Frequently Asked Questions
Public
Administration Major
This page is an additional tool in helping you with class choices and other questions. You should familiarize yourself with the University Catalog for your Catalog Year. The Catalog explains university, college level as well as major requirements. It also states all relevant university policies. For current and recent Catalogs see: http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/
Many questions & answers below pertain to all students who entered Mason University Fall 1998 or later. Some questions & answers on general education and major requirements pertain only to students who entered Mason fall 2001 or to spring 2007; others apply only to students under Fall 2007 or later Catalogs. In
the event that this page contains an error, you are nonetheless responsible for
meeting all requirements and following all policies as stated in the University
Catalog.
General Questions
Who is my adviser and how do I meet with my adviser?
Can I change my adviser? If so, how?
What credits do I receive from AP, CLEP, IB, etc. towards my George Mason degree?
What should I do when not all of my transfer credits show up on my transcript?
How many credits can I take in a fall or spring semester?
How many credits can I take in the summer?
How do I receive Overload Permission?
Can I take summer classes elsewhere?
What should I do if I want to study abroad?
General Education
Where do I find out more about which classes apply to general education requirements?
Can courses apply to the major and general education requirements at the same time?
Can a C- or D apply to general education requirements?
Which ENGL 302 should I take as a Public Administration major?
What courses count for Quantitative Reasoning?
What courses count for the Fine Arts requirement?
What courses count as Literature?
What courses count for the Natural Science requirement?
What courses meet the Western civilization requirement?
What courses meet the U.S. history requirement?
Public Administration Major
What grade is required in courses in the major?
What if I got a C- or D in a class, which I wanted to use for the major?
Do I have to take GOVT 101, 103, 132 or 133, 204 in any particular order?
How can I complete my GOVT 304 requirement now that GOVT 304 is no longer offered?
When should I take
GOVT 300?
CanI take ADJ 300 for the GOVT 300 requirement?
When should I take GOVT 351, 355 and 356?
How many times can I take GOVT 329?
How many times can I take GOVT 444?
How do I receive GOVT 480 internship credit?
Can I count a GOVT 480 internship for the major?
What is GOVT 490 and when should I take it?
I hope to complete the honors program in the major in my senior year ? should I take GOVT 490?
What is GOVT 496, and how does it apply to the major?
How can I sign up for a GOVT 496?
How is Option A for Catalog Year 2005 and later different from previous Option A requirements?
Minors
What are the minors I could consider on top of my major?
Can I minor in something that overlaps with the Public Administration major?
Am
I able to graduate within four years if I add a minor?
General Questions
Who is my adviser and how do I meet with my adviser?
Adviser assignments are posted on the bulletin board outside of Robinson A201. Check the list for your name and adviser. Then go inside Robinson A201, and check on the inside of the door for office hours, email and phone number of your adviser.
Back to Top
Can I change my adviser? If so, how?
Yes. Please see a department staff member in Robinson A201 to change your adviser.
Back to Top
What credits do I receive from AP, CLEP, IB, etc. towards my George Mason degree?
Please check the Academic Credit by Exam page for more information. Please keep in mind that you need to have official scores submitted directly to George Mason University .
What should I do when not all of my transfer credits show up on my transcript?
Check with the Admissions Office. They can help you transfer in applicable credits. Also, see the following link to determine whether courses were transferable: http://admissions.gmu.edu/transfer/TransferCreditEvaluation.asp
Please keep in mind that you need to have official transcripts submitted directly to George Mason University.
How many credits can I take in a fall or spring semester?
Most students should take no more than five courses in any given semester (i.e. 15 or 16 credits), because the workload for six classes is very demanding. However, you can register for up to 18 credits during a fall or spring semester.
Here is what the Catalog says on the appropriate academic load:
The minimum full-time load for undergraduate students is 12 credits per semester.
Although many students must work to meet living expenses, employment must not
take priority over academic responsibilities. Students employed more than 20
hours a week are strongly urged not to attempt a full-time academic load. Students
employed more than 40 hours a week should attempt no more than 6 credits per
semester. Students who fail to observe these guidelines may expect no special
consideration for academic problems arising from the pressures of employment.
Although 12 credits per semester represent a minimum full-time undergraduate
load, students planning to graduate in four years need to carry an average of
at least 15 credits per semester.
