Overview

The Public Administration programme at George Mason University provides students with the essential tools to address complex societal challenges through effective governance and policy analysis. This B.Sc. degree focuses on developing the practical skills required to lead change within government agencies, non-profit organisations, and the private sector. Students engage with a curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

Why Public Administration at George Mason University?

Studying at the Schar School of Policy and Government places students at the heart of political discourse near Washington, D.C. The faculty, often described as "pracademics," bring extensive field experience from high-level policy roles into the classroom. Students have access to dedicated advising centres, success coaches, and unique learning communities such as the Democracy Lab. Furthermore, the university offers an accelerated master's pathway, allowing ambitious individuals to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in just five years.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 39312 per year
National fee: USD 39312 per year
Local fee: USD 14316 per year

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

Syllabus

The curriculum requires the completion of 52 credits, including core coursework and a senior seminar. Students can choose to specialise in areas such as Economic Policy Analysis, Nonprofit Management, or International Political Economy. Modules may include:

Public Administration
Research Methods
Policy Analysis
Economics
Statistics
Advanced Composition
Senior Seminar

Careers with Public Administration

Graduates from this programme are highly sought after by prestigious employers in the public and private sectors. Many alumni secure roles within the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Marine Corps, and various local government offices. Career paths typically include:

Federal Government Official
Private Sector Consultant
Non-profit Programme Manager
Legislative Assistant
Policy Analyst
Local Government Administrator

The programme's strong emphasis on internships allows students to build professional networks at institutions like Capitol Hill, the Executive Office of the President, and the Partnership for Public Service.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Democratic Theory and Practice

Research Methods and Analysis

Administration in the Political System

Money, Markets and Economic Policy

Tools for Economic Policy Analysis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

Freshman Priority Application Deadline (for Spring Semester) October 1
Regular Decision Deadline(for Fall Semester) February 1

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Fairfax, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 198 other Bachelors in Public Administration in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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 online application and application fee. Mason accepts the Common Application and George Mason University’s Undergraduate Application for Admission.

Certified official, original transcripts from all secondary schools as well as official results from any leaving certificates or university entrance exams taken. A certified English translation must be submitted for any documents not already in English.

Official scores from SAT or ACT. International students have the option to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application or apply Score Optional.

Secondary School Report (PDF) and counselor recommendations. We suggest sending two (2) letters of recommendation, one from a high school counselor and one from a teacher.

An optional, but strongly encouraged Personal Statement or Essay of approximately 250 words explaining to the Office of Admissions why YOU want to attend university study.

Resume for any applicant with gaps in enrollment.

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

39312 USD / year

≈ 39312 USD / year
Out-of-State

39312 USD / year

≈ 39312 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14316 USD / year

≈ 14316 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

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor'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.

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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