Master of Science in Operations Research

at INTO Group - George Mason University USA

This is a shared program between the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences and the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science.

The program addresses the growing demand for trained professionals in the Earth sciences. The degree emphasizes a research-oriented, global systems approach to studying the Earth and its systems- the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the lithosphere, including their interrelationships and interactions with the biosphere. Emphasis is on the observation, measurement, and analysis of Earth's systems.

Most student research projects and theses will relate to geologic and geographic topics, however studies of related topics in Earth science are welcome. Students completing the program are qualified to pursue careers that require knowledge of the basics of Earth systems science and the requisite tools, specifically pertaining to the area of Earth science that they choose to investigate. Students are encouraged to undertake a master's thesis but may choose a research project. In the latter case, students must pass a comprehensive exam.

International Year One in Human and Social Development will prepare you to enter your next semester of a bachelor’s degree program at George Mason University. Upon successful completion of International Year One and meeting university requirements for undergraduate admission, you may enter your next semester of undergraduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason program to a university degree program is called progression.

Health Administration-B.S.

The BS in Health Administration prepares students to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals; clinics; community health, home care, long-term care, and managed care organizations; physician practices; information technology, medical technology and supply organizations; advocacy organizations and professional associations; the insurance industry; and consulting firms.

Students who successfully complete an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway or Graduate Bridge Program in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering are assured progression to a Mason graduate degree program upon submission of additional required application materials. We accept students from a variety of backgrounds and tailor the program based on your academic needs. Accepted 3-year and 4-year degrees (or the equivalent) vary based on selected concentrations.

• Any Concentration: Civil engineering or environmental engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering: Civil engineering, environmental engineering or geological engineering
• Transportation Engineering: Civil engineering, environmental engineering, transportation engineering or systems engineering
• Construction Engineering and Management: Any engineering field
• Structural Engineering: Civil engineering, environmental engineering, aerospace engineering, engineering mechanics, architectural engineering or mechanical engineering
• Environmental and Water Resources Engineering: Civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biological systems engineering, chemistry, biology or environmental science

Upon successful completion of an INTO Mason Pathway program and meeting university requirements for graduate admission, you may enter your next semester of graduate study at George Mason University.

Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, Concentration in Transportation Engineering-M.S.
This MS is designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, although domestic students with related undergraduate degrees may be considered for provisional admission. The MS educates students in the theory and practice of civil engineering science and design, with a technical concentration. The master's degree is increasingly expected for high level practice in civil engineering, and prepares graduates to practice in civil engineering for: federal, state, or local government; engineering design firms; construction firms; public utilities; non-governmental organizations; and local and regional planning firms, among others. The MS degree serves as a foundation for subsequent study in a doctoral program in civil engineering, as well as for graduate studies in architecture, law, business, economics, finance, and public policy and administration.

Students study behavior as it relates to health and well-being, child and adolescent development, education, social situations, the workplace, and the use of technology. Due to Mason’s close proximity to Washington, D.C. the department is especially active in research that informs public policy and national defense. Students who graduate from this program go on to work in a wide range of fields and positions, including human resources, data analysis, user interface design, and social media and marketing.

Students who successfully complete an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway program in Digital Forensics are assured progression to a Mason graduate degree program upon submission of additional required application materials.

Upon successful completion of an INTO Mason Pathway program and meeting university requirements for graduate admission, you may enter your second semester of graduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason Pathway program to a university degree program is called 'progression'.

Digital Forensics-M.S.
Digital forensics is a discipline addressing the collection, processing, and analysis of digital data for the purpose of verifying/validating the existence of an event of investigative, intelligence, cyber, or business interest.  The data can be from physical media, a mobile device, real-time network traffic, the Internet of Things (IoT), unknown code, memory, the cloud, and many other sources. Digital forensics is interdisciplinary by nature and our program includes computer engineering, computer science, information technology, law, and ethics.  Digital forensics is a key component in criminal, corporate, civil, cyber defense, incident response, intelligence, and counter-terrorism matters. In the last several years, with a proliferation of digital storage, transmission, and processing of sensitive information, there has been an increase in the aberrant use of digital devices. This aberrant behavior includes but is not limited to digital extortion, intrusions, economic espionage, child exploitation, cybercrime, fraud, terrorism, and identity theft.  In response to this, digital forensics has become an important profession serving both public and private sectors.  The MS in Digital Forensics will prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers to include law enforcement, various other branches of government, incident response, and all facets of cyber security by combining academic education with real world practical techniques and by offering advanced training in analyzing digital evidence, intrusion forensics, reverse engineering, network analysis, legal, and ethical matters.

