Graduate Admission Policies

• Introduction
  • Graduate Applications
• Graduate Admissions Processing Centers
• Graduate Admission Examinations (GRE, GMAT, and MAT)
• Foreign Language Requirements
• Admission of Graduate Degree Holders
• Offer of Admission
• Reactivation of Deferred Applications
• Records Maintenance and Disposal
• Permission to Re-enroll in Graduate Study
• Change in Field of Graduate Study
• Graduate Study during Summer Term

For an applicant who wishes to obtain a graduate degree, the general university admission requirements are as follows:

1. A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education.
2. A 3.000 GPA (on a 4.000 scale) or better in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study. (For students with postbaccalaureate credits, a separate GPA is calculated for each institution.)
3. Undergraduate preparation for the chosen field of graduate study or appropriate experience in that field.
4. Standardized test scores and letters of recommendation as required by each program.

Specific departmental admission requirements for degree students are listed in this catalog under the relevant discipline, as well as in the Graduate Application for Admission.

A degree-seeking applicant with a baccalaureate degree who has not met all other admission requirements may be offered provisional admission if sufficient evidence is presented to suggest an applicant has the ability to pursue graduate work. A student with provisional status must have as initial objectives the removal of any deficiencies and advancement to degree status. For a change from provisional status to be considered, a graduate student must have completed 12 graduate credits in provisional status with at least a 3.000 GPA, supplied all admission credentials, and removed all deficiencies as established in the student's letter of admission. Please refer to Graduate Academic Policies for further information.

Graduate Applications

With the exception of the School of Law, the School of Management, and the Graduate School of Education, graduate applications may be requested through the Office of Admissions (MS 3A4), George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444; (703) 993-2400. An applicant seeking admission to a graduate program must submit the following:

1. An application form
2. Two official copies of transcripts from each institution attended
3. An application fee (nonrefundable)
4. A Virginia Domicile Classification form
5. Official examinations scores (GRE, GMAT, etc.) reported directly from the Educational Testing Service as required by certain departments (see admission requirements of appropriate program)
6. Letters of recommendation and departmental forms as required by departments (see admission requirements of appropriate program)
7. For international applicants (J-1 and F-I visas), the International Student Information form and certified bank statement showing first-year funds are available
8. For non-English-speaking applicants, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 575 or higher

Graduate Admissions Processing Centers

Graduate applicants are directed to send their applications and support documents directly to the Graduate Admissions Processing Center assigned to their program. Once a graduate application is complete and ready to be evaluated for admission, the graduate application files are sent to the academic departments for faculty admissions committee review. Once a decision is made, the student is notified by mail of the admission decision. Below is a list of the university Graduate Admissions Processing Centers with contact information. One may check on the status of a graduate application by calling the university "4-GMU" student information system at (703) 993-4468. Any other graduate admissions questions may be directed to the specific Graduate Admissions Processing Center assigned to an applicant's program by school, college, institute, or center.

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
College Hall, Room 119, MS 2D2
(703) 993-2419, FAX: (703) 993-8714

College of Nursing and Health Science
Robinson Hall, Room A380, MS 5A8
(703) 993-4636, FAX: (703) 993-1964

Graduate School of Education (GSE)
Robinson Hall, Room A308, MS 4D1
(703) 993-2144, FAX: (703) 993-2082

School of Information Technology and Engineering (IT&E)
Science and Technology, Room 100, MS 3D5
(703) 993-1505, FAX: (703) 993-1734

School of Management
Enterprise Hall, Lower Level, Room 011, MS 5A2
(703) 993-2136, FAX: (703) 993-1886

Institutes and Centers
Robinson Hall, Room A380, MS 5A8
(703) 993-4636, FAX: (703) 993-1964

Computational Sciences and Informatics, Ph.D.
Science and Technology I, Room 103, MS 5C3
(703) 993-4044, FAX: (703) 993-1993

New Professional Studies: Teaching, M.A.
Prince William Campus
Institute for Educational Transformation, MS 4E4
10900 University Blvd., Suite 217
Manassas, VA 20110-2203
(703) 993-8320, FAX: (703) 993-8360
Note: This program requires special permission. Please contact the program administration at the number listed above.

Graduate Admission Examinations (GRE, GMAT, and MAT)

Although a number of graduate programs do not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), almost all will use standardized test scores as an additional measurement of an applicant's qualifications. The GRE may be taken in either or both of two forms: (1) the General Examination, and (2) the Subject Examinations. Some departments require official scores for both the General and the Subject Examinations.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required of all applicants seeking an M.B.A, an M.S. in Accounting, and, in certain cases, an M.S. in Information Systems.

The Miller Analogies Test is a test of 100 analogies and is a substitute for the GRE in some graduate programs. Please consult the Application for Graduate Admission of those programs. For information regarding taking the Miller Analogies Test, please call the Testing Office at (703) 993-2390.

