Application Requirements and Deadlines

Applying to graduate programs at Mason Engineering is a multi-step process. All applications are processed through central admissions.

Admission standards and the general university admission requirements can be found in the University catalog under Graduate Admissions Policies. For additional information, please go to our Academics page and select your program of interest.

Eligibility to apply:

  • Must have a baccalaureate degree from a Mason-recognized institutional accrediting agency.

    • Earned or will earn a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited US institution, or an equivalent degree from a nationally recognized non-US institution.

    • Applications may be submitted during the final year of undergraduate study. Note: Acceptance is contingent on the award of a baccalaureate degree before matriculation to a graduate or professional program at Mason.

  • Earned a 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale or better in your baccalaureate study. Note: The GPA requirement can be higher for individual programs.

Please note: CEC Office of Graduate Studies does not offer an application fee waiver for graduate admission. George Mason University offers limited application fee waivers for undergraduate and graduate applicants. 

Application Deadlines

 Graduate application requirements by program are available here: Application Deadlines and  Requirements

 

Spring 2024 application is open

Fall 2024 application will open September 15. 

Spring 2024

Funding Deadlines for Doctoral Programs

Funding Deadlines for Doctoral Programs:

  • August 15, 2023

Students who apply and submit application materials by August 15th will receive priority review for funding consideration, if offered in spring term. Please note that not every doctoral program may offer funding in spring term. 

The following doctoral programs may not have funding opportunities available for new applicants for spring consideration. Students who do not require funding are welcome to apply for spring 2024. 

  • Bioengineering, PhD 
  • Computer Science, PhD - more information available on the program's webpage.

 

 

Standard Deadline for Graduate Degree Programs

Standard Deadline for Graduate Degree Programs:

  • October 15, 2023

Graduate Non-degree Studies

Graduate Non-degree Studies:

  • January 15, 2024

Fall 2024

Funding Deadlines for Doctoral Programs

Funding Deadlines for Doctoral Programs:

  • December 1, 2023

Students who apply and submit application materials by the funding deadline will receive priority review for funding consideration. Please note that many of our academic departments begin the review process for doctoral funding consideration between January and March.

Standard Deadline for Graduate Degree Programs

Standard Deadline for Graduate Degree Programs:

  • March 15, 2024

Graduate Non-degree Studies

Graduate Non-degree Studies:

  • August 15, 2024

Space Available Deadlines

Space Available Deadline for Graduate Degree Programs: 

Space available deadlines for graduate degree programs are posted after the standard deadline for a given semester term. Space available deadlines are considered based on program capacity and decisions are not guaranteed in time for the start of the semester.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply by the standard deadline posted for their desired semester term. 

 

Required Basic Documentation

The following are required documents for the application process according to the degree sought. Note: Internationally-educated students may require additional documents. See the Internationally-educated applicant section of this page for details.

Certificate Program

  • College Transcripts
  • Goals Statement
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation 
  • Résumé 

 

Masters Program

  • College Transcripts
  • Goals Statement *
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation *
  • Résumé 

* Notes on admission requirements:

  • Goals Statement and Recommendation Letters are NOT required for the following programs:

    • Computer Engineering, MS

    • Electrical Engineering, MS

  • Recommendation Letters are NOT required for the following program:

    • Computer Science, MS 

    • Information Systems, MS 

    • Software Engineering, MS

Doctoral Program

  • College Transcripts
  • Goals Statement
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation*
  • Résumé 
  • GRE (see 'notes on admission requirements)

* Notes on admission requirements:

  • 2 Letters of Recommendation are required for the following program:

    • Computer Science, PhD
  • The GRE exam is required for the following programs: 

    • Bioengineering, PhD (Fall 2023 only)

    • Systems Engineering & Operations Research, PhD.

GRE exam is waived for all other doctoral programs and is optional for admission consideration. Applicants who took the GRE (General Test) with exams no older than five years, are encouraged to provide official test scores to help the review committee with decision-making. 

  • Computer Science, PhD program recommends the GRE for internationally-educated applicants.

Graduate Non-degree Studies

  • College Transcripts
  • Résumé 

Internationally Educated Applicants

Internationally-educated students must submit additional requirements to complete a graduate studies application:

  • Transcript evaluation from a NACES approved agency. See International Graduate Requirements for details.

  • English proficiency exam: TOEFL iBT for Graduate Studies and/or Research Assistantship (80 points total overall, with no section minimum); for Teaching Assistantship (88 points total overall, with a minimum of 20 points in each section). For additional details on TOEFL, IELTS or PTE, see Examination and Scores.

Application Procedures

 

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Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Compile the documentation required for your desired degree level (basic documentation is listed on this page).

Step 2: Choose Your Program

Select your program of study and check the requirements for your specific program and degree.

Step 3: Apply Online

Have your documents prepared and ready to upload before beginning the application. The central Office of Graduate Admissions handles all graduate applications to the university.

Contact Us

Graduate Studies

Email: cecgrad@gmu.edu

Phone: 703-993-1512

Prospective students and applicants are encouraged to email us to set up a virtual appointment.