 | Catalog Index |
Graduate Admission Policies
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. The criteria for admission selection differs by program and is established by the departmental faculty. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their academic backgrounds, the results of standardized examinations (if required by the program), work experience, and any additional evidence of potential success in the program. Annually, departmental faculty determine the number of offers of admission they may extend by the university resources available for their program. Admission RequirementsThe general university graduate admission requirements are as follows:
Graduate Application RequirementsFor full consideration for graduate admission, applicants must submit:
Specific departmental admission requirements for degree students are listed in this catalog under the relevant discipline, as well as in the Graduate Program Requirements Chart in the Application for Graduate Study. Graduate Applications Available on the InternetGraduate applications Internet addresses are:
Requesting a Printed ApplicationWe highly encourage you to access the appropriate graduate application on the web to apply for graduate admission. If you would like a paper application sent to you for any program (with the exception of the School of Law and the School of Management), please contact the Office of Admissions, MS 3A4, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444; (703) 993-2400; e-mail: admissions@gmu.edu, or fax: (703) 993-2392. For the School of Law and the School of Management, use the contact information below to request a paper application. Graduate Admissions Processing CentersThe graduate admissions process is decentralized at the university. Applicants are directed to send their applications and support documents directly to the Graduate Admissions Processing Center assigned to their program. Specific mailing instructions are listed in the Application for Graduate Study. Once a graduate application is complete and ready to be evaluated for admission, the graduate application file is sent to the academic department for faculty admissions committee review. An applicant is notified by mail of the admission decision. Below is a list of the Graduate Admissions Processing Centers with contact information. To check on the status of a graduate application, call the university 4GMU student information system at (703) 993-4468. Any other graduate admission questions may be directed to the specific Graduate Admissions Processing Center assigned to an applicant's program by school, college, or institute.
* This program requires special permission. Please contact the program administration at the number listed above. Graduate Admission ExaminationsAlthough a number of graduate programs do not require standardized tests, almost all will use test scores as an additional measurement of an applicant's qualifications. Please consult the Graduate Program Chart in the Application for Graduate Study for departmental admissions test requirements. The George Mason University Testing Center offers computer-based graduate admissions examinations including the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and the Praxis Series. Exams are offered weekdays and some Saturdays. Students may register for an exam in person at the Testing Center, Krug Hall, Room 101, or by calling the appropriate national registration number listed below. For information regarding the tests given by the Testing Center, call (703) 993-2390, or visit the Office of Admissions web site at www.admissions.gmu.edu. Students who wish to take computer-based graduate admissions exams at George Mason University should indicate George Mason's Test Center Number: 7712 on their registration forms. Information and Registration Bulletins for all national graduate admissions exams are available at the information desk in the Johnson Center and at the brochure display in front of the Testing Center. To have official test scores sent to George Mason University, list George Mason's Institutional Code: 5827 on the registration form. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be taken in two forms: (1) the General Examination, and (2) the Subject Examinations. Some departments require official scores for both the General and the Subject Examinations. Students may schedule the computer-based GRE General Exam on campus in the Testing Center by calling (703) 993-2390 or (800) 473-2255. Students may register for the GRE Subject Exam on line at www.gre.org. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required of all applicants seeking an M.B.A and may be taken in lieu of the GRE for the M.S. in Information Systems. Students may schedule the computer-based GMAT on campus at the Testing Center by calling (703) 993-2390, (800) 462-8669, or on line at www.gmat.org. The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is a test of 100 analogies and may be a substitute for the GRE in some graduate programs. The Miller Analogies Test is not offered at George Mason University, but may be taken at other local universities including the University of Maryland. To have the official MAT scores sent to George Mason University, list George Mason's Institutional Code: 1768. For information about scheduling the MAT call (800) 622-3231 or visit the MAT web site at www.tpcweb.com. The Praxis I is required by the Graduate School of Education for graduate applicants for an initial teacher licensure program. Students may schedule the Praxis on campus in the Testing Center by calling (703) 993- 2390, (800) 853-6773, or www.praxis.org. The TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) may be required for graduate applicants for whom English is not their first language. Students may schedule the TOEFL exam on campus at the Testing Center by calling (703) 993-2390, (800) 468-6335, or www.toefl.org. Foreign Language RequirementsCertain 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. Admission of International StudentsThe admissions process for international applicants is the same as for domestic applicants, with a few additional requirements. Students must complete the Application for U.S. Graduate Study. Application deadlines for international students are one month prior to those published for domestic applications. Official transcripts from previous educational institutions must be attached. International transcripts must be translated into English, and evaluated by an accredited U.S. evaluation service. A list of evaluation services is available at www.naces.org. Graduate students' documents should show the award of either a bachelor's degree or equivalent, or a graduate degree. Personal student papers, photocopies, or attested copies are not acceptable for evaluation. International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and