George Mason University

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences welcomes students to take classes through Non-Degree Studies.  Non-Degree Studies may be an attractive enrollment option for those who wish to take a course for enrichment purposes, to satisfy prerequisites for a future graduate program, or simply to test the waters.   Applicants seeking F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible to take courses through Non-Degree Studies.

CHSS Restricted Courses

• Psychology: Students interested in Psychology graduate courses in either the Human Factors/Applied Cognition or Industrial/Organizational concentrations must first contact the psychology program administrative coordinator and receive written permission from the graduate director of the specific psychology concentration. All other psychology concentrations (Applied Developmental, Biopsychology, Clinical, and School) are restricted to psychology, graduate, degree-seeking students.
• Biodefense: Biodefense courses BIOD 604 and BIOD 605 are restricted to admitted degree-seeking students in the Biodefense program. Non-Degree applicants and those outside the program may enroll in other Biodefense graduate courses offered through the Public and International Affairs Department.
• Graduate non-degree students may enroll in 500-, 600-, and 700- level courses,  IN exceptional cases graduate non-degree students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences may request to enroll in an 800-level course if they have appropriate academic or processional background, and have written permission of the course instructor, director of the graduate program offering the course, and the graduate dean.

GPA Requirement

With a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or above, a student may apply through Non-Degree Studies to take a graduate or undergraduate class.  However, it is college policy that students may not take courses in a program for which they were denied admission.  Applicants who do not have a 3.0 GPA in their previous academic work, but feel they have other strengths which might outweigh a slightly lower GPA, may contact the CHSS Office of Graduate Admissions to discuss possible options.

Course Advising and Transfer of Graduate Credit

Prior to applying for Non-Degree Studies, it is recommended that students contact the director of the relevant graduate program for course advising, and to determine the maximum graduate transfer credits allowed for the program.  Transfer credits are those taken before first enrolling as an admitted degree-seeking student, whether taken at another institution, or as a Mason non-degree seeking student.  Policies for transferring graduate credit are available on the Policies, Forms, and Procedures page of the Graduate Students section of the Web site. 

Students interested in applying Mason non-degree coursework or coursework from another institution toward a graduate degree at Mason should carefully review the university policies regarding certificate, master's and doctoral programs.  All degree programs require that students complete a minimum number of credits after they have been admitted to the program.  Students should carefully review their plan of study with the director of the graduate program to which they are interested in applying.

Non-Degree Application Requirements

Non-Degree online application
Application fee (paid by master card or visa using the online application)
Application for Virginia In-state Tuition Rates (for those seeking in-state tuition rates)
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

Non-Degree Deadlines
Fall - August 1st
Spring – December 1st
Summer – April 15th

Contact Information
Non-Degree Studies
Office of Admissions
George Mason University
4400 University Drive MS: 3A4
Fairfax, VA  22030-4444

703-993-2400 (phone)
703-993-4622 (fax)
admissions@gmu.edu
Location:  Johnson Center, Room 213

Please note:  The mail stop number (MS:3A4) is critical in insuring documents are sent to the appropriate admissions office.