Graduate Admissions

The Costello College of Business at George Mason University offers a variety of graduate programs that help students stand out in today's job market while fulfilling their educational and professional aspirations. 

Thank you for choosing to apply for graduate studies in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. In order to be successful in the application process, it is important that you follow the steps below and submit all required supporting documents. 

The College of Business takes a holistic approach to admissions. No portion of the applicant's portfolio is weighted more than another; the admissions committee considers the entire application to ensure that they have a complete profile of a candidate’s professional and academic qualifications.

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Where to Start

Each of our graduate programs has specific eligibility and application requirements in addition to the university's general admissions requirements. For more detailed information, review your specific program's requirements below. Some items take several weeks or even months to complete, so it's best to look ahead to help you plan out your application.

Program-Specific Application Requirements 

MBA Program

Eligibility Requirements  

  • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
  • A minimum of two years of full-time professional experience. 

Recommended Prerequisite

  • Successful completion of a calculus, algebra, or statistics class is recommended, not required to be eligible to enroll in the MBA program.

Fall Deadlines (In-Person and Online):

  • Priority: February 1 
  • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
  • Final: August 1

Spring Deadline (In-Person and Online):

  • Priority: September 15
  • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
  • Final: December 15

Summer Deadline (Online):

  • May 1 

Application Link & Fee:

College Transcripts

  • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

Goals Statement:

  • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University Costello College of Business MBA program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

Two Professional Letters of Recommendation:

  • Your recommenders should be professional and current or recent (last five years) in nature. Professional recommendations examples include co-workers, supervisors, team leads, direct reports, vendors, customers, etc.
  • The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

Current Resume

Optional Requirement:

  • GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment Scores The MBA is test-optional—however, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.

Certificate Pathway

  • Applicants who have successfully completed at least two courses in Business Analytics, Government Contract Management, Human Capital and HR Management, or Information Security Management Graduate Certificates with grades of B or better in all courses completed will have the application fee, goals statement, and letters of recommendation requirements waived.

Learn more about the MBA program here.

Master of Science in Accounting

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must have at a minimum, a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent. Furthermore, you must either be an accounting major or have completed specific coursework in accounting, including 6 credits in Principles of Accounting, 6 credits in Intermediate Financial Accounting, 3 credits in Managerial/Cost Accounting, 3 credits in Audit, 3 credits in Tax, and 3 credits in Accounting Analytics. Non-accounting majors should refer to the NVCC pathway provided below to complete the required accounting coursework.

Fall Deadlines:

  • Priority: February 1 
  • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
  • Final: August 1

Application Link & Fee

Traditional Pathway

Admission Requirements

  • College Transcript Requirement:  We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.
  • Goals Statement: Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University Costello College of Business MS in accounting program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 
  • Two Professional Letters of Recommendation: The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.
  • Current Resume
  • Optional Requirement: 
    • GMAT or GRE Scores: The MSA is test-optional—however, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.
    • Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program Essay: To be considered for the DFASP scholarship, please address the following question: What makes you a strong candidate for the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program? In your response, include the scholarship's eligibility criteria; your commitment to pursuing a CPA and your demonstrated appreciation of challenges faced by members of demographic groups that are disproportionately under-represented in the field of public accountancy in comparison to the general population. Must apply by the Feb 1st priority deadline for consideration.

    Accounting Advisory Council Pathway

    For applicants who have had an internship, have an internship offer, and/or are currently employed with any of the following Accounting Advisory Council organizations

    • Application Requirements

      • Unofficial Transcript
      • Current Resume
      • Internship/Employment Offer Letter: Instead of submitting two letters of recommendation, you will submit your internship offer letter or a letter of support from the accounting organization with which you are aligned. Please upload an offer letter where it asks "Please upload your internship offer letter". 
    • Waived Application Requirements
      • Letters of Recommendation 
      • Goals Statement: Waived with this admissions pathway.

    Certificate Pathway

    • Applicants who have successfully completed at least two courses in the Accounting Analytics, Forensic Accounting, Government Accounting, or Accounting for Government Contracts Graduate Certificates with grades of B or better in all courses completed will have the application fee, goals statement, and letters of recommendation requirements waived.

    Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Pathway

    • This pathway is tailored for individuals with non-accounting bachelor's degrees who need additional coursework to meet the eligibility requirements (mentioned above) for the Master of Science in Accounting at George Mason University. It allows students to complete pre-approved accounting courses offered at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) to fulfill the necessary course requirements for admission. For more information about the NVCC pathway, please contact the College of Business Graduate Admissions team at sbusgrad@gmu.edu.

    Learn more about the MS in accounting program here.

    Master of Science in Business Analytics

    Eligibility Requirements:

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Goals Statement:

    • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University Costello College of Business MS in Business Analytics program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

    One Professional Letter of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for your recommender. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommender via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

    Current Resume

    GMAT or GRE Scores:

    • GMAT or GRE Score The MSBA is test-optional—however, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.