If you want to sign up for more than 18 credits, then you should request Overload Permission from the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office. See How do I receive Overload Permission? for further information and appropriate forms.
Back to topHow many credits can I take in the summer?
The University strongly recommends a maximum of 14 credits with no more than 7 credits in any one session or no more than 10 credits in overlapping summer sessions. If your cumulative GPA is below 2.0, then you are limited to 13 credits. If you are in good standing, you may enroll for up to 18 credits though this should only be attempted if you have done very well with 12-14 credits in previous summers.
Back to Top
How do I receive Overload Permission?
You should always speak to a faculty adviser before you attempt to take more than the regularly permitted credit load, as taking too many classes may negatively affect your cumulative GPA.
The Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office reviews and decides
requests to take more than the regularly permitted credit load. Please visit their
policies page, to review the criteria that guide such overload decisions:
http://www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/policies.htm
If you want to request overload permission for a fall or spring semester, then download and submit the following form: http://www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/Forms/fallspringoverload.pdf
If you want to request overload permission during the summer, then download and submit the following form: http://www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/Forms/summeroverload.pdf
Back to Top
Can I take summer classes elsewhere?
"Students enrolled at George Mason University are expected to complete their coursework in residence. Exceptions to this policy are rare and are considered only under extraordinary circumstances and on a case-by-case basis."
Taking classes at another college or university during the summer requires PRIOR permission from the CAS Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office.
To see what the criteria are, please consult the Courses (Study) Elsewhere page.
If you believe that you meet the stated criteria, then download the Course Elsewhere Form.
If you are planning to attend a VCCS college, then take the form directly to your major adviser. You can use the VCCS Table of Transferable Courses to fill out the form.
For other colleges, you should run a Transfer Credit Search to see whether the course has previously been approved; if it has, then your adviser can sign the form. If the course you are planning to take has not yet been evaluated, then print out the course description from the college you plan to attend during the summer. Take the print-out as well as the form to the department at George Mason, which offers the course you plan to transfer in. After they have signed off on transfer equivalencies, get a signature from your major adviser.
Take the signed form to CAS Undergraduate Academic Affairs in Enterprise 316.
Back to Top
What should I do if I want to study abroad?
It may be difficult to find classes for your Public Administration major in study abroad programs. Few study abroad programs offer public administration or policy courses. Mostly, study abroad courses would come in as electives or you could use study abroad to complete Option B (Foreign Language), if you are interested in pursuing this option. It thus takes careful planning to combine study abroad with your major.
Check with the Center for Global Education about the many study abroad opportunities they offer, whether for a semester, winter session or during the summer. You can find out more about their offerings here: http://globaled.gmu.edu/
The Center also has more information on non-Mason study abroad programs, which may be of interest to you.
You should also meet with your faculty adviser, who can help you determine whether you can go abroad and still complete your degree in a timely manner. In preparation for this meeting, you should gather as much information as possible on the courses offered in the study abroad program. Also, you should run a Patriotweb Degree Evaluation (Detailed Requirements) so that you and your adviser have a clear sense of what requirements have not been meet.
Back to Top
Please click on the following link to the Registrar's Office website for detailed instructions, deadlines, and the online graduation application: http://registrar.gmu.edu/gif/
Back to Top
General Education
Where do I find out more about which classes apply to general education requirements?
If you started at George Mason fall 2001 or later, then you should run a Patriotweb degree evaluation. Be sure to select Detailed Requirements when you do so. This will tell you which requirements have been met and which ones have not been met. In many cases the degree evaluation lists the classes you should take. Please see How to access your degree evaluation for more information.
If you started at Mason before fall 2001, then you will not be able to pull up a degree evaluation. Instead, print our your Patriotweb transcript and a copy of the PA worksheet for before fall 2001 (click here to download)
Back to Top
Can courses apply to the major and general education requirements at the same time?
Yes. Some courses may fulfill both a major and a general education requirement simultaneously, but the credit counts only once toward the total credits.
Here is a list of core courses in the major and how they apply to general education requirements:
- Information Technology requirement: GOVT 300
- Social Science Requirement: GOVT 101 or 103
- Global Understanding requirement: GOVT 132 or 133
Back to Top
Are there other courses in the general education area, which fulfill two requirements simultaneously?
No, not for the Public Administration major.
