George Mason University, Schar School of Policy and Government

Holistic Approach Prepares Students for Specialized Careers in International Affairs

A successful academic journey is more than just ticking boxes. “We deploy a developmental advising model — we guide students on academic requirements and policies, but we also want to dive into students’ overarching goals and give them the resources to achieve them,” explains Jill Deering, senior assistant dean of student and academic affairs at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. The result is an individually tailored graduate experience that combines an interdisciplinary education, co-curricular programming, and opportunities for real-world applications.

Each master’s degree program at the Schar School offers a unique lens through which to study the complexities of international affairs. For example, the Master of Global Commerce and Policy looks at the field from a business and economics perspective, while the Master of Biodefense bridges the gaps between science, security, and policy. Courses are taught by a diverse faculty — including economists, social scientists, historians, and international relations theory experts — to help students understand the global landscape from multiple angles.

Co-curricular programming is extensive, with opportunities ranging from Schar School research center positions to a program with the Partnership for Public Service that places students in federal internships. The school’s 14 research centers engage students with experiences like speaking events and conferences, in addition to hosting student research fellows who conduct original research and help organize events that hone skills and strengthen problem-solving, such as war games and crisis simulations. These activities allow students to role-play as the various actors in a national security crisis.

This hands-on approach is mirrored by faculty mentorships and support that extend well beyond the classroom. “Today I met with a student to guide him on how to convert a research paper into a publishable analytic piece,” explains Ellen Laipson, director of the Master of International Security program. “One faculty member took five students on a research trip to Taiwan, and each was listed as a coauthor of the published monograph at the end of the project.”

Faculty also support students with internship and career opportunities through their network, and that is in addition to the Schar School’s robust in-house career services and professional development resources, which cover everything from salary negotiations to gaining security clearance. “We have all of the benefits of a large university, plus the tailored support of a close-knit graduate school,” says Deering.

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Featured Course: Ethics and the Use of Force

Explore ethical decisions and actions in war and the consequences of those actions in this graduate course taught by Assistant Professor of International Security and Law Meghan Garrity.

“There is no shortage of material regarding ethics and the use of force, and it’s important that we critically analyze historical events and ones unfolding today,” Garrity explains. “The ethical decision-making frameworks introduced, and the historical contexts analyzed in the course, allow students to develop their own approach to ethically responding to the international security issues most relevant to their work and interests.”

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George Mason University, Schar School of Policy and Government
https://schar.gmu.edu/contact-admissions
[email protected]
703-993-8099