    Certificate Pathway

    • Applicants who have successfully completed at least two courses in the Business Analytics Graduate Certificate with grades of B or better in all courses completed will have the application fee, goals statement, and letters of recommendation requirements waived.

    Learn more about the MS in business analytics program here.

    Master of Science in Finance

    Eligibility Requirements:

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Goals Statement:

    • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University Costello College of Business MS in Finance program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

    1 Reference and 1 Professional Letter of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information. If you are a current Mason undergraduate student, one of the letters must be from a professor in your major department or school.

    Current Resume

    Optional Requirement:

    • GMAT or GRE Score The MSF is test-optional—however, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.

    Learn more about the MS in finance program here.

    Master of Science in Management

    Eligibility Requirements

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadline:

    • Priority: September 15
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
    • Final: December 15

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Goals Statement

    • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University Costello College of Business MS in Management program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

    One Letter of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for one recommender. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

    Current Resume

    Optional Requirement:

    • GMAT or GRE Score The MSM is test-optional—however, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.

    Certificate Pathway

    • Applicants who have successfully completed at least two courses in Business Analytics, Government Contract Management, Human Capital and HR Management, or Information Security Management Graduate Certificates with grades of B or better in all courses completed will have the application fee, goals statement, and letters of recommendation requirements waived.

    Learn more about the MS in management program here.

    Master of Science in Real Estate Development

    Eligibility Requirements:  

    • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
    • Two years of professional work experience is preferred, but not required.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 15
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
    • Final: December 15

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Goals Statement:

    Addressing the following points, in 1-3 pages:

    • Your current experience or interest in commercial real estate
    • Your professional goals and how an MS in real estate development will help you further those goals
    • Anything else you would like us to know as we consider your candidacy for this program. If you are not currently working in the real estate industry (either directly or peripherally), please explain your interest in pursuing an MS in real estate development and comment on the transferable skills that you believe will allow you to engage with our material and contribute in the classroom.

    Two Professional Letters of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

    Current Resume

    There is no test requirement for the MS in real estate development program.

    Learn more about the MS in real estate development program here.

    PhD in Business

    We are only recruiting for the Finance concentration in Fall 2025.

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadline:

    • January 15 
    • All required documents must be received by this date. This includes completed letters of recommendation. If an international degree holding candidate is utilizing George Mason's internal evaluation service, only the documents required to complete the evaluation must be submitted by January 15th.

    Application Link & Fee: 

    Official GMAT/GRE Scores

    The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants. This test must be taken within the past five years from the application deadline.

    College Transcripts:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Personal Statement

    • Statement of professional and academic mission and goals. Please indicate your concentration of interest: Organizational Behavior, Information Systems, Operations and Supply Chain Management, or Marketing. 

    Letters of Recommendation:

    • Three required, including at least one letter from a current or former professor, and one letter from a current or former supervisor.

    Current Resume

    Interview

    • Interviews are conducted by invitation only for selected applicants.

    Learn more about the PhD in business program here.

    Accounting Analytics Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements

    • Applicants must have at a minimum, a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent. Furthermore, you must either be an accounting major or have completed specific coursework in accounting, including 6 credits in Principles of Accounting, 6 credits in Intermediate Financial Accounting, 3 credits in Managerial/Cost Accounting, 3 credits in Audit, 3 credits in Tax, and 3 credits in Accounting Analytics. Non-accounting majors should refer to the NVCC pathway provided below to complete the required accounting coursework.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Current Resume

    Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Pathway

    • This pathway is tailored for individuals with non-accounting bachelor's degrees who need additional coursework to meet the eligibility requirements (mentioned above) for the Accounting Analytics Certificate at George Mason University. It allows students to complete pre-approved accounting courses offered at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) to fulfill the necessary course requirements for admission. For more information about the NVCC pathway, please contact the College of Business Graduate Admissions team at sbusgrad@gmu.edu.

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in accounting analytics program here.

    Accounting for Government Contracts Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements

    • Applicants must have at a minimum, a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent. Furthermore, you must either be an accounting major or have completed specific coursework in accounting, including 6 credits in Principles of Accounting, 6 credits in Intermediate Financial Accounting, 3 credits in Managerial/Cost Accounting, 3 credits in Audit, 3 credits in Tax, and 3 credits in Accounting Analytics. Non-accounting majors should refer to the NVCC pathway provided below to complete the required accounting coursework.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Current Resume

    Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Pathway

    • This pathway is tailored for individuals with non-accounting bachelor's degrees who need additional coursework to meet the eligibility requirements (mentioned above) for the Accounting for Government Contracts Certificate at George Mason University. It allows students to complete pre-approved accounting courses offered at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) to fulfill the necessary course requirements for admission. For more information about the NVCC pathway, please contact the College of Business Graduate Admissions team at sbusgrad@gmu.edu.

