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Selection criteria differ by program and are established by the faculty of that program. Applicants are evaluated on past academic performance, rigor of the course selection, standardized test scores (if required), letters of recommendation, goals statement, writing sample (if required), professional experience, applicant's "match" with the program, and any additional evidence of potential success. The faculty determines the number of admission offers to extend based on the resources available to the program.
The general university graduate admission standards include the following:
- An earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or international equivalent (both verified through official transcripts)
- A 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale or better in baccalaureate study. The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs. For applicants with post baccalaureate credits, a separate GPA is calculated for each institution. The difficulty of the baccalaureate degree and professional work experience may be considered in assessing the application for admission
Please see the information below for on-campus program application deadlines. To request additional information about your program of interest, please complete the Graduate Program Interest Form.
If you are interested in an online program within the college, please locate your program details here.
Department of Global and Community Health
| Program | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Public Health, PhD (1) | 12/1 | None |
| Public Health, MPH (1, 2, 3) | 3/1 | 12/1 |
| Global Health, MS (1, 4) | 3/1 | None |
| Public Health Graduate Certificate (1) | 3/1 | 11/1 |
| Epidemiology Graduate Certificate (1) | 3/1 | None |
| Global Health Graduate Certificate (1) | 3/1 | None |
(1) For non-accelerated MPH, the MS, PhD, and Certificate programs, apply using SOPHAS.
(2) Current Mason students interested in the bachelors to accelerated masters (BAM) MPH program may apply at any date after they complete 60 credits. Current undergraduate students may continue to apply as long as they have at least one or more terms left to transition.
(3) Only the online MPH with a Public Health Practice concentration is available for spring admission.
(3) The priority deadline for the MS in Global Health is 3/1, with a final deadline of 4/1.
Visit the Department of Global and Community Health Graduate Admissions page for more information about application requirements.
Department of Health Administration and Policy
| Program | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Health Services Research, PhD | 4/1 | None |
| Health Informatics, MS | 4/1 | 11/1 |
| Health Systems Management, MHA | 4/1 | 11/1 |
| Health Informatics and Data Analytics Graduate Certificate | 4/1 | 11/1 |
| Healthcare Quality Graduate Certificate | 4/1 | 11/1 |
Admissions Standards and Application Materials
Health Services Research, PhD
Additional Admissions Standards:
Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include professional and volunteer experience and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the doctoral level.
Graduate courses in statistics, economics, health systems and public health, health policy, and health informatics are recommended as preparation for the curriculum in the PhD in health services research program.
Students applying to the PhD program must hold a master’s degree or equivalent.
Students with MDs, JDs, or prior PhDs may also apply.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee.
- Resume or CV - The curriculum vitae or resume should include an up-to-date employment history, list of publications, awards, grants submitted and grants received to date by the applicant.
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
- Please complete the PhD in Health Services Research Department Form (docx) and upload with your graduate application.
Health Informatics, MS
Additional Admissions Standards:
A minimum GPA of 3.25 is preferred. Preferred applicants should have a background in information technology or health care; however, the background is not required to be admitted and succeed in the program. Students planning to change their careers are encouraged to contact an informatics advisor to discuss the program and its requirements. For these students it is also particularly important to describe in the goals statement how they envision themselves in the informatics field.
Application Materials:
- Application
- On-Campus Program - George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Online Program - Complete the Online Informatics, MS Program Application
- Resume
- Transcripts - For all degrees obtained outside the U.S., transcripts must be evaluated. View the international transcript submission guidelines for application to Mason graduate programs.
- Official test scores demonstrating English proficiency, if required.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
Health Systems Management, MHA
Additional Admissions Standards:
Work experience in the healthcare industry is preferred, but not required for admission. The GRE or GMAT is not required for admission to the program.
Application Materials:
- On-Campus Program - George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application. Visit the MHA Admissions page for additional instructions.
- Online Program - Complete the Online MHA Program Application
Health Informatics and Data Analytics Graduate Certificate
Additional Admissions Standards:
If you are currently a graduate student enrolled in a degree program within the College of Public Health, fill out a one-page application form to add a certificate as a secondary program of study. Please review Mason’s requirements for graduate certificates and then contact the Department Manager at hap@gmu.edu or 703-993-1929 to obtain a copy of the application form.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- No Letters of Recommendation required
- Expanded Goals Statement
Healthcare Quality Graduate Certificate
Additional Admissions Standards:
If you are currently a graduate student enrolled in a degree program within the College of Public Health, fill out a one-page application form to add a certificate as a secondary program of study. Please review Mason’s requirements for graduate certificates and then contact the Department Manager at hap@gmu.edu or 703-993-1929 to obtain a copy of the application form.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- No Letters of Recommendation required
- Expanded Goals Statement
School of Nursing
| Program | Fall Deadline | Spring Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate (1) | 4/1 | None |
| Nursing Education Graduate Certificate | 4/1 | None |
| Nursing, DNP, BSN to DNP Pathway (1) | 7/1 | 11/1 |
| Nursing, DNP, MSN to DNP Pathway (1) | 7/1 | 11/1 |
| Nursing, MSN (1) (On-campus program) |
7/1 | None |
| Nursing, PhD | 7/1 | None |
(1) The deadline for Fall 2024 applications has been extended to July 1, 2024.
Visit the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions page for more information about application requirements.
Admissions Standards and Application Materials
Nursing, DNP, BSN to DNP Pathway
Additional Admissions Standards:
Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include on-site interview (if required), the GRE (if requested), professional and/or volunteer experience, and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level.
