Master’s in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics
Master's in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics
Develop the analytical thinking and critical skills needed to effectively and efficiently supply and operate transportation facilities and services with the transportation policy, operations, and logistics master's program.
Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reports that another 2.5 billion people will live in urban areas around the globe by 2050. With this rapid growth, the pressures to design and implement policies and practices to ensure safe and cost-effective practices in the fields of transportation system management, operations, and logistics will also increase, creating a high demand for policy and planning professionals.
Unlike a traditional urban planning degree, the Schar School’s Master's in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics explores the intersections of planning, policy, and practice within the fields of logistics, operations management, and transportation policy. As a student in the program, you will master the knowledge and skills needed to effectively and efficiently supply and operate transportation facilities and services.
Effective transportation policy strengthens communities and global competitiveness. In the spirit of advancing the public good, the Schar School's transportation policy master's degree program will equip you to think critically and analytically about the challenges and opportunities in the transportation field and shape our world's communities.
CURRICULUM AND COURSE SCHEDULE
The Master of Arts in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics program requires 11 courses (34 total credits), including 8 core courses and 3 elective courses. Transportation policy courses are held in the evenings on Mason’s Arlington, Virginia campus, and students may take the program on a part-time or full-time basis. From Transportation Planning and Policy, Transportation Economics, and Theory and Practice of Public Policy to Culture, Organization, and Technology, the Master's in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics program coursework will prepare you for influential roles in urban planning, regional planning, operations, and logistics fields.
For detailed curriculum and course schedule information, click here.
Master's Open House
Interested in learning more about the program? We invite you to join us for our Master's Open House on Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30pm (Arlington Campus).
REGISTERCAREERS IN TRANSPORTATION POLICY, OPERATIONS, AND LOGISTICS
With George Mason University's prime location in the Washington, D.C. area, Schar School students gain access to leading scholars and practitioners who bring real-world experience to the classroom, providing you with the mentorship and skillsets needed to advance in your career.
The Schar School as a whole has 80+ faculty members, as well as hundreds of adjunct faculty, allowing students to gain access to a variety of perspectives and subjects through elective courses. Notable faculty members in the transportation policy program include program director Laurie Schintler, Terry Clower, Frank Shafroth, Jonathan Gifford, Sheldon Edner, and more.
FACULTY DIRECTORY
In addition to university-wide resources, the Schar School has a dedicated team of student services and career development advisors to assist you in your academic and professional plans. The Master's in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics program prepares students for a range of industries and roles in the public and private sectors. In a recent graduating class career outcomes survey, the following were the top employers of transportation program graduates:
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- City of Alexandria
- Federal Aviation Administration
- IBM
- Loudoun County Government
- Montana DOT
- Prince William County Government
- SAIC
- Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. General Services Administration
- Virginia DOT
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
Sample Course: Transportation in the City of the Future
The concept of smart cities has attracted considerable attention in recent years. This sample class will highlight key planning, policy issues, and challenges for transportation in a smart city, along with the opportunities smart transportation solutions bring for sustainable, inclusive, and livable communities.
Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. (Arlington Campus)
SIGN UPTRANSPORTATION POLICY, OPERATIONS, AND LOGISTICS PROGRAM NEWS
Just one year after earning his master’s degree from George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, Chris Stockwell, MA Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics ’17, is flying high as senior manager of partnerships at Bird—the shared scooter company that’s been making waves in headlines across the nation.
READ MORE
A new study by students in the Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics master’s program identifies gaps in Arlington County’s passenger and freight delivery systems and makes recommendations designed to improve the growing Northern Virginia county’s transportation systems.
READ MORE
As the principal for MetroBike, LLC, Paul DeMaio is a successful businessman, a global authority on bike-sharing programs, an environmental activist, avid cyclist, health advocate, blogger, and – as Capital Bikeshare’s Arlington program manager – he may even be the person responsible for how you got to work today.
READ MORE
Students in the Master's in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics program near their final semester participate in a practicum, an in-depth field study of ongoing transportation policy, operations and logistics situations.
READ MOREMaster's Class Visits
Wondering what it’s like to take a graduate class at the Schar School? We invite you to sit in on a course taught by our Schar School faculty. Space is limited, so sign up soon!
SIGN UPNext Steps
- Request Information
- Visit Campus
- Browse our graduate program viewbook
- Learn more about how to apply
Application Information
Application Information
Ready to apply?
The Master of Arts in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics program accepts students for both the fall and spring semesters. Browse our application guide to learn more about application requirements and deadlines.
HOW TO APPLY