Upcoming Events

2025

August

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.


Online Master’s Orientation
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Location: Zoom
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Contact: Kristina Bonfiglio (kbonfigl@gmu.edu)


PhD Orientation
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Room 308
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Contact: John Washington (jwashi4@gmu.edu)


New Student Orientation
Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, MPR and Auditorium
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Contact: Silva Pecini Morris (specini@gmu.edu)

September

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 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 September 12th 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 Webinar 
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Time: 12 – 1:15 p.m.
More info including registration link to come
Contact: Mary Hynes (Maryhhynes@icloud.com)


Virginia Public Access Project Book Event
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Time: 5 – 9 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Auditorium
Open to: This is a CLOSED event


RELI Webinar
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Time: 12 – 1:15 p.m.
More info including registration link to come
Contact: Mary Hynes (Maryhhynes@icloud.com)

October

RELI – PSLN
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Contact: Mary Hynes (maryhhynes@icloud.com)


CSPS Gettysburg Trip
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Contact: Ellen Laipson (elaipson@gmu.edu)


RELI Webinar 
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm
More info including registration link to come
Contact: Mary Hynes (Maryhhynes@icloud.com)


POGO 511 Workshop & Exam
Date: Friday, October 17, 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 October 17th 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, October 17, 2025
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Auditorium
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 October 17th 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 Webinar
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 12 pm – 1:15 p.m.
More info including registration link to come
Contact: Mary Hynes (Maryhhynes@icloud.com)


Oligarch, Corruption and Security (TraCCC event)
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Auditorium
More info including registration link to come
Contact: Janine Wedel (jwedel@gmu.edu); Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (gcorreac@gmu.edu); Naoru Koizumi (nkoizumi@gmu.edu)

November

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 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 November 7th 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.


After Virginia Votes
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 6 – 9 p.m. 
Location: Mason Square, Fuse Multi-purpose room
Contact: Anh Pham (apham16@gmu.edu)


RELI Breakfast
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 8 – 10 a.m.
Open to: This is a CLOSED event
Contact: Mary Hynes (maryhhynes@icloud.com)

December

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 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 December 5th 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 Annual Awards Luncheon
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
More info including registration link to come
Contact: Mary Hynes (maryhhynes@icloud.com)

2026

January

POGO 511 Workshop and Exam
Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
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 January 9th POGO 511 exam

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
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 January 9th POGO 511 exam

February

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
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 February 6, 2026 POGO 511 exam

March

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 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 March 13, 2026 POGO 511 exam

April

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
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 3, 2026 POGO 511 exam

May

POGO 511 Workshop and Exam
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, First Floor, Room TBD
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 8th POGO 511 workshop and exam

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, First Floor, Room TBD
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 8, 2026 POGO 511 exam

June

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
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, 2026 POGO 511 exam

July

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
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 10, 2026 POGO 511 exam

August

POGO 511 Workshop and Exam
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
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 August 7th POGO 511 workshop and exam

POGO 511 Exam
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
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 August 7, 2026 POGO 511 exam