George Mason University School of Management
George Mason University, situated a stone’s throw from the United States capital in Fairfax, Virginia, places in the top 15 percent of excellent business schools in the country and the continent, and offers its students and graduates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow and launch their careers.
George Mason University campus in Fairfax, Virginia Pic: George Mason University
With a commitment to innovative, forward-thinking business practices, George Mason University’s School of Management offers several undergraduate and graduate business degrees. The school’s location and strong reputation among the academic and business communities in the region and the country afford students access to excellent resources, events and business personalities.
The Executive MBA, also offered in National Defense, caters to working professionals who already have some business experience under their belts. The school conducts the program partly on campus and partly online, meaning that students will not necessarily have to rush to campus for all classes and can work toward their degree remotely while continuing in their current jobs. The school also offers the opportunity to complete a business residency at international locations, enhancing graduates’ global portfolios.
The Mason MBA focuses on preparing students to become global business leaders. They have at their fingertips the vast resources of the Virginia campus, access to power players in nearby Washington, D.C., and are being trained for a prominent international career.
GMU also offers several Master of Science degrees. The MS in Accounting program emphasizes problem-solving and accountability, two essential traits for accountants seeking to advance their careers and take on a leadership role within a firm or corporation.
The MS in Management of Secure Information Systems is open to midcareer professionals who wish to study cybersecurity for a career in either the public or private sectors. Students will learn to deal with crises such as state-sponsored cyber attacks, internet related industrial espionage, hacktivism, network financial fraud and cybercrime. The program is run in cooperation with GMU’s School of Public Policy and Volgenau School of Engineering, and has been recognized by the U.S. National Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security as as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research.
The MS in Real Estate Development is also a cross-disciplinary program conducted in partnership with the School of Public Policy and Volgenau School of Engineering, in order to give students a thorough understanding of civil engineering, public policy and finance, all of which are essentials to real estate development. Degree candidates in this program have the opportunity to focus their studies in real estate finance, development or sustainability. There are January and September start dates for this degree course.
GMU students come from a range of backgrounds and attend GMU for its wide ranging and rigorous business programs. Pic: George Mason University
The MS in Technology Management is one of only seven in the country to be part of the U.S. CIO University group. This degree program is meant to assist students in developing their current skill set so they can move forward in their career, whether that means taking on a new role in the company or starting their own enterprise.
In addition to these degree programs, GMU also runs multiple centers of study that focus on various aspects of business. The Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship partners with real estate developers and organizations in the Washington, D.C. area, thereby ensuring that students with an interest in this field receive current and relevant information and training.
The Center for Global Business lives up to its title by working with institutions worldwide that not only enhance the school’s academic offerings, but also give students access to international companies and players. This is invaluable to those who wish to work in the global market.
Students interested in investor protection and fraud cases will find a wealth of resources at the Investor Protection & Corporate Fraud Research Center. Here students will learn about such essential topics as the role of auditors, insider trading, management disclosures, and the legal and regulatory environment of business. Additionally, they will be trained in how to spot fraudulent tax reporting, fraud investigation and discovery.
This year the school launched a $ 150,000 venture fund to assist student entrepreneurs in bringing their business ideas to fruition.
GMU’s School of Management also extends its vast resources to those seeking to enhance their current skills and give their careers a jolt through ongoing learning programs. The school’s Executive Education programs provide that opportunity through its series of development programs.
GMU students do residencies in international locations, such as Japan. Pic:
To determine which of GMU’s business programs are right for you, visit their website, where they provide an in-depth comparison of graduate programs that will help determine which will best suit your academic needs and career goals.
Visit the School of Management’s Facebook and youtube pages and Twitter feed for a glimpse at life as a GMU student, and what can be gained from pursuing a business degree here.