Overview

The Public Policy programme at George Mason University provides students with the analytical tools and practical knowledge required to address complex societal challenges. This Master of Public Policy (MPP) is delivered through the Schar School of Policy and Government, focusing on the development and implementation of effective public solutions. Students engage with a curriculum that balances theoretical foundations with the technical skills necessary for modern policy evaluation.

Why Public Policy at George Mason University?

Studying at George Mason University offers a distinct advantage due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., providing unparalleled access to the heart of international policymaking. The Schar School of Policy and Government features a robust faculty of over 80 scholars and practitioners who bring real-world expertise into the classroom. Students benefit from a diverse range of elective subjects and the opportunity to learn from notable figures in the fields of gender studies, environmental hazards, and international security.

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 designed to equip students with the fundamentals of policy formation and analytic assessment. Modules may include:

Policy Development
Analytic Assessment
Modeling for Policy Evaluation
International and Global Perspectives
Policy Analysis
Policymaking

Careers with Public Policy

Graduates of the Public Policy programme are prepared for influential roles across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The Schar School provides dedicated career development advisors to help students transition into high-level positions in government agencies and global consulting firms. Graduates have successfully secured employment with a variety of prestigious organisations, including:

U.S. Department of State
World Bank
Booz Allen Hamilton
USAID
Northrop Grumman
Central Intelligence Agency
PricewaterhouseCoopers
U.S. House of Representatives
Inter-American Development Bank
Accenture

The programme's emphasis on technical proficiency and global perspectives ensures that alumni are well-positioned for careers as policy analysts, consultants, and government officials. Whether working in NGOs or international corporations, graduates apply their training to solve critical issues such as human trafficking, environmental hazards, and global hunger.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Theory and Practice in Public Policy

Culture, Organization, and Technology

Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy

Managerial Economics and Policy Analysis

U.S. Financial Policy Processes and Procedures

Advanced Data Analysis for Policy and Government

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

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IELTS

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Credits

36 SCH

36-39

Delivered

Blended, Online

Campus Location

Fairfax, United States
Arlington, United States

Disciplines

Public Policy View 404 other Masters in Public Policy in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

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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 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.

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 Policy.

Available Scholarships

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

On this page

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

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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