Applicants must be licensed registered nurses in the U.S. with a minimum of one year of experience as an RN prior to admission. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better within the last five years.
Applicants to the BSN to DNP program must hold a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 3.0 GPA and a strong record in science and nursing coursework.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores (if requested)
- Expanded Goals Statement
- Copy of your current, active RN license
- Copy of your active nursing certifications, if applicable
- An interview may be requested
Nursing, DNP, MSN to DNP Pathway
Additional Admissions Standards:
Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include on-site interview (if required), the GRE (if requested), professional and/or volunteer experience, and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level.
Applicants must be licensed registered nurses in the U.S. with a minimum of one year of experience as an RN prior to admission. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better within the last five years.
Applicants to the MSN to DNP program must hold an MSN degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or better in their graduate program and show evidence they have met coursework requirements consistent with Mason’s MSN core curriculum. Applicants must show proof of MSN precepted practice hours (pdf).
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores (if requested)
- Expanded Goals Statement
- Copy of your current, active RN license
- Copy of your active nursing certifications, if applicable
- An interview may be requested
- Complete and upload the Verification of Precepted Master's Degree Clinical Hours (pdf). BSN to DNP applicants do not need this form.
Nursing, PhD
Additional Admissions Standards:
Applicants for admission to the PhD program will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- A master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program equivalent to 30 semester hours of credit, or a master’s degree in a related health field with a baccalaureate degree in nursing;
- Evidence of one year of experience as an RN prior to enrollment;
- Evidence of current licensure to practice professional nursing (waivers for international applicants will be determined by the assistant dean for doctoral programs);
- An interview with one or more persons on the Doctoral Admissions Committee;
- Research interests match or complement faculty research;
- A writing sample describing goals in pursuing a PhD in Nursing;
- Professional and/or volunteer experience;
- Evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level; and
- Evidence of a prerequisite graduate-level course in applied statistics (past two years).
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
- Copy of your current, active RN license
- Copy of your active nursing certifications, if applicable
- An interview may be requested
Nursing, MSN
Additional Admissions Standards:
Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include professional and/or volunteer experience and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level.
All MSN Programs require the following:
- BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Active state-based/U.S. license as a registered nurse (RN)
- A current CPR card
- Work experience as an RN
- Completion of an undergraduate statistics course
The Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration is available in an on-campus format or a fully online coursework format with in-person practicum experiences.
Learn more about the fully online coursework format. Admissions standards for the online program are the same as those for the on-campus program. The admissions process, deadlines, and contact information are different. Request additional information for the online program.
The Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration has the following additional requirements:
- GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Successful completion of an undergraduate health assessment course
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE), only upon request
- A minimum of one year of work experience as a nurse
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores (if requested)
- Expanded Goals Statement
- Copy of your current, active RN license
- Copy of your active nursing certifications, if applicable
- An interview may be requested
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
Additional Admissions Standards:
Applicants must hold a master's degree in nursing and meet the admission standards and application requirements specified by the University, the College of Public Health, and the School of Nursing and apply using the online application for graduate admission. The application process is competitive.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
Nursing Education Graduate Certificate
Additional Admissions Standards
Applicants must hold a master's degree in nursing and meet the admission standards and application requirements specified by the University, the College of Public Health, and the School of Nursing and apply using the online application for graduate admission. The application process is competitive.
Application Materials
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
Department of Nutrition and Food Studies
| Program | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition Graduate Certificate | 4/1 | 11/1 |
| Nutrition, MS (1) | 4/1 | 11/1 |
(1) Visit the Department of Nutrition MS in Nutrition, Dietetics concentration page for additional admission and pre-requisite information.
Admissions Standards and Application Materials
Nutrition, MS
Additional Admissions Standards:
Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include professional and/or volunteer experience and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
Nutrition Graduate Certificate
Additional Admissions Standards:
Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include professional and/or volunteer experience and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level. Students must choose one of the following concentrations: Food Security or Community Nutrition.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
Department of Social Work
| Program | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work, MSW | 1/15 | None |
| Social Work, MSW and Conflict Analysis, MS Dual Degree | 1/15 | None |
| Gerontology Graduate Certificate (1) | 4/1 | 11/1 |
(1) Applications are not currently being accepted for the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.
Visit the Department of Social Work page for more information about application requirements.
Admissions Standards and Application Materials
Social Work, MSW
Additional Admissions Standards:
In addition to holding an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, applicants must have a minimum of 30 undergraduate credits in the liberal arts to include at least 3 credits in each of the following: English composition, history or government, social sciences, and statistics.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
For Advanced Standing applicants only
- Minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.0 scale)
- BSW Field Evaluation Form (pdf)
- Advanced Standing Recommendation
Note: Be sure to check the MSW Advanced Standing Recommendation box on the Recommendation form in the online application.
Social Work, MSW and Conflict Analysis and Resolution, MS Dual Degree
Additional Admissions Standards:
In addition to holding an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, applicants must have a minimum of 30 undergraduate credits in the liberal arts to include at least 3 credits in each of the following: English composition, history or government, social sciences, and statistics.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement
Applicants should communicate their interest in completing the dual degree program in the online application, in their essays, and recommendations should address the dual degree program interest. Students must be admitted to both programs in the same semester (fall only) to be admitted to the dual-degree program.
Gerontology Graduate Certificate
Additional Admissions Standards:
Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include professional and/or volunteer experience and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level.
Application Materials:
- George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Expanded Goals Statement