Back to Top
Can a C- or D apply to general education requirements?
ENGL 101 and ENGL 302 require a grade of C or higher. All other general education requirements can be passed with a D or higher. Though keep in mind that your cumulative GPA should be 2.0 or higher.
Back to Top
Which ENGL 302 should I take as a Public Administration major?
While any ENGL 302 sections complete this general education requirement, we strongly recommend that you take a Social Science section, because they are designed to help you become better writers in your major. You can spot a Social Science section of ENGL 302 by the letter S in front of the section number. (If all Social Science sections are full, then you may consider a Business or Humanities Section, which are marked by B or H in front of the section number.)
Back to Top
Take it after you have completed ENGL 101 (or 100), one Literature course, and 45 credits. It is useful to take it before you take the majority of your upper level GOVT courses, because ENGL 302 will help you write papers in your major.
Back to Top
What courses count for Quantitative Reasoning?
Two courses are required for the B.S. in Public Administration. One of the Quantitative Reasoning courses applies to the university general education requirement. This course can be passed with a D or better. The second Quantitative Reasoning course is a major requirement. You need to pass this course with a C or better.
For a complete listing of courses that are approved for Quantitative Reasoning, please click here. Most of these courses require prior placement test, which is explained in the link for course options.
Back to Top
What courses count for the Fine Arts requirement?
Only course that are on the list of approved Fine Arts courses (click here) apply to this requirement. Please do not sign up for a course that is not on the Fine Arts list.
Back to Top
What courses count as Literature?
Only courses that are approved for Literature credit can be applied to the Literature requirement. ENGL 201, 202, 203, and 204 are among the course choices for Literature. Transfer students may use ENGL 2--- for the Literature requirement. For a complete listing of course choices, including upper level options, please click here.
Back to Top
What courses count for the Natural Science requirement?
Students who entered George Mason before fall 2007 need two lab science courses in the same lab science. Please click here for a listing of the courses that complete part I and part II of the lab sequence in the same lab science.
Students under the Fall 2007 or later Catalog may combined two different sciences to complete the 8-credit lab science requirement. Please click here to review the list of approved science courses.
What courses meet the Western civilization requirement?
HIST 100 is listed for students, who entered George Mason as freshmen. Students under Fall 2006 or later Catalog may also use HIST 125 for this requirement.
If you are a transfer student, please click here and select the appropriate Catalog Term, where you can find a list of classes that are approved for Western Civilization.
Back to Top
What courses meet the U.S. history requirement?
Students with Catalog Term Fall 2006 or later do not need a U.S. History.
U.S. History is a requirement for all students with Catalog Terms Fall 2001 through Summer 2006. Students who entered George Mason as freshmen must take HIST 120 to complete the U.S. History requirement. Transfer students may take alternative courses (click here for list), which have been approved for U.S. History.
Students who entered George Mason before fall 2006 may change their Catalog to Fall 2006 if they believe that they can benefit from doing so. For more information, and to determine whether changing the Catalog is a benefit or a detriment, please download and review the PDF file for Public Administration majors on U.S. History.
Public Administration Major
What grade is required in courses in the major?
You must have a grade of C or higher for all your classes in
the major. This includes GOVT classes as well as the major supporting
requirements (e.g. ACCT, ECON) and the Option A or B courses.
Please keep in mind that one of the two Analytical Reasoning
(Math or Statistics) courses completes a major requirement, which means that
one of the two requires a grade of C or better.
Back to Top
What if I got a C- or D in a class, which I wanted to use for the major?
All classes applied to the major must be passed with a grade of C or better. If you received a C- or D in GOVT 101, 103, 132 or 133, 300, 351, 355, 356, ECON 103, ECON 104 then you have to retake it. Any other classes with a C- or D can be applied outside of the major (i.e. towards the credit total), if you prefer not to retake them and instead prefer to take another course for the same requirement.
Back to Top
Do I have to take GOVT 101, 103, 132 or 133, 204 in any particular order?
GOVT 101, 103, 132 or 133 are not sequential. So you can take them in any order. Please be sure to complete required 100- and 200-level GOVT courses before taking upper level GOVT courses.
Back to Top
How can I complete my GOVT 304 requirement now that GOVT 304 is no longer offered?