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in accounting for government contracts program here.

    Business Analytics Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements  

    • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
    • An undergraduate or graduate statistics or business analytics course.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 15
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
    • Final: December 15

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in business analytics program here.

    Business Fundamentals Certificate - General

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 15
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
    • Final: December 15

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in business fundamentals - general program here.

    Business Fundamentals Certificate – Government Contract Management

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 15
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
    • Final: December 15

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in business fundamentals - government contract management program here.

    Forensic Accounting Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements

    • Applicants must have at a minimum, a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent. Furthermore, you must either be an accounting major or have completed specific coursework in accounting, including 6 credits in Principles of Accounting, 6 credits in Intermediate Financial Accounting, 3 credits in Managerial/Cost Accounting, 3 credits in Audit, 3 credits in Tax, and 3 credits in Accounting Analytics. Non-accounting majors should refer to the NVCC pathway provided below to complete the required accounting coursework.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 15
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
    • Final: December 15

    Application Link & Fee: 

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Current Resume

    Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Pathway

    • This pathway is tailored for individuals with non-accounting bachelor's degrees who need additional coursework to meet the eligibility requirements (mentioned above) for the Forensic Accounting Certificate at George Mason University. It allows students to complete pre-approved accounting courses offered at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) to fulfill the necessary course requirements for admission. For more information about the NVCC pathway, please contact the College of Business Graduate Admissions team at sbusgrad@gmu.edu.

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in forensic accounting program here.

    Government Accounting Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements

    • Applicants must have at a minimum, a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent. Furthermore, you must either be an accounting major or have completed specific coursework in accounting, including 6 credits in Principles of Accounting, 6 credits in Intermediate Financial Accounting, 3 credits in Managerial/Cost Accounting, 3 credits in Audit, 3 credits in Tax, and 3 credits in Accounting Analytics. Non-accounting majors should refer to the NVCC pathway provided below to complete the required accounting coursework.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.

    Current Resume

    Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Pathway

    • This pathway is tailored for individuals with non-accounting bachelor's degrees who need additional coursework to meet the eligibility requirements (mentioned above) for the Government Accounting Certificate at George Mason University. It allows students to complete pre-approved accounting courses offered at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) to fulfill the necessary course requirements for admission. For more information about the NVCC pathway, please contact the College of Business Graduate Admissions team at sbusgrad@gmu.edu.

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in government accounting program here.

    Information Security Management Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements   

    • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent AND must have completed college-level introductory statistics and introductory accounting courses.

    Fall Deadlines: 

    • Priority: February 1  
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1 
    • Final: August 1 

    Application Link & Fee: 

    College Transcript Requirement 

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S. 

    Current Resume 

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in information security management program here

    Human Capital and HR Management

    Eligibility Requirements   

    Fall Deadlines: 

    • Priority: February 1  
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1 
    • Final: August 1 

    Spring Deadlines: 

    • Priority: September 15
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 15
    • Final: December 15

    Summer Deadline: 

    • May 1 

    Application Link & Fee: 

    College Transcript Requirement 

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the "Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders" section for degrees earned outside of the U.S. 

    Current Resume 

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in human capital and HR management program here. 

    JD/MBA Dual Degree

    Candidates interested in the JD/MBA dual-degree program at George Mason University must follow these steps to enroll in the JD/MBA properly.

    1. Read about JD Admission at George Mason University and the JD/MBA program.
    2. Connect with Antonin Scalia Law School JD Admissions regarding admission to the JD program. Make sure to mention your interest in the JD/MBA.
    3. Submit an application for the JD Program at George Mason by the required deadlines.
    4. Gain admission to the Law School and enroll in the JD program.
    5. Attend Orientation for your JD program.
    6. During the first month of your 1L year, connect with a representative of the College of Business Graduate Admission Team. We will guide you through the next steps of the MBA application process. Please be aware that the MBA program guarantees admission to all current JD students interested in the JD/MBA dual degree program.
    7. Enroll in the MBA program.

    To see a potential schedule, please visit the JD/MBA dual degree program page, hosted by the Law School.

    Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders

    Depending on where your highest degree was earned, you may need to meet the following international admission requirements (in addition to the standard program requirements). For additional information on applying as an International Degree holder, please navigate to the university's degree holder admissions page.

    English Proficiency

    Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. For more detailed information, please visit the university’s English Proficiency Requirements page

    The university will not accept English-proficiency examination scores that are more than two years old. All scores must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the testing agency. 

    International students demonstrate proficiency by submitting: 

    IELTS (International English Language Testing System) George Mason University requires a 7.0 total band score, with a minimum of 6.5 in each subsection. All scores must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the testing agency. 

