Admission

• Undergraduate Admission Policies
• Graduate Admission Policies
  
  
• Special Types of Enrollment
  • Extended Studies
  • High School Guest Matriculant
  • College Guest Matriculants
  • Senior Citizens
  • Graduate Non-degree Status
  • Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates
  • Summer Term
• Academic Testing
  • Testing Center
  • Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination

Special Types of Enrollment

Extended Studies

The Extended Studies program enables students who have no immediate degree objectives, or may need to satisfy prerequisites for graduate admission, to enroll in courses for which they are qualified without seeking formal admission to the university. It is generally expected that Extended Studies enrollees have earned a minimum of 30 credits at another institution before applying for Extended Studies. Extended Studies applications are available through the Admissions Office or on the web at www.admissions.gmu.edu/extstud/onapps.html.

Extended Studies students may be restricted to undergraduate and 500- and 600-level graduate courses. Enrollment is based on eligibility criteria and availability of space in courses, and in high-demand fields may be restricted or prohibited. Prospective enrollees may be required to supply unofficial evidence of their academic background along with the Extended Studies application to the Admissions Office. Students enrolling in both undergraduate and graduate courses during the same semester will be charged at the graduate tuition rate.

Extended Studies enrollees are expected to achieve a semester average of at least C (2.000) in all undergraduate courses and at least B (3.000) in all graduate courses. Students who do not meet these criteria during two consecutive periods of enrollment are not permitted to register again through Extended Studies.

Extended Studies enrollees who wish to apply for admission to a degree program may do so at any time by following the standard undergraduate or graduate admission procedures. A maximum of 18 undergraduate credits may be applied to an undergraduate degree program. The Office of Admissions applies the same criteria for admission to Extended Studies students applying for undergraduate degree status as to students transferring from other institutions. Graduate applicants, should consult with their school or college deans, to determine the maximum number of graduate credits they may apply towards a master's program. If the admitted graduate student has transfer credit from another institution, the amount of applicable credit earned through Extended Studies may be reduced accordingly. Students must fulfill the degree requirements outlined in the catalog in effect at the time they are admitted as degree candidates.

Grades earned through Extended Studies remain a part of the student's permanent record, are recorded on the standard university transcript, and are counted in determining the student's future academic standing. Extended Studies students will be assigned to an academic unit on the basis of their educational plans as stated on their application. The academic unit will handle academic advising and determine the student's eligibility to continue in the Extended Studies program. Students unsure of their future educational plans may consult Academic Support and Advising Services.

High School Guest Matriculant

Secondary school students who wish to take courses at George Mason for transfer back to their high schools may enroll through the Extended Studies program as high school guest matriculants. Students must submit a copy of their high school transcripts and PSAT or SAT scores with the Extended Studies Application to participate. Students who have completed Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams should include copies of the results. It is the responsibility of the student to inform his or her high school counselor of the decision to enrol in classes at Mason. High schoool teachers or counselors wishing to provide support for the student's enrollment may e-mail Larry Beatty, Associate Dean of Admissions, at lbeatty@gmu.edu.

College Guest Matriculant

College students enrolled at other accredited institutions who wish to take courses at George Mason for transfer to their home institutes may enroll through the Extended Studies program as guest matriculants. It is recommended that students consult with their home colleges or universities before attempting to register for classes at Mason. Undergraduate or graduate guest matriculants require written permission from their home college or universities before admission. The responsibility for determining the transferability of the course work to the home institution lies with the student.

Students may submit an Extended Studies application through the Admissions web site at: www.admissions.gmu.edu/extstud/onapps.html or contact the Admissions Office at (703) 993-2400 for more information.

Senior Citizens

The Extended Studies Enrollment Office coordinates enrollment under the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, as amended and as applicable to the university. Under the terms of this act, eligible Virginia residents 60 years of age or older with a taxable income not exceeding $10,000 are entitled to enroll in courses offered for academic credit on a space-available basis without payment of tuition and fees. Senior citizens who meet the income eligibility requirement and who have completed a minimum of 75 percent of degree requirements may enroll during normal registration periods without payment of tuition and fees. The Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Form is available from the Registrar's Office for senior citizens who want to participate.

In addition, the act provides for audit of courses offered for academic credit and also for enrollment in noncredit courses without payment of tuition and fees on a space-available basis, regardless of the taxable income level. Students seeking to audit a class must notify the Registrar's Office when registering for classes. Tuition, however, may be charged for courses designed exclusively for senior citizen groups. No senior citizen may change registration status in any given semester once he or she has initially registered for classes.

