Master’s FAQ

For those entering a degree or certificate program, New Student Orientation is held the week before classes begin. This mandatory program will provide you with useful information about academic requirements, program policies, and important resources. You will also have the opportunity to hear from Dean Rozell and meet faculty and current students. Orientation details are provided in your admissions materials.

Professional advisors in the Office of Student Services are available to assist students with an array of academic issues through an exploration of students’ academic, career, and personal goals. The Office of Student Services is located on the fifth floor of Van Metre Hall. Advisors will counsel students on issues related to course selection and registration, as well as academic policies and procedures. They will also help students track their progress toward degree completion. If you have any questions, please contact:

Jill V. Deering, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
jdeering@gmu.edu
703-993-8209

• Public Policy, MPP

Silva Pecini Morris, Director of Student Services
specini@gmu.edu
703-993-4157

• Biodefense, MS
• International Security, MA
• Public Administration, MPA
• Political Science, MA

Paul Nooney, Associate Director of Student Services
pnooney@gmu.edu
703-993-4975

• International Commerce and Policy, MA
• Organization Development and Knowledge Management, MS
• Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics, MA

A maximum of four courses completed while in non-degree status in the Schar School of Policy and Government can be transferred into a master’s program, as long as a grade of B or better has been earned. Students must submit a Non-degree Transfer Credit form to the academic advisor for their program. Requests should be filed during the first semester of enrollment as a degree-seeking student.

You will find a list of recommended courses for your specific program on the admitted student page. If you have any questions about your registration options, you should contact your advisor.

Students who are studying full-time should register for three courses (9 – 10 credits) for their first semester, and part-time students should register for two courses (6 – 7 credits). We recommend considering a number of factors when choosing a course load: The amount of work required for each course – syllabi are archived here. Commitments outside of class – it is recommended that students who will be employed full-time while taking classes take no more than two courses. Course availability – please note that many required courses are not offered over the summer. Students wishing to take a summer course should plan for an elective during the summer term.

Full-Time Students: The university considers 9 credits to be a full-time load at the graduate level. International (F-1 or J-1 visas) and military students (GI bill beneficiaries) are required to carry 9 or more credits each semester. Students wishing to take more than the recommended credit load, 12 hours for master’s students, should first meet with their academic advisor to discuss their course load.

Part-Time Students: Students taking fewer than 9 credit hours are classified as part-time. Part-time students are strongly encouraged to enroll in two courses per semester in order to progress through the program at a reasonable pace. Students who are working full-time while pursuing their degree programs should not register for more than two courses per semester.

Blackboard (mymason.gmu.edu) is a web-based system used by Schar School faculty to facilitate courses. In Blackboard, professors may:

• Post course syllabi, readings and assignments
• Facilitate class discussions through Discussion Boards
• Engage in video-conferencing through Blackboard Collaborate
• Host assessments and assign grades

 If your professor is using Blackboard, s/he will provide you with access to the class folder in Blackboard. Your Blackboard login is your Mason email username without the “gmu.edu.” The password is the same as your email password.

 Here are some helpful guides on how to use Blackboard:

• Quick Start for Blackboard
• Blackboard FAQs

 Should you encounter any issues with Blackboard, please inform your faculty and also reach out to the ITS Help Desk at support@gmu.edu.

The academic calendar is always available on the Office of the Registrar’s website. Students should consult the academic calendar each semester for important information regarding registration and add/drop deadlines.

Most syllabi are available on the Schar School website here. If the syllabus for one of your courses is not found on the web or in Blackboard, you can contact your professor to request a copy (see Faculty Directory for contact information). Professors will also distribute the final syllabus during the first class meeting. 

Students requiring a leave of absence from their program for a single semester must contact the appropriate academic advisor to request a leave of absence. Any student taking two or more consecutive semesters off must obtain permission to re-enroll to the Schar School of Policy and Government. In certain circumstances, the school may review the student’s academic standing prior to granting re-enrollment permission.

Students enrolled in the Schar School of Policy and Government must maintain good academic standing. Master’s students are encouraged to consult their Master’s Programs Student Guide for additional information. Students should pay particular attention to the following:

• Students may apply a maximum of 6 credits of “C” work toward graduation.
• Receiving a grade of “F” in a single course will result in termination from the program.
• Receiving a grade of “C” in 9 or more credit hours will result in termination from the program.
• Although a B- is an admissible grade for a course taken in degree status, a 3.0 average must be maintained and presented on the student’s application for graduation.

Yes - an independent study affords students an opportunity to complete a more detailed research project than is generally possible in a particular course. Research often involves areas and topics not currently covered by existing courses. Independent study expects a greater level of effort on the part of the student than standard course offerings. Any student wishing to pursue an independent study should contact their academic advisor for more information.

The Career Development Office provides the full range of internship and career advising and can assist students with career exploration, the job search process, interviewing skills, resume building, and other professional development skills. If you have any questions about career advising, please contact:

Duane Bradshaw, Director of Career Development
dbradsha@gmu.edu 
703-993-3188

Brian Bar, Assistant Director of Career Development
bbar@gmu.edu
703-993-8559