    Office of Graduate Admissions 
    George Mason University 
    4400 University Drive 
    Mail Stop Number 4C8 
    Fairfax, VA 22030 

    TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) George Mason University requires an 88 overall, minimum 20 in each section. When submitting your TOEFL score, use institution code 5827. Please do NOT enter a department code as this can delay your scores. 

    Duolingo English Test is an acceptable form of English proficiency. George Mason University requires a 120 overall. Learn how to send your Duolingo English Test results to institutions here. 

    An English waiver will be provided for applicants who hold a conferred bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.​S.​ college or university accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or recognized university from one of the following eligible countries.

    Transcripts/ Diploma

    For more information, see Mason’s International Transcript Guidelines.

    All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English and evaluated course by course by a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) recognized U.S. evaluation agency to determine degree equivalency. Mason provides this evaluation service free of charge, but more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation.  

    INTO Mason

    Learn more about INTO Mason. George Mason partners with INTO University Partnerships to create a support system for international students from application to graduation. Through INTO Mason's academic programs, you can start your university experience while improving your language and academic skills to the point where you can comfortably and confidently attend classes at Mason in any area of study. INTO Mason's Academic English, International Year One, and Graduate Pathways are designed to help students with their transition to degree study at Mason, while providing additional English, academic and cultural support. 

    Make Sure Your Application is Complete

    To qualify for a specific deadline, an application must be complete. An application is not complete until all required application materials are submitted and processed. Please keep in mind that it may take two to four business days for the required application materials to be processed.

    • Priority Deadline: Ensures priority scholarship consideration and financial aid options. International students requiring visas are highly encouraged to apply by this deadline. Application fee waivers are available upon request for master’s programs. Contact admissions for more information.
    • Standard and F1/J1 Deadline: Candidates seeking scholarship assistance or financial aid options. International students requiring visas are encouraged to apply no later than this deadline.
    • Final Deadline: Programs will continue to review candidates for admission until this date OR until capacity is reached.

    Students Requiring a F1/J1 Visa to Study in the U.S.

    Please see the International Student Visa Information page for more information on securing your student visa. 
     
    Application Deadlines: To qualify for a specific deadline, an application must be complete. A submitted application is not complete until all required application materials are submitted and processed. Please keep in mind that it may take 2-4 business days for the required application materials to be processed.

    • For programs starting in fall: Your application must be complete by May 1 
    • For programs starting in spring: Your application must be complete by November 15 

    Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Programs

    If you are academically strong and currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at George Mason University, you may be approved to take up to 12 credits that will apply to both your current undergraduate degree and a future graduate degree program through our bachelors/accelerated master’s (BAM) program. Learn more about our Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's programs here

    Master's in Accounting

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible, you must:  

      • Be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in accounting
      • Complete ACCT 303 with a grade of C or better prior to (or concurrent with) application
      • Have earned at least 60 credits with a GPA of 3.0 or above (students may not enroll in graduate courses until they have earned 75 semester hours)   

      Application requirements for the BAM-MSA program:  

      Learn more about the master’s in accounting program here.  

      Learn more about our Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's programs here

      Master's in Business Analytics

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible to apply, you must:

      • Have earned at least 60 semester hours with a GPA of 3.00 or above

      Students may not enroll in graduate courses until they have also earned 75 semester hours.

      Application requirements for the BAM-MSBA pathway:

      Learn more about the master’s in business analytics here.

      Learn more about our Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's programs here

      Master's in Finance

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible to apply, you must:  

      • Have earned at least 60 semester hours with a GPA of 3.00 or above AND
      • Passed at least two quantitative courses1 with a grade of B or better in at least one.
        1 Courses from the Quantitative Reasoning section of Mason Core or equivalents.

      Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.

      Application requirements for the BAM-MSF pathway: 

      Learn more about the master’s in finance program here

      Learn more about our Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's programs here

      Master's in Management

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible, you must:  

      • Be a Mason undergraduate with a 3.0 GPA or greater
      • Have earned at least 60 semester hours (students may not enroll in graduate courses until they have earned 75 semester hours) 

      Application requirements for the BAM-MSM program:  

      Learn more about the master’s in management program here.

      Learn more about our Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's programs here

      Master's in Real Estate Development

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible for the BAM-MRED pathway, you must:

      • Be pursuing a George Mason University undergraduate degree with a 3.0 overall GPA or better.
      • Have earned at least 60 credits, of which 15 have been earned at George Mason University
      • Students approved for the BAM-MRED pathway may enroll in graduate courses after they have earned 75 credits
      • Have completed FNAN 351 with a grade of B or better.

      Application requirements for the BAM-MRED pathway:

      Learn more about the master’s in real estate development program here.

      Learn more about our Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's programs here

      Transfer Credit

      If you have any questions concerning a particular policy or procedure, please refer to our Graduate Policies, Procedures, and Forms page.