Students who successfully complete an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway or Graduate Bridge Program in Economics are assured progression to a Mason graduate degree program upon submission of additional required application materials.

Upon successful completion of an INTO Mason Pathway program and meeting university requirements for graduate admission, you may enter your next semester of graduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason Pathway program to a university degree program is called 'progression'.

Economics-M.A.
The Mason style of economics fuses scholarship in the fields of public choice (founded by Nobel Laureate and former Mason professor, the late James Buchanan), Austrian economics, and experimental economics (the latter founded by Nobel Laureate and Mason professor emeritus Vernon Smith). Our nationally ranked graduate economics programs are noted for their emphasis on comparative institutional analysis and their concentration on the relationships among economic, political, and legal institutions.

Economics faculty are often sought after by media outlets to provide their opinions and expertise, invited to give congressional testimony, and frequently offer value-added advice to policy makers. Faculty are actively engaged in academic research on, and teaching about, numerous subjects including: experimental economics, Austrian economics, public choice, constitutional political economy, law and economics, and new institutional economics,

Students pursuing a Master of Arts in Sociology may pursue studies in a wide range of areas of sociological inquiry. Faculty in the program specialize in culture (including music, art, new media, and consumption); family, youth and aging; gender; globalization; immigration and migration; political economy, development and economic sociology; political sociology and social movements; race/ethnicity; religion; sociological theory; and urban sociology. The program is strongly connected to nonprofit and community groups, providing ample opportunity for research, internships, and employment.

International Year One in Human and Social Development will prepare you to enter your next semester of a bachelor’s degree program at George Mason University. Upon successful completion of International Year One and meeting university requirements for undergraduate admission, you may enter your next semester of undergraduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason program to a university degree program is called progression.

Kinesiology-B.S.
This degree in kinesiology is a demanding science-based program designed to prepare students for a career in clinical exercise, coaching, corporate fitness, exercise and sport psychology, medical and exercise equipment sales, personal training, sport and exercise nutrition, sport science, or wellness/fitness management. The Kinesiology (KINE) program provides students with a strong science foundation for post-graduate specialized study in kinesiology or professional schools (e.g., chiropractic, medical, physical therapy). The KINE program has a comprehensive approach to the study of human movement. Three separate internship experiences totaling 700 hours provide KINE students with the opportunity to apply evidence-based knowledge and its practical application in general fitness, clinical and sports performance settings.

International Year One in Business will prepare you to enter your next semester of a bachelor’s degree program at George Mason University. Upon successful completion of International Year One and meeting university requirements for undergraduate admission, you may enter your next semester of undergraduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason program to a university degree program is called progression.

Management Concentration
Organizations need managers that can lead people, think strategically, and create successful organizational environments. The management concentration teaches you how to:

• Motivate human capital
• Encourage teamwork
• Identify competitive advantages
• Build and change organizations
• Negotiate effectively
• Think strategically
• Engage in consulting
• Start a new business successfully
• Manage people and organizations
• Succeed in diverse and multicultural work environments

Mason’s master of science in accounting program is designed to help you meet Virginia’s 150-credit CPA licensing requirement while developing advanced analytical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. Those who earn a master’s in accounting and pass the CPA exam have greater accounting career prospects and earning potential.  

Courses emphasize the latest trends and issues in accounting, business ethics, and corporate governance. You also can complete an internship for credit, which gives you meaningful work experience and can lead to a full-time employment offer. You’ll study financial, audit, and tax accounting, and you can also customize your degree by simultaneously earning a certificate in accounting for government contracts, government accounting, forensic accounting, or accounting analytics.