autonomous systems, healthcare, finance, education, and public policy.

The graduate certificate in Responsible AI provides students with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI), how AI systems are architected, the principles of systems engineering as they relate to AI systems, theories of AI safety and risk, how to test and evaluate such systems to meet risk thresholds, and how to identify ethical, legal and regulatory issues that arise in such systems. Students will be prepared to develop and manage complex systems with embedded AI, including identifying unique requirements for systems with embedded AI, testing and certifying these systems, and defining and maintaining safe levels of performance for deployed AI. Graduates will also be able to develop acquisition plans for complex systems with embedded AI and develop AI maintenance programs including auditing. Areas of application include safety-critical physical systems like self-driving cars, air taxis and health applications, as well as software-based systems like financial and banking systems, and those that support education and research.

Banner Code: EC-CERG-RSAI

Arts Management (MA)

Program Description

Arts Management is a developing field established to meet the ever-growing demand for leadership and organizational expertise within arts and cultural organizations, both private and public. Arts managers bridge the worlds of performing and visual arts with applied managerial, financial, and programmatic skills.

The Arts Management program at George Mason University is excited to offer an online Master’s Degree in Arts Management. Providing a high-quality education is key to our mission at Mason.

All online courses are designed and taught by experienced faculty who also work in the field as managing directors, chief financial officers, arts lawyers, event planners, fundraisers, marketing professionals, cultural heritage facilitators, among others. They work at leading theaters, performing arts centers, museums, cultural heritage sites and as arts consultants.

Contemporary Dispute Resolution (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Dispute Resolution prepares professionals with the analytical, interpersonal, and practical skills needed to manage and resolve disputes effectively across a variety of professional settings. Through focused coursework, students develop expertise in mediation, negotiation, coaching, and facilitation to address workplace conflict in environments such as schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local and state government agencies.

Students learn to analyze disputes within broader social and institutional contexts, including economic and racial inequality and unequal access to justice and education systems. The program emphasizes understanding the root causes of conflict, identifying power dynamics among disputing parties, and selecting appropriate dispute resolution strategies tailored to each situation.

Graduates of the Contemporary Dispute Resolution graduate certificate gain hands‑on training in conflict analysis and resolution methodologies, enabling them to support individuals and organizations in managing disputes constructively. Upon completion, students are prepared to apply mediation, negotiation, coaching, and facilitation techniques to promote collaboration, reduce conflict, and foster effective problem‑solving in professional and community settings.

Business Fundamentals (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Online Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals provides students with opportunities to gain broad business knowledge while offering choice in courses that best suit their career needs. Students will augment their skillsets from their own academic and professional disciplines with a fundamental understanding of effective business practices.

The Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals Concentration in General Business provides students with foundational knowledge in six key business areas of their choice while adding a fundamental understanding of effective business practices in key areas of business: accounting, finance, management, and marketing.

The Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals Concentration in Government Contract Management features a blend of required and elective courses tailored to government contracting professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in public procurement.

Human Capital and HR Management (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Human Capital and HR Management Graduate Certificate prepares professionals to build and lead effective, people‑centered organizations through strategic human resource management and workforce development.

Offered online by the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, this graduate certificate follows guidelines from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and focuses on essential competencies such as change management, employee selection, performance management, and workforce training. Designed for current and aspiring HR professionals, the program supports career advancement in human capital management, organizational development, and talent strategy across industries.

Successful companies drive organizational success by investing in their employees. Following guidelines from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the graduate certificate in human capital and human resource (HR) management is designed to help you build essential skills for effective human capital development, including change management, employee selection, performance management, and workforce training.

Management (MS)

Program Description

Costello’s Master of Science in Management program is designed to empower you to create a degree that matches your career aspirations. Build core business knowledge through the Costello College of Business while earning a certificate from schools across the University to customize your expertise. The program offers flexibility with online synchronous and in-person options for each core course, allowing you to mix formats or complete the program entirely online or in person. Together, your core coursework and certificate create a master’s program that sharpens your business skills, broadens your perspective, and expands your professional network.

Banner code: BC-MS-MGMT

Finance (MS)

Program Description

The STEM-designated Master of Science in Finance program prepares students with quantitative expertise, a solid foundation of financial knowledge, and soft skills for dynamic careers in the finance sector, including investments, banking, corporate finance, and financial regulation. Become skilled at navigating diverse regulatory environments both locally and globally while applying the latest quantitative and analytical methods to analyze complex financial issues.

Banner code: BC-MS-BUSA

Information Security Management (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Information Security Management Graduate Certificate prepares professionals to manage and lead organizational cybersecurity and information security programs at the intersection of technology, business, and risk management.

Offered 100% online by the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, this graduate certificate emphasizes information security governance, cybersecurity strategy, data‑driven decision‑making, and security program implementation.

Designed for professionals who serve as a bridge between technical security teams and business leadership, the program equips graduates to address complex information security challenges, coordinate cybersecurity projects, and support enterprise‑wide security initiatives. Connect principles of information technology, computer systems management, and business operations to organizational information security.

Learn how to implement tailored information security solutions, become adept at leading strategic discussions, and excel in managing complex information security issues with a graduate certificate in information security management from the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.

George Mason University’s graduate certificate in information security management positions you to manage relationships between technical security experts and non-technical employees so you can serve as a vital liaison in any organization. Through your coursework you’ll explore common issues in information security management and the programs needed to address them. You’ll also learn to use automated tools and data-driven decision making in information security, and to effectively coordinate project teams of cybersecurity engineers.

Banner code: BC-CERG-ISMG

Government Accounting (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Government Accounting Graduate Certificate provides specialized training in federal government accounting and financial management for professionals working in or supporting the public sector.

Offered 100% online by the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, this graduate certificate builds expertise in government accounting standards, auditing, and financial reporting, with a strong emphasis on federal agencies.

George Mason University’s graduate certificate in government accounting, in partnership with Kearney & Company, is an opportunity for you to acquire education in the field of government accounting with a federal government emphasis. Courses in the certificate program will also help prepare you to sit for the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) exam sponsored by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA).

Improve your government financial management knowledge with a graduate certificate in government accounting from the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.

Forensic Accounting (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificate equips professionals with specialized skills to detect, investigate, and prevent financial fraud and white‑collar crime.

Delivered 100% online, this graduate certificate prepares students to apply forensic accounting methods, fraud examination techniques, and analytical tools across legal, regulatory, and corporate environments.

Designed for accountants, auditors, and professionals in public accounting, consulting, government, law enforcement, and financial services, the program responds to the growing demand for expertise in risk assessment, compliance, and financial investigations.

Banner code: BC-CERG-FACC