Upcoming Events

Schar School Master's and Certificate Virtual Open House 
Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Open to: Prospective Master's and Certificate Students
Contact: schar@gmu.edu
Register to attend the March 28 Schar School Master's and Certificate Virtual Open House

Prospective students are invited to attend a virtual open house to learn more about the Schar School of Policy and Government and our academic programs. During this online session, you will have the opportunity to hear from our Graduate Admissions Team about the Schar School and applying to graduate and certificate programs, as well as from program faculty and current graduate students about our graduate programs.

CSPS Spring Crisis Simulation
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall
Open to: Schar School Graduate Students
Questions: Ellen Laipson

Interviewing Skills Clinic
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Student Services Suite, Room 560
Open to: Schar School Students and Alumni
Contact: Duane Bradshaw
Register for the Interviewing Skills Clinic

“Tell me about a time…” “Give an example of…” These types of questions are commonly asked during a Behavioral style interview. This workshop will teach you how to prepare for the Behavioral Interview, how to organize your answers and which information to highlight. Each student will have the opportunity to practice answers and receive feedback.

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Fairfax Campus, Aquia Building, Room 336
Open to: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and Master's in Political Science students
Contact: schargss@gmu.edu
Register for the April 4 POGO 511 exam

POGO 511 is the first methods course in the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and the Master's in Political Science degree programs. Students are required to take POGO 511 during one of their first two semesters in the program.

Graduate Admitted Student Day
Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room and Auditorium
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Kristina Bonfiglio

RELI – PSLN
Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Mary Hynes

Salary Negotiation and Expectations Webinar
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Virtual 
Open to: Schar School Students and Alumni
Contact: Duane Bradshaw
Register for the Salary Negotiation and Expectations Webinar

What should you say when an employer asks you for salary requirements? What should you do if you don’t like the salary, but want the job? Come learn how to evaluate a job offer and gain tips for initiating and managing the negotiation process.

Schar School Graduate Student Panel
Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Open to: Prospective Graduate students
Contact: Duane Bradshaw
Register to attend the April 11 Schar School Graduate Student Panel

Prospective students are invited to attend a virtual panel discussion featuring current Schar School master's students. The online session will provide an opportunity to ask questions of Schar School students and learn more about what being a Schar School student is like.

Washington Area Development Economic Symposium (WADES)
Date: Friday, April 18, 2025
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room
Register to attend the April 18 Washington Area Development Economic Symposium (WADES)
Open to: Any research/policy communities and interested audience including students, faculty, researchers and policy makers
Questions: Anh Pham

The Washington Area Development Economics Symposium (WADES) is an annual conference in development economics featuring research by students and faculty at member institutions in the DC area.

7th Annual Mason Energy Forum
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room 
Register to attend the 7th Annual Mason Energy Forum
Open to: Any research/policy communities and interested audience including students, faculty, researchers and policy makers
Questions: Richard Kauzlarich

The 7th annual Mason Energy Forum will address the complex relationship between AI, data centers and the data economy, and the changed energy transition environment. It will be a day of panels from leading policy makers, academics, and private sector players on the energy promises and potential difficulties of AI, as well as local challenges for public resources and engagement. 
 

Pi Alpha Induction Ceremony
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall Auditorium and Plaza
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Silva Pecini Morris

RELI Webinar
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Mary Hynes

SPSA Spring Social
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Location: Mason Square Plaza
Open to: Schar School PhD students, faculty & staff only
Questions: John Washington

RELI Webinar
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Mary Hynes

RELI Webinar
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Mary Hynes

Annual P3 Forum 
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room
Questions: Jonathan Gifford

More info to come

POGO 511 Workshop & Exam
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Open to: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and Master's in Political Science students
Contact: schargss@gmu.edu
Register for the May 15 POGO 511 workshop and exam

If you're interested in having structured practice and instruction before taking the POGO 511 Placement Exam, we offer the POGO 511 Workshop. The workshop is free, and after completing it (see dates and times below), students will have a brief break before taking the placement exam.

George Mason University Commencement
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Fairfax Campus, Eagle Bank Arena
Open to: Schar School students and family/friends

Schar School Degree Celebration
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Fairfax Campus, Eagle Bank Arena
Open to: Schar School students and family/friends
Questions: Silva Percini Morris

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Open to: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and Master's in Political Science students
Contact: schargss@gmu.edu
Register for the May 15 POGO 511 exam

POGO 511 is the first methods course in the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and the Master's in Political Science degree programs. Students are required to take POGO 511 during one of their first two semesters in the program.

RELI – PSLN
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall Multipurpose Room
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Mary Hynes

RELI Webinar
Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Questions: Mary Hynes

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Room 502
Open to: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and Master's in Political Science students
Contact: schargss@gmu.edu
Register for the June 12 POGO 511 exam

POGO 511 is the first methods course in the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and the Master's in Political Science degree programs. Students are required to take POGO 511 during one of their first two semesters in the program.

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, July 11, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Fairfax Campus, Aquia Building, Room 336
Open to: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and Master's in Political Science students
Contact: schargss@gmu.edu
Register for the July 11 POGO 511 exam

POGO 511 is the first methods course in the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and the Master's in Political Science degree programs. Students are required to take POGO 511 during one of their first two semesters in the program.

POGO 511 Exam and Workshop
Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, First Floor
Open to: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and Master's in Political Science students
Contact: schargss@gmu.edu
Register for the August 8 POGO 511 workshop and exam

If you're interested in having structured practice and instruction before taking the POGO 511 Placement Exam, we offer the POGO 511 Workshop. The workshop is free, and after completing it (see dates and times below), students will have a brief break before taking the placement exam.

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, First Floor
Open to: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and Master's in Political Science students
Contact: schargss@gmu.edu
Register for the August 8 POGO 511 exam

POGO 511 is the first methods course in the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master's in International Security, and the Master's in Political Science degree programs. Students are required to take POGO 511 during one of their first two semesters in the program.