Accelerated Master's

Are you a highly-qualified Mason undergraduate? Academically strong Mason undergraduates with a commitment to research or graduate or professional studies can apply for an accelerated Master’s program and earn a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in five years.

The university offers a number of Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Programs. Applicants receive a waiver of the graduate application fee and admitted students may obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree after satisfactory completion of 138 credits (number of required credits depends on the graduate program).

How to Apply Guide

We’ve put together this guide to help you know what is required, how to submit your application, and avoid mistakes that may delay the consideration of your application. Please make sure you also read over our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for more specifics.

Remember that if you have questions at any time, the Office of Graduate Admissions is here to help guide you through this exciting process. 

Indicate Your Interest (Prior to Application)

  1. Review the university catalog’s Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's program guidelines for more information about the programs that we offer.
  2. When you have selected a program that interests you, be sure to indicate your interest by completing the online Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Interest Form.
  3. Upon submission of your form, your file will be updated to show your interest in your selected program, and that information will be shared with the coordinating academic unit. 
  4. Make sure you review your program deadlines and requirements to ensure that you are on track to apply.

Complete the Online Application

  1. When you have earned 60 credit hours  you may apply as a potential Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's student. Be sure that you have reviewed the deadlines and requirements for your program, keeping in mind that some programs have specific requirements for their applicants.
  2. Complete the Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Online Application ONLY if you meet the requirements, including having earned AT LEAST 60 credits.  Your application will be automatically cancelled if you do not meet these requirements.
  3. Completed and submit your application to the best of your ability. Save often as you are filling out the application.
  4. Once submitted online the Office of Graduate Admissions will review your application for all required materials. When your application is complete, meaning all supplemental materials are received, your application will be sent to the appropriate graduate program faculty to approve your participation in the Accelerated Master’s program. 

Please note that you MUST have at least 60 credits in order for your application to be processed and forwarded to the faculty for review. Some programs have additional requirements, such as specific GPA requirements, or require additional documentation, such as Letters of Recommendation or Writing Samples.  

After Applying

Your patience is appreciated  while the Office of Admissions processes your application, and our graduate faculty review your file.

Please allow a total of at least 4 - 6 weeks before following up on the admissions status of your application and remember you can check your status in your Application Portal.  You will have access to this as soon as you start your application.

If your decision has not been released after the 4 - 6 week processing and decision making period, questions about your application may be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions at masongrad@gmu.edu. Remember, decisions will only be released to your Application Portal

Notification and Registration

When a decision has been made you will be notified via email of your admissions decision. Be sure to check your e-mail regularly to ensure you receive a timely decision.  

When registration begins, approved participants will be able to register for graduate courses via Mason's Patriot Web. Participants who were previously listed under Junior or Senior status in Patriot Web, will be listed as ‘Senior Plus' after they have earned 75 credits.

Please note that approval of specific courses on the application does not guarantee that a specific course section will be open or offered at the time of registration.

Academic Policies

Approval to the Accelerated Master's program only guarantees admission to a degree program at a later date IF the student maintains the required GPA outlined in the university catalog, and follows all of the policy requirements listed below.

Students admitted to the Accelerated Master’s program are required to complete a minimum of three graduate credits for advanced standing while in the program, otherwise they will not be able to transition and will be required to apply using the standard graduate application.

The courses taken must be the ones approved on your application or listed in the appropriate University Catalog section related to Bachelors/Accelerated Master's Programs.

You must show satisfactory performance in the approved graduate courses taken while in undergraduate status.

You must maintain the minimum GPA indicated by the University Catalog section related to your program.

How to Apply to Transition to Your Master’s Program

In order to transition from a Senior-Plus Accelerated Master’s student to a Master’s student, you must complete and submit the Bachelors/Accelerated Master's Transition Form by the last day to add classes of your final semester of your undergraduate program.  

To complete and submit the form:

  1. Fill out your advanced standing and reserve graduate credit hours (if applicable); Sign your form;
  2. Get the signature of your undergraduate advisor;
  3. Get the signature of your graduate advisor;
  4. Give the form to your Graduate program’s Assistant or Associate Dean’s Office;
  5. Your Graduate program’s Assistant or Associate Dean’s Office will send the completed form to the Office of Admissions on your behalf.   

Upon submission of your approved form, the Office of Graduate Admissions will review and confirm that all signatures have been obtained before adding the final signature.

Optional:

Your tuition and domicile status carry over to your Master's program. If you wish to apply for in-state tuition, you will need to complete a Domicile application through the online application system.

Receiving Master’s Program Admission Decision

If, upon submission of your BS-MS Transition form, you are deemed to have met all necessary requirements, you will receive an offer of admission to your approved Master’s Program, as well as be given advanced standing. This means that your graduate credits have been earned and will later be applied to your Master’s program.

If you have not met all necessary requirements, you will receive notification that your BS-MS transition has not been approved.

After transition, regardless of advanced standing, you will be assessed graduate tuition and will be subject to all graduate academic policies as detailed in the University Catalog.

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in graduate studies at Mason! We are always here to help with your questions.

Email: masongrad@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-9700
Fax: 703-993-2392
Office Location: 213 Johnson Center (2nd Floor)
Mailing Address:
Office of Graduate Admissions
4400 University Drive, MSN 4C8
Fairfax, Virginia 22030