Accelerated Masters Application, Instructions, and Guidelines

Purpose of The Volgenau School “Accelerated Master’s” Option:
Academically strong undergraduates currently enrolled at George Mason University with an interest in research or graduate and professional studies, may be approved to take six graduate credits that will apply to both the current undergraduate degree and future graduate degree program requirements. In order to register for these courses, students must receive approval from both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Registration in graduate courses will be allowed once participants have earned at least 90 hours of undergraduate degree credit (with all prerequisites fulfilled).
 
Application Deadlines

Information Sessions:
Join us for one of our information sessions on the Accelerated Masters Program. Please check back on this webpage for specific information about when and where the information sessions will be held.

Application Procedures:
1. Download and complete the application (PDF) (no fee is required).

2. Schedule a meeting with your undergraduate advisor and take along your application and an unofficial copy of your transcript printed from Patriot Web. At this meeting, you will:

· Receive guidance on which courses will best suit your desired program and interests
· Complete your application
· Receive confirmation on which Masters level courses will be applied to your Bachelors degree
Note: Please see the Accelerated Master’s Conversion chart (below) to determine graduate course recommendations and course prerequisites.

3. Bring your completed application, with both your signature and your undergraduate Advisor’s, along with an unofficial transcript (printed from Patriot Web) to the Graduate Admissions office in Science and Technology II in Room 133.*

Note: If your Undergraduate and Graduate Programs reside within the same Department, the Department may elect to give both signatures of approval for the program at once. Please bring the application to the Office of Graduate Admissions once you’ve obtained the approvals.

4. Graduate Admissions will send all of your application materials to the appropriate Graduate Coordinator for approval for your participation into the Accelerated Masters program.

Accelerated Masters Program Reference Chart

Checking your Application Status:
1. The processing time for Accelerated Master’s applications can take up to 4 weeks.
2. For faster processing, send your application along with all required supplementary materials to the Graduate Admissions office immediately after meeting with your undergraduate advisor.*
3. Questions about your application can only be directed to itegadm@gmu.edu after the 4 week processing period has expired. Decisions will not be given over the phone by the department or by the Graduate Admissions office.

Notification & Registration:
1. If your Accelerated Master’s application is approved, a notice of approval will be sent to you via email and postal mail.
2. Approved participants will then be able to register for graduate courses via GMU’s Patriot Web system. Participants, who were previously listed under Junior or Senior status in Patriot Web, will now be listed as ‘Senior Plus’.
3. Please note that approval of specific courses on the application does not imply that a specific course section will be open or offered at the time of registration.
4. Approval for the Accelerated Master’s program only guarantees admission to a degree program at a later date IF the student maintains the required G.P.A. and follows all of the Post Graduation admission instructions listed below.

Post Graduation Instruction:
1. Transitioning to Graduate Status: In order to register for graduate courses as a graduate student at the end of your Bachelors program, meet with your undergraduate advisor to have your BS/MS transition form signed and approved (this form can be found online at: http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/BAMT.pdf). One copy of the approved BS/MS transition form must be submitted to Graduate Admissions, while a second approved copy must be given to the registrar along with your Graduation Application. If this form is not received by both offices, a program participant will not be considered an admitted graduate student! Once the BS/MS transition form has been processed by Graduate Admissions, students will receive an official admission letter via the U.S. postal service.

Additionally, if you hope to obtain in-state tuition rates, you will need to reapply for them once admitted. The application for in state tuition is available online at: http://admissions.gmu.edu/apps/documents/InStateApplication.pdf and must be given to the Office of Graduate Admissions (not the Registrar).

2. How your credits are applied: Once you are admitted as a regular graduate student, you will be given advanced standing (meaning that graduate credits have been earned and will later be applied). All graduate students are subject to same rules and regulations as indicated in the course catalogue, regardless of advanced standing.

Note: Courses taken within the Accelerated Masters program will appear on a separate portion of the transcript under “Advanced Standing”.

Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the program.