Can I apply online?
Yes. Applying online is simple and fast, and you can log back into your account to see what materials we have received in support of your application.
Can I submit supporting documents online?
Yes, you can submit all supporting documents online. Mason has moved to a new application system that requires applicants to submit all documents electronically.
Can I submit my transcripts electronically?
Electronic transcripts must be sent directly from university to university. Please submit electronic transcripts to [email protected]. You must complete your online application before submitting your transcripts electronically. Please note that it may take at least 72 hours for the transcript to be matched to your application.
Do you offer pre-screening of candidates' resumes, achievements, and transcripts by e-mail?
No, the admissions office does not offer any type of pre-screening. We can give you an idea of what the S-CAR “ideal candidate” would be, but we are unable to review your entire case without formally applying. S-CAR also offers information sessions for prospective students, where you can also find out this information and get a good sense of what the S-CAR admissions committee is looking for in an applicant.
Is the GRE Required at S-CAR?
No, and those students who submit GRE scores are not favored over those who do not.
Can I apply to more than one program? How do I apply to a joint program?
You are welcome to apply to another graduate program at George Mason University. Please visit the website of the program in which you are interested for their application process. S-CAR does not offer any joint program with other schools within George Mason or other academic institutions except the dual degree option with the School of Social Work. One would receive an MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and an MSW. For this program, you apply to the MSW program and then the MSW program will share your materials with S-CAR. You must be accepted into both S-CAR and the MSW program for the Fall semester to complete the dual degree.
Do all of my application materials need to be received by the deadline?
You must apply by the application deadline and we suggest you have all your materials in by that time as well. Any delay in their arrival could delay the processing of your application and affect it being forwarded to the admissions committee. Please apply online before you start sending your supplemental documents. It is up to the applicant to apply ahead of the deadline to avoid rushing.
How do I know if my application materials have been received?
If you have applied online, you will be able to check the status of your credentials through your self service portal. To access this , login to your George Mason online application (please remember to save your pin and password). Once within your application, you will see the status of your supplemental materials. However, please be aware that during busy times, it may take the admissions office longer than usual to process all materials and update your checklist.
Whom should I ask to write my recommendation letters?
Your recommendation letters should be written by an authority on your academic and/or
professional experience. This can be a professor, advisor, supervisor, etc. It is not required that
one should have a professor write a letter of recommendation since many applicants have been
out of school for many years.
Do I need transcripts from every school I've attended?
Yes. You do need to request official, original transcripts from every institution you have attended beyond secondary school, even if you did not receive a degree. This includes junior and community colleges. If you have trouble requesting certain transcripts, let us know.
How do I know if the documents I have submitted are official?
For international documents, we do not accept documents that have been notarized by a notary public. We would only accept an official copy of a document notarized by an embassy or Ministry of Education. Also for international documents, we need transcripts in their original language and also official English translations. These must be official documents translated by either the University that produced the transcript or an official translator. GMU will not accept documents that have been translated by the applicant.
TOEFL scores are only considered official if they arrive directly from ETS, either paper or electronically. Score reports received from the applicant are not considered official. ***Note that the GRE is not required for admission into a program at S-CAR.
If you have questions about the documents you have submitted you can send an email to
[email protected].
Will I be notified when the Admissions Office receives my materials?
We will contact you via email indicating which of the materials we are still missing for your application
package. Please note that November through March is a very busy admissions period. We encourage all applicants to apply early to avoid the last minute rush before the deadlines. Please note that during busy times, it may take a few days to show up online when a document has made it to the admissions office.
Is there a foreign language requirement at S-CAR?
Not for the Master’s program. However, to earn a PhD the student must be proficient in a language other than English before graduation.
Can I go to school while working full time?
Yes. Many of our students do. Our flexible course schedules accommodate working students. We recommend that working students take a maximum of six credit hours per semester.
Does S-CAR offer evening or day classes?
The majority of S-CAR classes are offered in the evenings from 4:30 – 7:10 or 7:20 – 10:00 pm. We also offer weekend and online classes for students unable to come to campus during the week.
Does S-CAR have student organizations?
We have a variety of student organizations and working groups within our school.
What are the tuition rates?
The tuition rates for in state/out of state are found on the Student Accounts website.
Are international students eligible for financial aid?
While international students are generally not eligible for federal loan money from the United States government, they are certainly eligible for other funds. Financial aid is merit-based and all applicants are eligible to compete for available funds. Merit-based scholarships are available to students registered in most doctoral and master's programs and these funding sources pay part or all of tuition. Assistantships and fellowships normally include a stipend and a full tuition scholarship.
S-CAR has a small number of graduate research assistantships. These are granted each fall and you are asked to fill out an application after you submit your application for admission at S-CAR. Funding decisions are usually made by April. Assistantships are usually granted to PhD students. The amount of funding S-CAR has for student support is very limited and we encourage all applicants to explore other outside funding opportunities.
Is there an English proficiency requirement at S-CAR?
Yes. Applicants who have earned a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States, Canada (excluding province of Quebec), United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand are considered to have met that standard. All other applicants are required to take an English proficiency examination and meet minimum scores set by Mason in order to be considered for admission. The TOEFL, Pearson Test of English, or IELTS exams can be used to meet this requirement.
How do I secure a student visa for study in the United States?
There is an application for students seeking F1/J1 status within the admissions application online. There are details on the Office of International Programs and Services website.
How long do I have to make a decision to enroll at S-CAR?
Decisions are usually sent out in mid to late March. You should notify S-CAR about your intent to enroll in classes or withdraw your admission offer by the date listed in your decision letter. If you need more time, please contact us. S-CAR does not require a deposit.
Can I defer my admission?
Students can defer their enrollment at S-CAR for one semester guaranteed. If a student wishes to defer one year, the admissions committee will review their application again and therefore, we cannot guarantee admission for the following cycle. You MUST drop any classes you registered for if you plan to defer.
How do I confirm my intent to enroll?
Please refer to your admission letter for instructions on how to confirm your enrollment or how to defer your application to the next cycle.
Once I confirm my intended enrollment at S-CAR, what do I do next?
Make plans to attend the orientation sessions held before the start of classes in August or in January. Read over literature that we include in your acceptance package. Follow the guidelines in the student handbook. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
How much estimated financial aid will I receive?
S-CAR has limited internal funding for students. Most financial assistance, usually in the form of Gradate Assistantships goes to incoming PhD Students. Some financial assistance may require a GRE score.
If you have been admitted to a program and the department has decided to offer you a fellowship, assistantship, or scholarship, a letter will be sent to you with the amount of your award and the terms of your award. Please check with the department for questions regarding the number of awards and amount of funding available. Information on financial awards may be found on the departmental website.
How do I take a class at George Mason without being admitted to, and enrolled in, a degree program?
You can enroll in a "for credit" graduate class as a non-degree student through our Non Degree Office. Students can transfer up to 12 non-degree seeking graduate credits into the PHD or MS program at S-CAR. The classes that a non-degree student can take at S-CAR are CONF 501 and elective credits. Non-degree seeking students are restricted from taking any S-CAR required courses. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to take 800- level courses.