We have deleted GOVT 304 from the PIA course offerings effective Fall 2007. However, students under Catalogs prior to Fall 2007 still are required to meet the GOVT 304 requirement in the Public Administration major. These students should take the newly created GOVT 304 to complete the GOVT 304 requirement. GOVT 304 has the advantage of completing the American State & Local requirement with upper level credit.
Students may not simultaneously receive credit for GOVT 304, 304 or L304.
Back to Top
You should have completed all your lower-level GOVT courses before you take GOVT 300. Also, you need to have at least 60 overall credits before taking this class.
Back to Top
Can I take ADJ 300 for the GOVT 300 requirement?
While the PIA department has cross-listed GOVT 300 with ADJ 300 in the past, we will NOT be cross-listing any GOVT 300 with ADJ 300 starting in Fall 2007. Any Fall 2007 or later ADJ 300 course will therefore NOT apply to the GOVT 300 major requirement. Please note that we will NOT be making any exceptions on this, even if this means you have to delay graduation.
Back to Top
When should I take GOVT 351, 355 and 356?
Take these classes after you have completed your lower level
GOVT classes. GOVT 351, 355 and 355 are core classes in your major, and should
be taken as soon as possible within your course of studies. Please do not wait
with these classes until your senior year, because there are no alternatives
choices for these classes. We cannot waive degree requirements because of
scheduling problems.
Generally, GOVT 351 is offered fall, spring and summer. GOVT
355 tends to be offered in the fall, GOVT 356 in the spring. Though there are
variations to these schedules, depending on instructor availability.
Back to Top
Are there major requirements, which I may reserve for the senior year?
First, it is best to try to finish most requirements before
the senior year, or at least finish them before your last semester. This way,
you can take electives during your last semester, which are easier to schedule.
If that is not an option, then it is best to reserve for the
senior year more open-ended requirements, for which there are several course
offerings each semester. Examples of such requirements are:
* One course from GOVT 320s/ 420s
* One course from GOVT outside of GOVT 350s/ 450s
Specific circumstances may vary. Please consult your adviser
to check what classes to take at what point.
Back to Top
How many times can I take GOVT 329?
The general rule is that GOVT 329 can be taken up to three times, as long as each course has a different title and topic. Do not sign up for more than three GOVT 329 courses, because additional GOVT 329s will not count towards the 120 credits.
Public Administration majors may use up to two different GOVT 329 courses as part of their major requirements: one for a course in the 320s/ 420s, the second for a course outside the 350s/ 450s.
Back to Top
How many times can I take GOVT 444?
The general rule is that GOVT 444 can be taken up to three times, as long as each course has a different title and topic. Do not sign up for more than three GOVT 444 courses, because additional GOVT 444s will not count towards the 120 credits.
Public Administration majors (2001 or later) can only apply 3 credits of GOVT 444 to major requirements, namely for the requirement of 3 credits outside of GOVT 350s/ 450s. Additional GOVT 444 credits would be used as upper-level electives outside of the major.
Back to Top
How do I receive GOVT 480 internship credit?
See the PIA Internship page: http://chss.gmu.edu/pia/internships/index.php
Back to Top
Can I count a GOVT 480 internship for the major?
Yes. Up to three credits of internship (GOVT 480) can be used for the major. GOVT 480 can be applied for the requirement of 3 credits outside of GOVT 350s/ 450s.
If you complete a 6-credit GOVT 480, then 3 credits will be applied to the major, and three to the upper level electives.
For more information, see: http://chss.gmu.edu/pia/internships/index.php
Back to Top
What is GOVT 490 and when should I take it?
GOVT 490 is the synthesis course. It is required for all
students who entered Mason fall 2001 or later. It is an interdisciplinary seminar,
which combines approaches from the general education area with work in the
major. It meets both the university synthesis requirement and is a major requirement.
As a Public Administration major, you can choose from any of
the synthesis course topics.
Take GOVT 490 when you are close to finishing all your courses
in the major. This is usually second semester junior year or during the senior year.
Keep in mind that there may not be any GOVT 490s in the summer, or that your choices
are extremely limited during the summer.
Back to Top
I hope to complete the honors program in the major in my senior year ? should I take GOVT 490?
No. If you are admitted to the honors program in the major, then the Honors Seminar (GOVT 491) completes your synthesis requirement.
Back to Top
What is GOVT 496, and how does it apply to the major?