Graduate Non-degree Status

School of Information Technology and Engineering (IT&E)

Admission for non-degree graduate study is suitable for those persons who do not currently wish to pursue a degree, but are interested in taking graduate IT&E courses. The following application materials should be submitted for consideration: IT&E non-degree application, official or unofficial transcripts, nonrefundable application fee, and a Course Request Form. A resume is optional.

Once the student receives an approved Course Request Form from IT&E, he/she may register via the telephone registration system (4GMU) or in person for the course. Approval for nondegree status does not guarantee admission for a degree program at a later date. Up to 12 credit hours taken in non-degree status may be transferred to an IT&E degree or certificate program, subject to the general rules for transfer of graduate credit. Students who do not register for the term for which they are accepted may have their enrollment postponed for one semester upon written request to the Admissions Office. Further information about IT&E programs and course offerings may be obtained from IT&E departmental offices or the IT&E Graduate Student Services Office, Science and Technology II, Room 100, (703) 993-1505.

School of Computational Sciences

Non-degree status is available for professionals who are interested in taking a limited number of courses in the computational sciences and informatics (CSI) doctoral program. Up to 12 credit hours taken in nondegree status may be transferred into the CSI doctoral or certificate program at a later date. Note that approval for non-degree status does not guarantee admission into either the doctoral or certificate program. For admission into non-degree status, the student should have a 3.000 GPA or higher and a B.S. degree in mathematics, computer science, engineering, or natural science. Exceptions are reviewed on an individual basis. The following application materials should be submitted for consideration: CSI non-degree application, official or unofficial transcripts, and a nonrefundable application fee. A resume is optional. The CSI nondegree application can be downloaded from the School of Computational Sciences website at www.csi.gmu.edu

Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates

Undergraduates may request approval to take a graduate course either for reserve graduate credit or for undergraduate credit. Special circumstances apply. See details in the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog or in the Schedule of Classes.

Summer Term

Summer enrollment is open to eligible undergraduate and graduate students on a priority registration basis. The Summer Term offers more than 750 daytime and evening classes in four sessions from five to eight weeks. Academic departments take advantage of the Summer Term's unique opportunities to schedule innovative as well as traditional courses. Manyany undergraduate and graduate students use the Summer Term as a third semester with the option of taking up to 14 credits.

Academic Testing

Testing Center

As a means of assessing the academic preparation of its students, the university requires the submission of certain test information.

Students may obtain applications for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), from the information desk in the Johnson Center or the Testing Center in Krug Hall, Room 101.

Computer-Based Testing (CBT)

The university, in cooperation with Educational Testing Services (ETS), has established a computer-based testing facility in the Testing Center, Krug Hall, Room 101. The CBT facility offers computer-based GRE, GMAT, TOEFL and Praxis exams on a daily basis during the academic year. Students wishing to take any of the CBT tests should obtain the appropriate Information and Registration Bulletin (available at the information desk in the Johnson Center and at the brochure display in front of the testing center) and indicate George Mason's Testing Center number: 7712 as their desired testing location. Space is limited to 15 people during a testing period, so it is to the student's advantage to register early.

Praxis Series of Tests

Persons seeking an initial teacher license in Virginia are required to satisfy the professional teacher's assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. As of July 1, 1996, the Virginia Board of Education requires the Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments (either PPST or CBT in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) and Praxis II: Specialty Area Test.

The Graduate School of Education requires that Praxis I scores be submitted with an application to an initial teacher licensure program. Those scores become one of the multiple criteria used in making admission decisions.

The Praxis Registration Bulletin is available in Krug Hall, Room 101, and in Robinson Hall, Room A307. Call (800) 853-6773 to register for the computer-based test version of Praxis I. George Mason University's Computer-Based Testing Center (ETS Testing Center number: 7712) is in Krug Hall. Register online (http://www.praxis.org) for the PPST version of the Praxis I and Praxis II tests.

Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination

Academic departments frequently revise information regarding credit by examinations. The most current information can be found at: www.admissions.gmu.edu/ugrad/acbe.html.

Advanced Placement^® (AP) Program

Students who have completed Advanced Placement (AP) examinations in secondary schools can receive academic credit. College credit will be awarded for a score of 4 or higher. Scores of 3 are also recognized by several academic departments for college credit. Additional information or requests to have AP scores forwarded to George Mason University can be obtained from the College Board web site at www.admissions.gmu.edu/ugrad/acbe.html or by calling (609 771-7300.

