Students enrolled at George Mason University are expected to complete their coursework in residence. Exceptions to this policy are rare and are considered only under extraordinary circumstances and on a case-by-case basis. CHSS and COS students must obtain advance, written approval from the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office before enrolling in classes elsewhere. CHSS and COS feel very strongly that a degree from George Mason should reflect coursework from the university, so this policy is strictly followed.

In order to have an exception considered, students must have completed the immediately preceding semester with a GPA of 2.000 or higher and not be in danger of academic suspension or dismissal. Freshmen and new transfer students are not allowed to take courses elsewhere as they have yet to establish an academic record at George Mason. Since transfer students may have already transferred a number of hours, they are expected to plan all remaining courses in residence.

Requests to take classes through Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC or NOVA) can seldom be approved. NVCC is a two-year community college, and it is therefore not a member of the Consortium of Universities. Courses offered at Consortium Universities must be reviewed by the Consortium Coodinator (3 N. Chesapeake Module) in advance and will not be considered for general study elsewhere review.

Reasons NOT considered for courses elsewhere include – but are not limited to – the following:

If their permanent home of record is over 50 miles away from the Fairfax campus, CHSS and COS students may request permission to enroll part-time at an accredited institution near their home during the summer semester. This special permission does not extend into regularly scheduled fall and spring semesters.

Courses elsewhere that have been pre-approved by our office must be taken for a grade and be passed with a GPA of 2.000 (on a 4.000 scale) or higher in order to be transferred to George Mason. Although credit for the course can be transferred, the grade for the course cannot.

Students must make arrangements with the visited institution to have an official transcript mailed directly to the George Mason University Registrar's Office, Records Section, MSN 3D1, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 immediately after the course work is completed. Credit cannot be transferred until an official transcript is received. Non-receipt of official transcripts within six weeks of conferral date will delay a student's pending graduation.