Overview

The Public Administration programme at George Mason University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how leadership, management, and politics intersect. This degree is designed to equip professionals with the analytical tools and communication skills necessary to implement and manage complex public policies effectively. Graduates emerge ready to take on senior-level positions within various governmental and non-profit organisations.

Why Public Administration at George Mason University?

Choosing this programme means joining one of the largest and most respected communities of its kind in the United Kingdom and the United States. The curriculum is accredited by NASPAA, ensuring a high standard of academic rigour and professional relevance. Students benefit from a prime location near Washington, D.C., providing unparalleled access to a network of leading scholars and practitioners at the heart of policymaking. The programme is highly ranked, currently holding the No. 36 spot for public affairs and No. 12 for non-profit management according to U.S. News & World Report.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 41124 per year
National fee: USD 41124 per year
Local fee: USD 18060 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to provide a balance of core fundamentals and specialised knowledge. Modules may include:

Administrative Law
Organisation Theory
Emergency Management
Homeland Security
Global Civic Society
Privacy Policy
Public Policy
Program Evaluation
Urban Politics

Students can further customise their degree through various concentrations, such as Human Resource Management, International Management, or Public and Nonprofit Finance.

Careers with Public Administration

Graduates from George Mason University find success across a diverse range of sectors, with a significant number entering local and federal government roles. The Schar School provides dedicated career development services, including personalised coaching and access to an extensive alumni network. Recent graduates have secured positions at prestigious organisations and agencies, including:

Deloitte Consulting
Federal Bureau of Investigation
World Bank
Lockheed Martin
Booz Allen Hamilton
Peace Corps
Social Security Administration
IBM

Whether pursuing roles in the private sector, non-governmental organisations, or state government, the programme ensures students are prepared for the demands of the modern public service workforce.

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations

Organization Theory and Management Behavior

Public Policy Process

Ethics and Public Administration

Collaborative Public Management

Economic Analysis in Public Administration

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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IELTS

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Credits

36 SCH

36-39

Delivered

On Campus, Blended, Online

Campus Location

Fairfax, United States
Arlington, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 595 other Masters in Public Administration in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Completed applications for fall and spring semesters are reviewed on a rolling basis, with late applications considered on a space-available basis. Students may be admitted for nondegree study and apply a limited number of credits toward the master's degree should they choose to apply to the degree program later, in accordance with university and school policy.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

41124 USD / year

≈ 41124 USD / year
Out-of-State

41124 USD / year

≈ 41124 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

18060 USD / year

≈ 18060 USD / year

Living costs

Fairfax

United States

1330 - 2300 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Administration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Fairfax

Financing

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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