Prospective Students

Graduates are prepared to:
* Think critically about the challenges facing efforts to bring about peace and stability in conflict- or disaster-affected areas

* Recognize and appreciate the interests of the diverse actors typically involved in peace operations, understand the negotiating strategies used to sort out competing goals, and develop practical strategies for promoting collaboration and teamwork

* Craft and share analyses and proposals for solutions through written and oral presentations

The program is particularly interested in promoting positive working relations between military and civilian actors engaged in these operations, so the role of diplomats, international and non-governmental organizations, and military forces figure prominently in readings and classroom discussion.

Career Advancement
Our graduates are uniquely qualified to step into governmental, non-governmental, military, and international positions where they can respond to pressing issues generated by our rapidly changing global environment.

Peace Operations graduates have been working abroad in places such as Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Egypt, France, Ghana, Haiti, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, and Tajikistan.

In the U.S., they have been employed by such different organizations as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, The Marshall Legacy Institute, National Defense University, Pro-telligent LLC, SAIC, SRA International, and a variety of offices in the U.S. government.

Work performed before/during and after graduation (new window: pdf of doc)

Program Details
The Peace Operations degree is offered by George Mason’s School of Public Policy (SPP). Students have the option of going full-time or part-time, taking up to six years to complete the program. Upon graduating, students receive a Master of Science in Peace Operations.

To accommodate working students, evening classes are offered at the SPP campus in Arlington, Va., conveniently located in the vibrant Washington, D.C., metro-area.