Northern Virginia Public Service Fellows Program

Master in Public Administration (MPA)

The Northern Virginia Fellows Program is a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals employed by local governments in Northern Virginia to strengthen their skills and further their careers. Each cohort of Fellows consists of a carefully screened group of public managers who are sponsored by their government employers. The Fellows curriculum builds on the George Mason University MPA core by adding a concentration in state and local government. One of the great strengths of the program is the opportunity to network and build relationships with peers across NOVA since all classes are taken with other mid-career local government managers from the region. Electives from the program have been designed and selected in conjunction with top executives from Northern Virginia local governments to maximize value for local managers.

George Mason University Application Requirements

  • A goals statement
  • A current resume
  • Transcripts (An unofficial transcript for all earned or currently in-progress undergraduate degrees, and, if applicable, an unofficial graduate transcript for any graduate coursework taken, is required during the application process. Official documents, showing all previously earned degrees, including undergraduate bachelor's degrees and higher, as well as any graduate coursework that you wish to be applied to your Mason degree program, shall be required if you are admitted.)

A Degree Designed for Tomorrow's Leaders
Interested in learning more about the Northern Virginia Public Service Fellows Program at the Schar School? Browse our program brochure and contact our Graduate Admissions Office with any questions.

Cohort Tuition Payment and Registration Contact
The Executive and Professional Education Office handles all of your tuition payments and course registrations. Your point of contact for that office is Sarah Harper swalz@gmu.edu or 703-993-2125.

SAMPLE SCHEDULES
Fall Admission Spring Admission

Fall I
PUAD 502: Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
PUAD 520: Organizational Theory and Management Behavior

Spring I
PUAD 502: Administration in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
PUAD 520: Organizational Theory and Management Behavior

Spring I
POGO 511Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government (statistics screening exam required)
PUAD 663State and Local Budgeting

Summer I
PUAD 540: Public Policy Process

Summer I
PUAD 540:
Public Policy Process

Fall I
POGO 511
: Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government (statistics screening exam required)
PUAD 663: State and Local Budgeting

Fall II
POGO 646: Policy and Program Evaluation
ELECTIVE

Spring II
POGO 646
: Policy and Program Evaluation
ELECTIVE

Spring II
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE

Summer II
PUAD 792: Capstone in Local Government Administration

Summer II
PUAD 792: Capstone in Local Government Administration

Fall II
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE

Fall III
PUAD 703: Third Party Governance
PUAD 700: Ethics in Public Administration

Spring III
PUAD 703: Third Party Governance
PUAD 700: Ethics in Public Administration

DECEMBER GRADUATION MAY GRADUATION

 

HOW TO ORDER BOOKS: To check the book orders, please visit the bookstore's textbook site by clicking here. Then follow these instructions:

  • Select the campus, Fairfax, at top.
  • Select the correct semester under the Term column.
  • Select department, PUAD.
  • Select course. This is the course's three digit number.
  • Select the section number. This is 601, 602, etc.
  • Scroll down and click on Find Materials, and the books for the class will appear.COHORT CLASS LOCATION: Fairfax Campus in Fairfax VA. Map of the Fairfax Campus

*These courses/programs are not approved for VA Education Benefits. For questions related to VA benefits for these courses/programs, please reach out to Katie Fox-Heim at veterans@gmu.edu for additional information before registering.