International Baccalaureate^® (IB) Program

George Mason University recognizes the IB curriculum as a strong pre-university academic program and encourages applicants to complete the requirements for the IB diploma. Specific information regarding the International Baccalaureate Program can be found at: (http://www.ibo.org). Advanced standing may be awarded for Higher Level (HL) examinations with scores of 5, 6, 7. The International Baccalaureate North America Office, 475 Riverside Drive, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10015, must issue official transcripts. IB transcripts can be requested by calling (212) 696-4464.

The College Level Examination Program^® (CLEP)

Academic credit can be awarded based upon the successful completion of a number of CLEP Subject examinations. The University does not recognize credit earned by the CLEP General examination. Effective June 1, 2001, the CLEP Subject examinations will be offered in a computer-based format. The revised policy regarding the awarding of CLEP credit. The revised policy regarding the awarding of CLEP credit will be posted at the "Credit by Examination" web site:
(http://www.admissions.gmu.edu/ugrad/acbe.html).

A Credit by Examination brochure explaining the amount of credit to be awarded for AP, IB, and CLEP examinations may be obtained from the Admissions Office.

George Mason University Departmental Exams

Proficiency examinations are offered in a number of courses normally taken during the first two years. Credit is recorded for grades of C or above, but does not affect the student's grade point average.

Students may not earn credit by examination for courses in which they are currently enrolled beyond the time allotted to add courses in that semester, or in courses already audited or failed at the university. Transfer students may not earn by examination any part of the 30 credits that must be completed at George Mason University to earn a degree.

English 101 Proficiency Exam

Students who pass the English 101 Proficiency Exam will receive three credits for English 101. The three-hour essay is based on a choice of topics. The exam is scheduled periodically during the semester. For additional information, please visit the English Department's proficiency exam web site at: (http://mason.gmu.edu/~sremicks) or contact Stacey Remick-Simkins, Robinson Hall, Room A487, sremicks@gmu.edu.

English 302 Advanced Composition Exam

Students seeking to be exempt from English 302 may submit a written portfolio to the English Department. To qualify for the exemption, the written portfolio must demonstrate proficiency equal to that of students who have successfully completed English 302. The prerequisite for taking the English 302 advanced composition exam is 1) completion of 45 credits, 2) completion of English 101 or 100, and 3) completion of the literature requirement for the major. The English Department will accept a portfolio between September 1 and April 8. For additional information, please visit the English Department's proficiency exam web site at: (http://mason.gmu.edu/~sremicks/) or contact Stacey Remick-Simkins, Robinson Hall, Room A487, sremicks@gmu.edu.

Foreign Language Placement

The College Board SAT II test in a foreign language is used for placement in French, German, classical Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Freshman applicants who wish to receive the appropriate foreign language placement should take this exam during their senior year in high school. Students who have not taken the SAT II in foreign language may take it in the foreign language lab once on campus. The SAT II examination is mandatory for anyone who has studied one of these languages for at least two years, has no previous college credit in the language, and wishes to continue study of the same language at the university. Transfer students receiving credit for college-level foreign language study completed at other colleges do not usually need a placement test, but must consult the Department of Modern and Classical Languages to determine their correct placement.

It is the student's responsibility to take a placement exam and obtain its results before enrolling in a foreign language course. The placement exam is given in conjunction with Orientation, or the schedule can be found on the web at (http://www.gmu.edu/departments/fld/LAB/test2.html). Specific information on interpreting test scores can be obtained from the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

Students may not enroll for credit in a course at a level lower than the one in which they are placed. Students and instructors should attempt to identify and resolve cases of inappropriate placement during the first days of each course. For students whose degree program contains a foreign language requirement, the placement determines the maximum number of credits, if any, that will be needed to fulfill the requirement.

A foreign language placement is not required of international students who present evidence of having studied for four or more years in an educational institution where the primary language of instruction was other than English. These students will be considered to have fulfilled the foreign language requirement, but are not eligible for credit below the 300 level.

If through transfer credit, a placement test score, or George Mason course work, a student meets the prerequisite for a lower-division foreign language course that is not offered during a particular semester, the dean will normally grant permission to continue the foreign language sequence by allowing the students to take courses at another college or university.

Math Placement Exam

The Math Placement Exam is a computer-based test to help assess a student's proficiency in math. Entering students are required to successfully complete the exam during orientation, unless they have received advanced placement (AP) credit or transfer credit. The web address for the math placement test schedule is (http://cas.gmu.edu/math_placement/).