Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics
George Mason, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* International student deadline is 1st of June of every year | Domestic student deadline is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
About: The Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics at George Mason University's Schar School teaches political science, foreign policy, governance, and international affairs. You'll complete 43 credits with core courses, field studies, and a senior seminar, choose a concentration, and gain faculty mentoring plus internships near Washington, D.C.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter public service, diplomacy, law, campaigns, policy analysis, advocacy, and research. You'll join 16,000 Schar School alumni and often intern with Capitol Hill, U.S. government departments, intelligence agencies, law firms, nonprofits, consulting firms, and regulatory bodies, building networks and skills for roles in government, nonprofit, private sector.
The Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics degree program at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government is ideal for students who are interested in a career path in political science, international relations, public service, law, campaigns, or research. As a student in the program, you will learn to critically examine political issues, prominent actors, and processes in government, foreign policy, and international affairs. As governments and politics around the world respond to the rapid advancement of technology, this degree program equips students to face new challenges boldly and effectively.
Government and International Politics major degree requirements: 43 credits, including five core courses, eight field study courses, and a senior seminar.
As a student in the Government and International Politics major, you will have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge through one of the following specific concentrations or pursue a unique cross-disciplinary approach:
- Concentration in American Institutions and Processes (AMIP)
- Concentration in Comparative Politics (CPOL)
- Concentration in International Political Economy (IPE)
- Concentration in International Relations (INTR)
- Concentration in Law, Philosophy, and Governance (LPGV)
- Concentration in Political Analysis (PA)
- Concentration in Political Behavior and Identity Politics (PBIP)
- Concentration in Public Policy and Administration (PPA)
- Individualized Concentration (IND)
With George Mason University's prime location in the Washington, D.C. area, Schar School students gain access to world-class scholars and practitioners in the fields of political science and international relations. They have extensive experience providing counsel, advice, and instruction to policymakers in Washington, D.C., and beyond. As a student in their classes, you can gain insight into the most pressing issues and innovative approaches to political research and analysis, and get connections to “boots on the ground” policymakers.
First and foremost, however, the Schar School faculty members are committed to quality teaching. As a result, you will get to know your professors here and form mentoring relationships with them. That will help you do better in class, make wise decisions about internships and careers, and glean wisdom to be successful in life.
As a Government and International Politics graduate, you will also have access to 16,000 fellow Schar School alumni who have the careers you want, who work as leaders for the organizations you want to work for, and with whom you can network and develop relationships. With Washington, D.C. located next door, Mason students regularly intern and extern during the academic semesters, gaining real-world experience to build a professional network and valuable skills. Schar School undergraduate students land internships in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, including:
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Capitol Hill
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Foreign Service Institute
- Middle East Institute
- National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism
- Law firms
- Nonprofit organizations
- Lobbying groups
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
Students pursuing a BA in Government and International Politics and wishing to narrow their focus may choose to concentrate in one of eight government fields or complete a higher credit concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
BA with or without Government Concentration
Core Courses
- GOVT 101 Democratic Theory and Practice (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 132 Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 133 Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 300 Research Methods and Analysis (Mason Core) 4
Senior Seminar
Select one seminar from the following: 3
- GOVT 490 Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core)
- GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) 1
Total Credits 19
Government Field Study
Select any eight advanced government field courses, with or without a government concentration 24
Total Credits 24
Students may complete a government concentration (four courses) in one field, then complete any four more advanced government field courses to satisfy this requirement. Students who do not pursue a government concentration may choose 24 credits from the advanced government field courses listed below (with restriction) for a broader learning experience.
Up to three credits of GOVT 399 Research Practicum and GOVT 480 Internship may be used to fulfill the field course requirement with prior advisor approval. Up to six credits of GOVT 496 Directed Readings and Research may be used to fulfill this requirement with prior advisor approval. GOVT 490 Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core) or GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Advanced government field courses include courses numbered GOVT 301 - GOVT 499
Students may partially satisfy the field study requirement by completing four courses (minimum 12 credits) in any one approved concentration.
Concentration in American Institutions and Processes (AMIP)
- GOVT 301 Public Law and the Judicial Process 3
- GOVT 302 American Political Development 3
- GOVT 304 American State and Local Government 3
- GOVT 305 Contemporary American Federalism 3
- GOVT 307 Legislative Behavior 3
- GOVT 308 The American Presidency 3
- GOVT 309 Government and Politics of Metropolitan Areas 3
- GOVT 311 Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior 3
- GOVT 319 Issues in Government and Politics 1-3
- GOVT 344 American Foreign Policy 3
- GOVT 357 Urban Planning 3
- GOVT 364 Public Policy Making 3
- GOVT 365 State and Regional Public Policy 3
- GOVT 400 Issues in Political Analysis 1-3
- GOVT 409 Virginia Government and Politics 3
- GOVT 422 Constitutional Interpretation 3
- GOVT 423 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties 3
Create your own concentration consisting of four upper-level courses with Director's approval. A minimum of two courses in this concentration must be GOVT.
BA with Non-Government Concentration
Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Core Courses
- GOVT 101 Democratic Theory and Practice (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 132 Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 133 Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core) 3
- GOVT 300 Research Methods and Analysis (Mason Core) 4
Total Credits 16
Senior Seminar
Select one from the following: 3
- GOVT 490 Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core)
- GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) 1
Total Credits 3
Government Field Study
Students complete the following coursework:
American Politics
Select one course from the following: 3
- GOVT 301 - GOVT 319
- GOVT 401 - GOVT 419
Political Theory and Law
- GOVT 323 Classical Western Political Theory 3
International and Comparative Politics
Select one course from the following: 3
- GOVT 330 - GOVT 349
- GOVT 430 - GOVT 449
Public Policy and Administration
- GOVT 467 Current Issues in Economic Policy 3
- GOVT 469 Philosophy, Politics, and Economics 3
Additional Upper-Level GOVT Courses
- GOVT 422 Constitutional Interpretation 3
- Two additional upper division GOVT courses 6
Total Credits 24
Additional Concentration Courses
- GOVT 324 Modern Western Political Theory 3 or PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory
- GOVT 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory 3 or PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory
- PHIL 357 Philosophy of the Social Sciences 3 or PHIL 371 Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
- PHIL 358 Ethics and Economics 3 or PHIL 311 Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 429 Advanced Topics in Social and Political Philosophy 3
- ECON 103 Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) 3
- ECON 104 Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core) 3
- ECON 306 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
Select one course from the following: 3
- ECON 403 Austrian Economics
- ECON 410 Public Choice
- ECON 412 Game Theory and Economics of Institutions (Choose one of the following:)
- ECON 415 Law and Economics
Total Credits 27
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors. Students majoring in government and international politics may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GOVT 490 Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core) or GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) in their major programs.
Schar Requirements in Addition to Mason Core Below
- One course in Philosophy or Religion
- One additional course in Social and Behavioral Sciences
- One course in Non-Western Culture
- Proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate level
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Foundation Requirements
- Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
- Oral Communication 3
- Quantitative Reasoning 3
- Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
- Arts 3
- Global Understanding 3
- Literature 3
- Natural Science 7
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
- Western Civilization/World History 3
Integration Requirements
- Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
- Writing-Intensive 3
- Synthesis/Capstone 3
Total Credits 40
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