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International students can spend an exciting semester or year studying at George Mason University near the capital city of the U.S. If you study at one of our partner institution, listed below, you can study abroad at George Mason.
APPLICATION & DEADLINE
CREDITS
CONTACT INFORMATION
COST
DATES
DESCRIPTION
ELIGIBILITY
HOUSING
USEFUL LINKS FOR INCOMING STUDENTS
Fall Semester 2008: August 25 - December 17, 2008
Spring Semester 2008: January 19 - May 13, 2009
Located just outside of Washington, DC, the capital city of the United States, George Mason University is an innovative and entrepreneurial institution with a growing and diverse student body and exceptional faculty of enterprising scholars.
Mason is a fairly young school, given full degree granting powers from the state of Virginia in 1966. Since then, the university has grown rapidly to its current population of nearly 30,000 students. The university has 3 campuses; however, study abroad students will live and learn on the Fairfax Campus. The campus houses some of the most innovative college buildings in the U.S. and has an Aquatic and Fitness Center, several dining facilities and numerous programs and activities for students during the year.
Your semester or year will begin with an orientation program hosted by the Office of International Programs and Services. During the orientation you will be introduced to campus life and academics at the university. During the semester you will take courses and can participate in any of the many clubs and recreational sports teams on campus.
Mason has direct exchange partnerships with the following institutions:
AUSTRALIA
La Trobe University (on hold)
University of Canberra
CHILE
Universidad Del Desarrollo
Universidad Adolfo Ibanez (on hold)
ENGLAND
University of Leicester
University of Reading
FRANCE
Euromed Marseille School of Business
GERMANY
Aachen University of Applied Sciences
(Please follow the separate application procedures specifically for the Aachen exchange program.)
JAPAN
KOREA
MALTA
MEXICO
NETHERLANDS
SPAIN
SWEDEN
Students at Mason generally take 4-5 classes per semester. Most classes count as 3 credits, which equals a total of 12-15 credits per semester. Classes are offered on 3 levels, with 100 level courses at introductory level, 200 levels courses intermediate and 300 level courses advanced. Most direct exchange students take courses at the 200 and 300 levels.
You may take courses from many departments in the university, including but not limited to:
- American Studies
- Literature
- History
- Natural Sciences
- Sports Management
- Foreign Languages
For more information on the university's course offerings, please consult the course catalogue. To find out if a specific course is offered during the semester please check the schedule of classes.
Direct Exchange students live on the Fairfax Campus. You will register for housing before arriving at the university.
The Office of Housing and Residential Life manages the on-campus residences. Many options are available and you are encouraged to apply early to get your preferred choice. All options include a telephone line, voice mail and internet and include all utilities.
You will share a room with a Mason student and live in typical college style. Rooms have a bed, desk, dresser and closet for each student. Some options have kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms. No matter which option you choose, you will find that living on campus is a great way to make friends and allows you easy access to classes, sports facilities and the many activities that occur at Mason.
Very few of the rooms available have kitchen facilities and it is unlikely that you will have a kitchen in your room. This is typical for US college students who eat their meals in the dining halls. As a direct exchange student you will purchase a university meal plan to be used on campus. A variety of dining options are available from buffets to a la carte dining and national brands (such as Burger King and Taco Bell) to satisfy your hunger. With a diverse student population, Mason Dining Services can accommodate nearly everyone, including vegetarians and those following special diets.
Direct Exchanges are open ONLY to international students from the universities listed above.
Please consult with the study abroad office at your home university to determine your eligibility and application requirements.
You must be at least a in your fourth semester and have the equivalent of a 2.50 cumulative GPA or higher. Non-English speakers must have a minimum TOEFL score of 88 (internet-based test), 230 (computer-based test) or 570 (paper test).
For more information, please download the Application Procedures (78.0 KB) and consult with the study abroad advisor of your university.
Tuition fees paid to your home university. You must pay a $300 administration fee ($500 for year long) to Center for Global Education upon your arrival at Mason. You will pay room and board directly to Mason. Please note that international airfare and personal expenses are not included.
Fall Semester - March 1
Spring Semester - October 1
Center for Global Education must receive all of your application materials from the study abroad office of your university by the dates listed above. Incomplete applications may lead to delays in processing.
Please submit the following application forms to your study abroad or equivalent office of your home university:
The following DOES NOT apply to Aachen students. Students looking to apply to Aachen should see instructions below.
- Application Procedures including housing information (78 KB)
- Center for Global Education - Mason Abroad Application Form (98 KB)
- International Student Information Form
(201 KB) - Course Request Form (77 KB)
- Immunization Record (306 KB)
- Health Insurance Exemption Form (79 KB)
Once Center for Global Education receives your application materials, your application will be assigned to a Program Officer. The Program Officer will process your application and is also available to assist you both before your arrival and once you are at Mason.
For Aachen students ONLY: As Aachen students are applying for a dual degree program through the School of Management at Mason, please follow the directions below to apply directly to University Admissions.
- Go to http://admissions.Mason.edu/onapps.asp
- Click on "Click here to Apply on Line"
- Click on the "First time user account creation" button at the bottom of the page to create a new account and to establish a pin number.
- Complete the application
- Please note that you will need a credit card to pay the application fee.
USEFUL LINKS FOR INCOMING STUDENTS
The following links will give you more information on studying and living at George Mason University.
The Office of Housing and Residential Life
The Office of International Programs and Services
Please contact the study abroad office at your home university for application instructions. You may also contact the Center for Global Education for specific information on our application requirements.
last updated: 3/31/08
