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Topic 4: Information Technology

Your GMU Email Account
Picture of computers All students are required to activate their Mason email account and monitor the account on a regular basis. SPP and the university will provide official information to you using the Mason email system and you are responsible for the content of university communication sent to your account. You can activate and access your Mason email at https://thanatos.gmu.edu/masonlive/login

Responsible Use of Computing Policy
Members of the Mason communicy are required to adhere to the Responsible Use of Computing Policy (RUC). The provisions of this policy can be found at: http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/1301gen.html

Patriot web
https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/
Patriotweb is a self-service interface created for Mason students, faculty, and staff. As a Mason student you will use Patriotweb to:

Register for courses and make schedule adjustments
Waitlist for courses
Check your registration status and view your class schedule
View your account balance and post tuition payments
Review your financial aid status and awards
View your final grades and degree progress
Update your address and contact information

The SPP Student Guide to Patriotweb provides step-by-step instructions for navigating various Patriotweb functions.

Blackboard
Blackboard is a web-based system used by some SPP faculty to post course readings and assignments and to facilitate class discussions. If your professor is using Blackboard he/she will provide you with access to the class folder in Blackboard. To login to Blackboard, go to http://courses.gmu.edu and enter your GMU e-mail user name, without the "gmu.edu". The password is your email password.

Blackboard Student Quick Guide

Blackboard FAQs

Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint
Basic Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills may be necessary for some of your course work. If you do not feel confident in using these software programs, free tutorials are available to you as a Mason student through Skillport , an online training resource. You can access these tutorials by following the steps below:
Step one: Go to http://smartforce.gmu.edu/
Step two: Log onto Skillport Username: Entire Mason Email address, Password: G-number including "G"
Step three: Click on the “Catalog” menu button
Step four: Select the MS Office 2007 folder
Step five: Select the appropriate Excel or Powerpoint tutorial

Continue to Topic 5: Graduate Research and Writing
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SPP tuition for in-state students is approximately half the cost of the tuition at private competitors in the D.C. area.

Employer information sessions are offered each semester with public, private, and nonprofit organizations such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, RAND, Third Way, and the Department of Treasury.

More than 70% of SPP students are employed while pursuing their degrees -- classes are offered in the late afternoon and early evening to accommodate full- and part-time students.