GOVT 496 is an opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member on a specific topic. You research this topic in-depth and write a research paper. You can apply up to 3 credits of GOVT 496 to the major. This would apply to the 3 credits outside of GOVT 350s/ 360s. Permission and senior status (90 credits) are required.
Back to Top
How can I sign up for a GOVT 496?
Approach a PIA faculty member, whose research is in the area you want to work on. Ask this professor whether she or he would be interested in working with you on the specific topic you have in mind. It helps if you have already taken a class with this faculty member, so they know who you are.
Fill out the GOVT 496 Contract Form (download here) with the PIA faculty member.
Turn in the signed form to the department in Robinson A201 BEFORE the ADD deadline. Someone will review the GOVT 496 Contract Form, and then fill out a different form, which you need to submit to the Registrar's Office BEFORE the ADD deadline.
Back to Top
A specific list of courses has been approved for Option A,
Information Technology, respectively Information Technology and Reasoning.
Please be sure to select courses from the approved list that applies to your
catalog year.
If you started at Mason fall 2001 or later, then run a
Patriotweb Degree Evaluation. Please be sure to select the Detailed
Requirements view! This will offer a detailed list of available choices for
your catalog year.
If you started at Mason before fall 2001, then check the PA
worksheet for a listing of approved courses: http://chss.gmu.edu/pia/resources/pdfs/puad_progress00.pdf
Back to Top
How is Option A for Catalog Year 2005 and later different from previous Option A requirements?
Students with Catalog Year Fall 2005 and later only need 9
credits of Option A courses, as opposed to 12 credits before fall 2005.
However, a more limited set of course choices are approved for fall 2005 or
later Option A.
Students who entered Mason before fall 2005 may change their
Catalog Year to fall 2005. Below is a guide to who benefits and who is hurt by changing
their Catalog Year:
* If you entered Mason BEFORE fall 2001, then DO NOT CHANGE your Catalog Year to fall 2005. Doing so would impose additional general education requirements, i.e. would delay your graduation date.
* Those students who entered Mason fall 2001 or later should run a Patriotweb Degree Evaluation. Please be sure to consult the Detailed Requirements view! Then consider the following:
* If you entered Mason fall 2001 or later and you applied an ACCT course, NCLC 249 or any PHIL course to Option A, then changing the Catalog Year will not be advantageous to you.
* If you entered Mason fall 2001 or later and you DID NOT apply an ACCT course, NCLC 249 or any PHIL course to Option A, then changing the Catalog Year to fall 2005 will save you 3 credits. However, please be sure to double-check with your adviser before changing your Catalog Year at the Registrars Office.
Back to Top
Option B, Foreign Language, can be completed in a variety of ways. It may take anywhere from 0 to 12 credits to complete this requirement, depending on your background in a foreign language. This is a proficiency requirement, i.e. we do not require a specific amount of credits.
Path 1: Take classes until you have completed the intermediate level (202 or 209 or 210) in one language or by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English. For more information see: http://cas.gmu.edu/cas/academics/reqs/index.php#language
Path 2: If you are proficient in a language (speaking, reading, writing), which is not taught at Mason, then a waiver might be an option. Here is more information on how to qualify for a waiver:
http://mcl.gmu.edu/resources/placement_testing.php
Please be sure that you pursue a language or waiver soon after starting at Mason, because it may take up to two years to complete Option B if you have to start from the beginning.
Back to Top
Minors
What are the minors I could consider on top of my major?
This depends on your interests, both academically and professionally. For an overview of available minors, minor requirements and whom to contact about a minor, please click here.
Back to Top
Can I minor in something that overlaps with the Public Administration major?
Yes. In fact, you can double-count courses between the major and a minor. Though at least 8 credits have to be unique for the minor, i.e. must not be double-counted. For a list of the minors in the department, approved courses, and list of minor coordinators, see:
http://www.gmu.edu/departments/pia/minor/minor.htm
Back to Top
Am I able to graduate within four years if I add a minor?
It depends. If you switched to your major late, or took too many electives, then a minor might mean some extra classes. Work with the minor coordinator and your faculty adviser to determine whether you can complete a minor without going over the 120 credits.
As a rule of thumb, most transfer students should not pursue a minor, because this will delay your graduation.
Back to Top
Last update: July 13, 2007 by Dr. Mario Feit