Academic Testing in the Office of Admissions administers all academic examinations for the university, including the GRE, GMAT, MAT, and TOEFL. Information concerning examinations, test applications, and dates may be obtained from the Testing Office, (703) 993-2390. Applicants also may write directly to GRE, P.O.Box 6000, or GMAT, P.O. Box 6108, Princeton, NJ 08541-6108, or call the Educational Testing Service at (609) 921-9000. Electronic versions of the GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL are available outside of the University. Information about electronic versions of the examinations is available through the individual test Registration Bulletins.

Foreign Language Requirements

Certain graduate programs require students who have not already completed 12 undergraduate credits in a foreign language to satisfy a foreign language requirement. This may be accomplished by taking the appropriate courses or demonstrating the equivalent proficiency by passing an examination. Contact the academic program for information on demonstrating language proficiency.

1. Students must meet all requirements and regulations of the university and their school or department.
2. Students must present with their application for admission official international transcripts translated and evaluated by an independent evaluation service certifying their previous educational training. Graduate applicants' documents should show the award of either a bachelor's degree or equivalent, or a graduate degree. Personal student papers, photostats, or attested copies are not accepted for evaluation.
3. Students must have completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have attained a score of 575 or higher with a 4.5 on the Test of Written English. A TOEFL score of at least 600 is required of teaching and research assistants. Information concerning the time and place of the TOEFL can be obtained from TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541.
4. Students on J-1 or F-1 visas, or those who wish to enter the United States on F-1 or J-1 visas, must submit the International Student Information form along with original bank statements showing that funding is available for the first year of study. Students should be prepared to demonstrate support for the duration of their study. Faxed or photocopied documents are not acceptable. Sponsors who wish to be billed directly must have a U.S. billing address.
5. After applicants receive a written offer of admission, an immigration document (I-20) will be provided to those who have verified financial support through the documents noted in 4. International students must enter the United States on a valid student or other visa. Visitor or transit visas are not valid for enrollment at the university. Students sponsored by the U.S. government or their home government may be required to enter the United States on an Exchange Visitor's Visa (J-1).
6. The U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations governing nonimmigrant F-1 students require that international students in this category pursue a full course of study (nine credits for graduate students) to maintain nonimmigrant student status.
7. All students holding J-1 visa or F-1 visas must purchase the mandatory health insurance plan for international students.
8. International students must meet and conform to all current regulations of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Admission of Graduate Degree Holders

An applicant holding one or more graduate degrees may earn an additional graduate degree in another discipline. For admission to a second graduate degree program, the applicant should submit an application, transcripts, and other documents as required by the second degree program.

Course credits used to satisfy the degree requirements for the first graduate degree may not be used to satisfy the degree requirements for the second graduate degree at the university. In programs with overlapping or similar requirements, students will be advised in the subsequent degree program regarding appropriate course substitutions for subjects already covered.

Offer of Admission

The written offer of admission specifies the effective date of admission, the category of admission offered, and the name of the faculty advisor assigned to the applicant. This offer of admission is good only for the semester for which the applicant applies. The offer of admission must be accepted by returning an enrollment confirmation card. An individual whose offer of admission has lapsed must submit a new application and fee to be reconsidered for admission at a later date. Students may simultaneously apply for more than one graduate program, but if admitted to more than one program, may accept only one offer and pursue only one degree program at a time.

Reactivation of Deferred Applications

Applicants are notified when action on an application has been deferred pending completion of courses that are prerequisite to graduate study in a chosen field. An applicant is encouraged to notify his/her program's Graduate Admissions Office in writing as soon as the prerequisites have been met. The applicant is responsible for furnishing official transcripts confirming that the prerequisite courses have been satisfactorily completed. No admission decision can be made until these grades are received.

Records Maintenance and Disposal

All admission documents, including academic records sent from other institutions, become part of the official university file and can neither be returned nor duplicated for any purpose. A student should maintain copies of official credentials for other personal use.

Admission credentials are retained for 24 months only and are subsequently destroyed for applicants who (1) do not register for courses within the time period for which the offer of admission is valid, (2) have been denied admission, (3) do not respond to requests for additional information, or (4) fail to submit complete applications (including all official transcripts and test results).

Permission to Re-enroll in Graduate Study

Permission to re-enroll in a program must be obtained by all doctoral students who have failed to enroll in at least one credit of course work for two or more consecutive semesters at George Mason University and by all master's students who have failed to enroll in at least one credit of course work for two or more consecutive semesters at George Mason University. Permission is obtained from the department. Forms are available from the Office of the Registrar, (703) 993-2441.

Change in Field of Graduate Study

Admission for graduate study is admission to a specific department. Therefore, a student is not free to change graduate programs at will. A student who wishes to change from one field of study to another must submit a new application and fee for admission. Previous acceptance into one graduate program does not guarantee acceptance into another.

Graduate Study during Summer Term

Applicants wishing to begin graduate work in summer must complete a standard application for graduate admission and be formally admitted before registering for summer.

Students accepted for fall are considered admitted students and may take courses during the previous summer.

Students close to graduating should not rely on the Summer Term for courses required to complete their degrees.