Non-Mason Programs

Please note the following application deadlines
for non-Mason programs:

Winter break and Spring semester: December 1
Summer break and Fall semester: April 15

Handbook for Students studying abroad on Non-Mason Programs - complete with instructions and a sample Petition form!

Information for Faculty regarding signing Petition for Transfer of Credits forms

Materials to submit to Center for Global Education:

• Online Application and Administrative Fee
• Copy of the Host University Acceptance Letter
  and proof of accreditation
• Mason transcript (printed off patriotweb)
• Petition for Transfer of Credits Form
  (aka Green Form)
• Official transcript from study abroad program (upon return to Mason)

PROCEDURES FOR NON-MASON STUDY
ABROAD PROGRAMS

1. Choose your destination:

Research and select your accredited** host university or college and follow its application procedures. To determine whether an university or college is accredited, contact your Program Officer at Center for Global Education who will refer to the Admissions INBanner database.

Center for Global Education's resource library contains some resources for study abroad and many more can be found in the library and online.

Accreditation: Students who participate in a program sponsored by a program provider that is not in Mason's current List of Study Abroad Programs database will not be able to transfer credit.

Accredited program courses are taught by faculty hired by an accredited institution. The official transcript must be issued by an accredited university or college and sent directly to the Center for Global Education on letterhead.

2. Make an appointment with your Program Officer

Review application and transfer of credits (aka green form) procedures with your program officer. Keep in mind that undergraduate students:

• Must have 45 credits to be eligible
• Be a FULL-TIME STUDENT CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
• Have a 2.25 GPA or above for a short-term program and a 2.5 GPA for a semester or year-long programNote: GPA is a general guideline for Mason. Please check the guidelines of the host school to which you apply for GPA requirements
• Students must be in good academic standing with the university, i.e. not on academic probation.
• Please note the following GMU application deadlines for non-Mason programs:
  Winter break & Spring semester: Dec 1
  Summer break & Fall semester: April 15
  Applications received after these deadlines will not be processed by Mason.

3. Consult with your Mason academic advisor

• With your advisor, determine which courses you must take to fulfill your degree requirements and whether these courses can be taken overseas for Mason transfer credits.
• The form also needs to be signed by your Department Chair, Center for Global Education Program Officer and the Associate Dean of your particular college within Mason.
• Course pre-approvals do not need to be confirmed until after you have been accepted into the program.

4. Apply directly to the program you are interested in

Contact the institution sponsoring your study abroad program of interest and ask them to send you their application material. Once you receive it, fill it out and send it back to them by their application deadline. If you need something signed by your study abroad advisor, contact your Program Officer at Center for Global Education immediately.

5. For applicants using financial aid:

Make sure you notify your Financial Aid Counselor that you will be participating in a Non-Mason study abroad program and fill out the required Financial Aid paperwork. You can contact your host program for a cost breakdown to take to your Financial Aid counselor.

AFTER ACCEPTANCE INTO THE
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

6. Submit an online application to the Center for Global Education.

When asked which program you are applying for, indicate the semester and "Non-Mason Program" from the drop-down menu. (i.e., Fall 2007 = FA07 Non-Mason Program)

Pay the non-refundable administrative fee via VISA/MasterCard on the online application:

• $500 for an academic year
• $300 for a semester program
• $175 for summer or winter short-term programs earning up to 6 credits

7. Turn in a copy of your program acceptance letter and your Mason transcript to Center for Global Education.

8. Complete your Petition for Transfer of Credits Form

You will receive this during your meeting with your Program Officer at Center for Global Education. Once completed submit it to the Center for Global Education for processing. This will be used to register you through Mason for the semester(s) you will be abroad.

9. Remain in touch with your Program Officer by email once you arrive overseas

10. At the end of your program, make sure your study abroad transcript gets sent directly to the Center for Global Education at Mason in order to complete your transfer of credits. Do NOT have your transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar!

*If you take any classes that were not approved on your Petition for Transfer of Credits Form, you are not guaranteed transfer of these credits.

**The Center for Global Education, the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Admissions have the FINAL AUTHORITY in determining whether or not a program is accredited.

TRANSFER OF CREDITS WILL NOT BE
HONORED RETROACTIVELY!

For more information, contact Erin Mateu

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