Guide to Graduate Education in Science, Engineering and Public Policy
Guide to Graduate Education in Science, Engineering and Public Policy
http://www.aaas.org//spp/sepp/sepgmu.shtml
George Mason University
School of Public Policy
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George Mason University
Program Link: |
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Reception (Arlington Campus): 703-993-8200
Christopher T. Hill |
Background
Science and technology policy is one of five areas of concentration in the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. At present, there are roughly 20 students working on Ph.D.'s in the science and technology policy area within the school. The predominant focus of research has been on the broad area of technology policy and within that on the innovation of technology. The Ph.D. program, however, encourages academic exploration without prescribing preset areas of research.
All students with an interest in science and technology policy take a two semester seminar sequence. The first semester is a readings seminar that provides a common literature and research foundation for all the students interested in the science and technology policy concentration. The second semester is a research seminar where the objective is to produce a publishable paper. Following this two semester sequence students can chose from a range of specialized seminars depending on their research interests. The program is structured so that the student can design her or his own program of research specialization. Should they so desire students have a range of opportunities to develop dissertations from work carried out with faculty who are involved with funded research.
Graduate Degrees Offered
Ph. D. in Public Policy
Masters with Certificate in:
Global Medical Policy
Regional Economic Development & Technology Policy
Science & Technology Policy
Science, Technology & the Global Economy
Admissions Requirements
The School of Public Policy at George Mason University welcomes applications for the doctoral program in public policy from qualified individuals from Virginia, the United States and the world. Applications are accepted for admission in both the fall and spring semesters, for both full-time and part-time study. Application decisions are made on a rolling basis, once all application materials are received.
The program seeks students with exceptional potential for accumulating, sorting, analyzing, and communicating information and findings effectively. Public policy is inherently complex and value laden. In the end, high-quality policy analysis requires thoughtful and judicious management of complex and incommensurate information, both quantitative and qualitative. Thus, the program seeks students who can manage and integrate both kinds of information and produce convincing, well-organized written syntheses.
The ideal Ph.D. program applicant has demonstrated capabilities in research and writing, basic mathematical skills roughly equal to the first semester of calculus and a competence in statistics, some background in economics, and a theoretical and working knowledge of public policy processes. Applicants with strong records who are deficient in one or more of these areas may be admitted to the program and will receive assistance in addressing any deficiencies.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D.- Concentration in Technology, Science, and Innovation
The degree requires a minimum of 82 credit hours of course work and supervised research beyond the bachelor’s degree. A minimum of 52 hours of course work must be taken in degree status with the School of Public Policy, excluding any required prerequisites.
All certificates require the completion of five courses. Students already pursuing a master’s degree in the School of Public Policy may take an additional three courses and also receive a certificate. Each certificate requires one core course and four additional courses which can be chosen from an approved list. Certificates identified with an asterisk require that one of the four elective courses has an international focus. (Courses that are considered international in nature are followed by "Int’l.")
Student Information
Students in the School of Public Policy have academic backgrounds that range from the natural sciences and engineering through the social sciences and business. The ages of the students range from the '20s into the 50s. A number of our students have entered the Ph.D. program after retirement from the military. The student population includes people from a wide range of countries.
Faculty Information
Faculty associated with the concentration include Zoltan Acs, Philip Auerswald, David Hart, Christopher Hill, Todd LaPorte, Wayne Perry, Stephen Ruth, and Tojo Thatchenkery.
Positions for Graduates
People who have received Ph.D.'s from the School of Public Policy now have positions that range from professors in major research universities to professors in four-year liberal arts colleges. Our graduates hold positions in government agencies at the federal, state, and local level and in a wide range of businesses and nonprofit organizations. Several of our graduates hold high-level positions in the governments of other countries.
Financial Information
For the 2001-2002 academic year, tuition is $191.00 per credit hour for in-state students and $529.00 for out-of-state students. First-year full-time students typically take 9 to 12 hours per semester. Various fellowships and assistantships are available. These range in support from $10,000 to $15,000, including tuition waivers. Research or teaching assistantships are given only to full-time students taking a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester and are allocated on a project basis.