attain a score of at least 230 (computer-based exam) or 575 (paper-based), with a 4.5 on the Test of Written English. A TOEFL score of at least 250 (computer-based) or 600 (paper-based) is required to qualify for a teaching or research assistantship. Information concerning where and when to take the TOEFL is available at www.toefl.org, by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541, or by contacting the George Mason Testing Center. A prospective student seeking to enter the United States in F-1 or J-1 visa status (or, if already in the United States, seeking to transfer to Mason) must complete the International Student Information Form. The form and financial support documents must be submitted along with the application to Graduate Admissions. In order to be issued an immigration document, sufficient evidence (original bank statement, scholarship letter, sponsor's salary statement, for example), must be provided showing enough money to cover the first year of study. The International Student Information Form gives an estimated amount, which includes tuition, living expenses, and health insurance. Students must also demonstrate the source of financial support for the subsequent year(s) of the program. Graduate assistantships are very limited. Sponsors who wish to be billed directly must provide a U.S. billing address. It is the students' responsibility to make sure tuition and fees are paid on time. Applicants who are accepted to a program will receive a written offer of admission. The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) will review financial support documents for students who are seeking F-1 or J-1 visa status. If the documents are satisfactory, OIPS will issue an immigration document (Form I-20 or IAP-66) and mail it to the address indicated on the application. The student will be notified by OIPS if financial documents are not complete. International students outside the United States must take the immigration document to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and apply for a student visa (F-1 or J-1). A letter of admission, evidence of financial support, an immigration document, and a valid passport, are the basic requirements for obtaining a student visa. Most students qualify for an F-1 visa, but students who are 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). Students who are already in the United States transferring from another institution, must obtain a George Mason I-20/IAP-66 and complete a transfer of immigration status within 15 days of the first semester at Mason. This is different from transferring academic credits. Contact OIPS for details. U.S. immigration law requires international students in F-1 and J-1 status to enroll for a full course load each fall and spring semester. Full time enrollment is normally defined as nine credits per semester for graduate students, and twelve credits for undergraduate students. Because of this requirement, F-1 or J1 international students do not qualify for part-time programs or non-degree status. All students in F-1 and J-1 status will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan offered by the university. When international students register for classes, the cost of this coverage is automatically billed to their accounts by the Office of Student Accounts. Failure to pay these charges results in cancellation of registration for classes and financial suspension, unless the student meets the requirements for an exemption from health insurance requirements. Late fees may be assessed if charges are not paid by the date established by the Cash Office. International students are required to purchase insurance for the entire year. Exemptions may be granted from the mandatory university health insurance plan for students with certain sponsored foreign government plans, and students with evidence of an alternate insurance policy that meets all university requirements. A student who believes he/she qualifies for an exemption has the responsibility to apply for an exemption through the health insurance representative in the Student Health Services Office, Student Union Building I (SUB 1), Room 252 E, (703) 992-2827. An exemption must be obtained within the student's first semester at the university (or a subsequent fall semester), on week prior to the last day to add classes. Students in a nonimmigrant category other than F-1 or J-1 should also submit the International Student Information Form, but do not need to attach financial support documents. International students studying at George Mason University must meet and conform to current regulations of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. The Office of International Programs and Services should be contacted for all questions pertaining to immigration status (703) 993-2970, or oips@gmu.edu. Additional information is available on the OIPS web site at www.gmu.edu/student/oips. Admission of Graduate Degree HoldersAn 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 AdmissionThe 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. Provisional AdmissionA degree-seeking graduate applicant with a baccalaureate degree who has not met all admissions requirements may be offered provisional admission if sufficient evidence is presented to suggest the applicant has the ability to pursue graduate work. As first priority when starting the graduate program, a provisionally admitted student must satisfy the conditions of admission. Once the student has satisfied the conditions specified in the offer of admission and submitted all admissions credentials, the provisional qualifier will be removed from the student's record. Written confirmation indicating the removal will be sent to the student from the college/school/institute dean or director. If the student does not meet the admissions conditions within the time limit specified, the student may be terminated from the program. All applicants admitted provisionally are in degree-seeking status, and the course work taken appears as a part of their regular student record and does not need to be transferred. Reactivation of Deferred ApplicationsApplicants 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 Processing Center 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. An admission decision cannot be made until these grades are received. Change in Field of Graduate StudyAdmission for graduate study is admission to a specific program. 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 application fee. Previous acceptance into one graduate program does not guarantee acceptance into another. Beginning Graduate Study during Summer TermApplicants 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. Records Maintenance and DisposalAll 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). George Mason University: 2001-2002 University Catalog: Catalog Index: Admission | |