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Return to: Admissions
Office of Admissions
4400 University Drive, MS 3A4
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-993-2400
Fax: 703-993-4622
Web: admissions.gmu.edu
Non-degree Status
Non-degree status enables visiting students from other institutions who have no degree objective or those seeking personal enrichment to enroll in courses for which they are qualified without seeking formal admission to a degree program. Enrollment in specific courses is based on eligibility criteria and availability of space in courses. Registration priority is given to degree-seeking students. Academic departments may restrict or prohibit non-degree enrollment in some courses. Admitted and enrolled non-degree students are responsible for the same policies and procedures that apply to degree-seeking students, including the University Honor Code and the Code of Student Conduct.
George Mason University enrolls non-degree students in three categories: High-School Guest Matriculants, Undergraduate Non-degree students and Graduate Non-degree students. All Non-degree applicants must complete the online application for admission and supply all official supporting documentation as requested by the Office of Admissions.
Non-degree application information and deadlines are available online at admissions.gmu.edu.
Students are responsible for registering properly and paying by the deadline. Students should confirm the correctness of their enrollments (including drop and add) via Patriot Web. Incorrect enrollments may result in academic and financial penalties.
High School Guest Matriculants
Exceptionally talented high school juniors and seniors may be considered for dual enrollment in lower-level (100-299) undergraduate courses. These applicants will be evaluated based on their academic performance in high school. Only students who have excelled in high school and demonstrate the preparation and maturity indicative of the potential to succeed in Mason’s competitive course work will be admitted. Mason cannot guarantee that courses will fulfill high school graduation requirements or that courses taken while the student is a high school guest will transfer to other institutions. High school dual enrollment students may enroll for one course each semester or in Summer Term C. An official high school and written permission of the high school counselor is required for admission consideration. Non-native speakers of English are required to meet the University minimum TOEFL/IELTS requirement. The Admissions Committee may ask for other supporting documentation such as test scores or transcripts from other dual enrollment credit.
Select high school students may be invited to participate in one of several partnership programs offered through George Mason University. Students enrolled in Guest Matriculant Special Programs have unique admissions and enrollment requirements set forth by the University. Only students that meet these requirements and agree to the University Honor Code will be admitted. Mason cannot guarantee that non-degree credit awarded will fulfill requirements at other institutions.
Undergraduate Non-degree
Visiting undergraduate students from other colleges or universities or community members who have completed one academic year of course work at a regionally accredited institution may be considered for Undergraduate Non-degree admission. Students who intend to transfer to Mason to earn a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for Non-degree study. To be considered for admission, Non-degree Undergraduate applicants must present a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average and be eligible to return to all previous institutions attended. Non-native speakers of English are required to meet the University minimum TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Students who are actively suspended or dismissed will not be offered admission. Admission is offered for one semester and students may enroll in a maximum of 10 undergraduate (100-499) credits. Admitted Non-degree Undergraduate students are assessed undergraduate tuition rates. Non-degree students are ineligible for financial aid. Additional non-degree study beyond the first semester requires a new application and admission review. Non-degree Undergraduate students are expected to maintain a 2.00 or better Mason GPA and are subject to the AP.5 Undergraduate Policies section of this catalog.
Graduate Non-degree
Current graduate students visiting from other colleges or universities or community members who hold a conferred baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may be considered for Graduate Non-degree admission. The minimum standard for Graduate Non-degree admission is a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on the baccalaureate record. Non-native speakers of English are required to meet the University minimum TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Official TOEFL/IELTS scores must be received directly from the testing agency. One official transcript from all institutions previously attended is required. For more information on how to submit transcripts, visit admissions.gmu.edu/grad/applynow/. Applicants who present Ministry of Education recognized international transcripts are also required to provide an official NACES approved course-by-course credential evaluation.
Students may enroll in a maximum of 10 undergraduate or graduate (100-799) credits per semester. Admitted Non-degree Graduate students are assessed graduate tuition rates for all (100-799) courses. Non-degree Graduate students are ineligible for financial aid. Meeting the minimum standard for Graduate Non-degree study neither guarantees admission nor implies future admission to a degree-seeking program. Among the factors that may be considered in the admissions process are previous academic performance, professional experience and academic fit.
Non-degree Graduate students are expected to maintain a 3.00 or better Mason GPA and are subject to the AP.6 Graduate Policies section of this catalog.
Mason welcomes applications from Virginia’s senior citizens. Under the terms of the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, eligible Virginia residents, 60 years or older with a taxable income of less than $15,000 may apply to take university courses for credit in either degree or non-degree seeking status without paying tuition. Admitted senior citizens may register to audit courses regardless of income level.
All application and admission requirements and deadlines apply to Senior Citizen Enrollment. The University waives the application fee for seniors enrolling under the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974. The application fee waiver must be requested by the applicant before online application submission.
Academic Advising
Non-degree Undergraduate students may seek academic advising from the Office of Academic Advising, Retention and Transitions. Graduate Non-degree students may seek academic advising from the academic department offering their course(s) of interest.
Grades earned through non-degree studies remain a part of the student’s permanent non-degree record and are recorded on the university non-degree transcript. They will not appear on the degree transcript unless the student is accepted to a degree program and permission is given by the dean to apply the non-degree credit to the degree program. A maximum of 30 undergraduate credits taken in non-degree status may apply to an undergraduate degree program if approved by the relevant program dean.
International students holding F or J visas are typically not admitted in non-degree status. Exceptions exist for those students enrolled in either the Undergraduate International Pathways Program , Graduate International Pathways Program or Academic English Program or those who attend George Mason University pursuant to the terms of an exchange agreement or memorandum of understanding between Mason and their home university.
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