Graduate Admission Policies

• Introduction
• Provisional Admission
• Graduate Applications
• Requesting a Printed Application
• Graduate Admissions Processing Centers
• Graduate Admission Process
• Graduate Admission Examinations
• Foreign Language Requirements
• Admission of International Students
• Admission of Graduate Degree Holders
• Offer of Admission
• Reactivation of Deferred Applications
• Records Maintenance and Disposal
• Permission to Re-enroll in Graduate Study
• Change in Field of Graduate Study
• Beginning Graduate Study during Summer Term

The general university graduate admission requirements are as follows:

1. A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education. An exception to this requirement requires the college/school/institute dean's or director's approval.

2. A 3.000 GPA (on a 4.000 scale) or better in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study. (For students with postbaccalaureate credits, a separate GPA is calculated for each institution.)

3. Undergraduate preparation for the chosen field of graduate study or appropriate experience in that field.

4. Standardized test scores and letters of recommendation as required by each program.

Specific departmental admission requirements for degree students are listed in this catalog under the relevant discipline, as well as in the Application for Graduate Study.

Provisional Admission

A 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.

Graduate Applications

Internet Applications

Graduate applications are available on the Internet:

School of Management (available on the web only): www.som.gmu.edu/mba/application.html

School of Law: www.law.gmu.edu

All other graduate programs: www.admissions.gmu.edu

Requesting a Printed Application

To request an application for the Graduate School of Education or the School of Law, contact the appropriate Graduate Admissions Processing Center listed below. For all other graduate programs, request an Application for Graduate Study by contacting 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.

Graduate Admissions Processing Centers

Graduate 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 university Graduate Admissions Processing Centers with contact information. One may check on the status of a graduate application by calling 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.

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
College Hall, Room 119, MS 2D2
(703) 993-3699, fax: (703) 993-8714

College of Nursing and Health Science
Robinson Hall, Room A380, MS 5A8
(703) 993-4636, fax: (703) 993-3606

School of Computational Sciences
(Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics; M.S. in New Professional Studies: Bioinformatics; New Professional Studies: Biotechnology; New Professional Studies: Forensic Biosciences)
Science and Technology I, Room 103, MS 5C3
(703) 993-1990, fax: (703) 993-1993

Graduate School of Education (GSE)
Robinson Hall, Room A308, MS 4D1
(703) 993-2144, fax: (703) 993-2082

School of Information Technology and Engineering (IT&E)
Science and Technology II, Room 160, MS 3D5
(703) 993-1505, fax: (703) 993-1633

School of Law
3401 North Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201-4498
(703) 993-8000, fax: (703) 993-8088

School of Management
Enterprise Hall, Lower Level, Room 038, MS 5A2
(703) 993-2136, fax: (703) 993-1886

School of Public Policy
(Ph.D. in Public Policy; M.A. in International Commerce and Policy; M.S. in New Professional Studies: Organizational Learning; New Professional Studies: Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics)
Robinson Hall, Room A380, MS 5A8
(703) 993-4636; fax: (703) 993-3606

Institute of the Arts
(M.F.A. in Dance; M.A., M.F.A. in Visual Information Technologies)
Robinson Hall, Room A380, MS 5A8
(703) 993-4636; fax: (703) 993-3606

Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
(M.S., Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution)
Robinson Hall, Room A380, MS 5A8
(703) 993-4636, fax: (703) 993-3606

Initiatives for Educational Transformation
(M.A. in New Professional Studies: Teaching*)
Initiatives for Educational Transformation, MS 4E4
10900 University Blvd., Suite 217
Manassas, VA 20110-2203
(703) 993-8320, fax (703) 993-8360

* This program requires special permission. Please contact the program administration at the number listed above.

Graduate Admission Process

As a part of the application process, an applicant seeking admission to a graduate program must submit the following:

1. An application form

2. Two official copies of transcripts from each institution attended

3. An application fee (nonrefundable)

4. An Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates (Virginia domicile classification form)

5. Official examination scores (GRE, GMAT, etc.) reported directly from the Educational Testing Service as required by certain departments (refer to Graduate Program Chart in Application for Graduate Study)

6. Letters of recommendation and departmental forms as required by departments

7. For international applicants (J-1 and F-I visas), the International Student Information form and certified bank statement showing first-year funds are available

8. For non-native English-speaking applicants, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 575 on the paper examination, or a 230 on the computer-based TOEFL.

Although 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 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. 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.

The Miller Analogies Test is a test of 100 analogies and may be a substitute for the GRE in some graduate programs. The George Mason University Testing Center in the Office of Admissions 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 numbers: GRE: (800) 473-2255; GMAT: (800) 462-8669; TOEFL: (800) 468-6335; or the Praxis Series: (800) 853-6773. 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. For information regarding the tests given by the Testing Center, call (703) 993-2390.

Foreign Language Requirements

Certain 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 Students

1. Students must meet all requirements and regulations of the university and their school or department.

2. Students must submit along with the application official international transcripts translated and evaluated by an accredited evaluation service certifying their previous education. Graduate applicants' 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 accepted for evaluation.

3. Students must have completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have attained a score of 575 or higher on the paper exam (230 on the computer-based exam) with a 4.5 on the Test of Written English. A TOEFL score of at least 600 on the paper-based exam (250 on the computer-based exam) is required of teaching and research assistants. Information concerning the time and place of the TOEFL can be obtained from TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541 (www.toefl.org), or through the George Mason Testing Center.

4. Students already in J-1 or F-1 status, or those who wish to enter the United States on F-1 or J-1 visas, must submit the International Student Information form along with original bank statements showing that funding is available for the first year of study. Students should be prepared to demonstrate support for the duration of their study. Sponsors who wish to be billed directly must have a U.S. billing address.

5. After applicants receive a written offer of admission, the Office of International Programs and Services will review financial support documents. If documentation is satisfactory, an immigration document will be mailed to the applicant. International students outside the United States must obtain the appropriate F-1 or J-1 visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, and enter the United States in that status. Students already in the United States studying at another institution must follow procedures for an immigration transfer to George Mason University. Students 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).

6. The U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations governing nonimmigrant F-1 students and U.S. Department of State/Exchange Visitor Program regulations regarding J-1 students require that international students in this category pursue a full course of study (nine credits for graduate students) to maintain nonimmigrant student status. Part-time degree programs and provisional admission are therefore not available to students in F-1 or J-1 status.

7. All students in J-1 or F-1 status will be automatically billed for the mandatory health insurance plan for international students. A waiver may be obtained by presenting proof of alternate insurance coverage to the student health insurance representative at the start of the semester.

8. Students in valid nonimmigrant status other than F-1/J-1 should contact the Office of International Programs and Services at (703) 993-2970 with questions pertaining to their status, and their ability to study.

9. International students must meet and conform to all current regulations of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

An 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 Admission

The 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.

Reactivation of Deferred Applications

Applicants 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.

Records Maintenance and Disposal

All 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).

Permission to Re-enroll in Graduate Study

Permission to re-enroll in a program must be obtained by all doctoral students who have failed to enroll in at least one credit of course work for two or more consecutive semesters at George Mason University and by all master's students who have failed to enroll in at least one credit of course work for two or more consecutive semesters at George Mason University. Permission is obtained from the department. Forms are available from the Office of the Registrar, (703) 993-2441.

Change in Field of Graduate Study

Admission for graduate study is admission to a specific department. 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 fee for admission. Previous acceptance into one graduate program does not guarantee acceptance into another.

Beginning Graduate Study during Summer Term

Applicants 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.