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Admissions

How to Apply to the Higher Education Program

Application requirements include the following:

  • A completed Application for Graduate Study (online)
  • A nonrefundable application fee ($65 credit card payment)
  • Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates if claiming entitlement to these rates
  • Two official transcripts from all previous institutions attended, in a sealed envelope signed by the institution
  • Goals statement
    • For Master’s Students: Goals statement should include your personal qualities and development and how they have influenced your career choice; your reasons for considering this particular degree program in relation to your academic background, professional work experience, and career goals; and your reason for selecting your program at George Mason University.
    • For Doctoral Students: Describe in the goals statement the fields in which you expect to do doctoral study and research; how these interests have been influenced by your prior education, research, or work experience; why you are considering a career in an academic, or research setting; and any information relevant for evaluating your motivation to study and conduct research at the doctoral level.
  • Three letters of recommendation as required by the program, preferably from faculty members or those who can evaluate your academic potential
  • Formal writing sample of at least 1000 words
  • The GRE is required for both the D.A. and Ph.D. programs, and the GRE should have been taken in the last 5 years. 

For the D.A., applicants must have an earned Master’s Degree, and the application goals statement must include the intended knowledge area, plus a general topic for research and the dissertation. The deadline for receipt of all admission materials is March 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. 

For the Ph.D., applicants must have an earned Master’s Degree and three years experience in an educational setting. Students are accepted for fall and spring. The deadline for receipt of all admission materials is February 1 for the fall semester and September 1 for the spring semester. 

Students applying to the Ph.D. program will submit a writing sample of their best academic work.  The application goals statement must include career goals, plus a general topic for research for the dissertation.  Please limit your goals statement to between 750 and 1,000 words.

For the MAIS/Higher Education Concentration and Community College Teaching degrees, and Certificate in Community College Teaching , students are accepted for fall and spring. The deadlines for receipt of all admission materials are March 1 for fall admission and October 15 for spring admission. Late applications will be considered if space is available.

For Extended Studies, non-degree, graduate student status, students may apply online.  Courses taken under this category may be applied to the program, if the student is accepted by the Higher Education Program’s Admissions Committee.  Taking courses as an Extended Studies student does not guarantee entry into the program.

A limited amount of financial aid in the form of GTA positions and fellowships is available to qualified doctoral students at the university. Contact the program for further information.

Instructions for submitting an online application:

Please access the graduate online application.

You will create a user name and password.

Click on Mason Graduate and Graduate Non Degree Application.

You will see the following information regarding the application process:

This page is intended to assist you in completing the application. The left hand navigation section of this page will also guide you through the process.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The Graduate Application – Core (all sections) is required for all applicants.
All items (in all sections) marked with a red asterisk (*) are required for everyone.

PERSONAL DATA
To continue with the application process, please use the left hand navigation and begin with the Personal Data section.

NEXT STEPS
You should move through the application in the order of the left hand navigation area. Once you choose the program to which you are applying, you will have a supplemental area to complete in the Specific Academic Units section. (For instance, if you are applying to the M.A. in History program, you will need to complete the Humanities and Social Science section.)

RESIDENCY/DOMICILE
If you wish to apply and be considered for in-state tuition rates, please complete the Virginia In-State Tuition Application as part of this process. If you choose not to complete these forms, you will be classified as an out-of-state student and tuition will be calculated as such.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER
Only eligible Mason employees and qualifying senior citizens are granted a fee waiver. If you think you may qualify for either of these waivers, please complete the Fee Waiver section of this application.

QUESTIONS
If you have questions while you are completing this application, please call us at masongrad@gmu.edu
or 703-993-9700


 

 

 

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Last Update: October 11, 2011