Application and Admission

Steps for Applying

Depending on county requirements, there may be two application procedures for cohort applicants. Applicants must submit a graduate application to George Mason University. They must also contact their county to determine if there is an application required by the county. If so, the student must complete both the application to George Mason University and the application to the county.

George Mason University Application Deadlines

• Fall: April 1 priority. Students accepted for fall are allowed to register for summer classes. For summer, students must be accepted prior to the start of their summer course. For fall, complete applications will be reviewed until August 19, provided space is still available. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed after this date.
• Spring: November 1 priority. Complete applications will be reviewed until January 10, provided space is available. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed after this date.
• Summer: February 1 priority. Complete applications will be reviewed until May 15, provided space is available. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed after this date.

Once accepted to George Mason University, students continue to be registered for cohort classes by the Special Education Program Office. Students should consult the Special Education Cohort website for details on cohort course registration.

Cohort students are required to submit a complete graduate GMU application (not non-degree).

Apply to George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development

Step 1: Select Your Program and Review Admissions Requirements

Cohort applicants may apply either to an add-on certificate or to the Masters in Special Education. Students who intend to use their certificate coursework as electives toward an MEd should apply to the Masters in Special Education. Students who are unsure of the program to which they should apply should contact the Special Education Advising office.

Options include

• MEd in Special Education with a
  • concentration in K-12 Adapted Curriculum Licensure (E1-MED-EDSE-KACL)
  • concentration in K-12 General Curriculum Licensure (E1-MED-EDSE-KGCL)
• Add-on Certificate, Special Education-General Curriculum (E1-CERG-EDGC)

Requirements for admission:

• A completed graduate application, including the application fee
• A 750-1000 word goal statement that addresses the reasons for choosing to become a special education teacher and what you hope to accomplish when you are finished with the program. The goal statement can also be used to explain low undergraduate GPA.
• Résumé
• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Some applicants with a lower GPA may be admitted provisionally if there is sufficient evidence of potential success.
• Scanned, unofficial copies of your transcripts for application review. Please make sure your documents are legible. They should include your full name, show your school name, and have your degree conferral date, if earned. If admitted, however, all applicants are required to submit official, final transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in their first semester.
• Two recommendations from former or current employers or university professors, targeting work experiences and academic abilities submitted through the online application system.
• Note: If you are an applicant with international credentials, please review the International Graduate Requirements for additional important information.

Step 2: Apply Online

Access the George Mason University application.

1. Select "Graduate" and click "Apply Now."
2. Select Current or Prospective Student depending on your situation.
   • If you have previously attended George Mason University, then click the box underneath to log in using your previous George Mason netID.
   • If you are a prospective student, select sign up to create an account. It can take up to 30 minutes for your account to be created.
3. Once you are logged into the application portal site select “New Application.”
4. Select Masters or Certificate if you are applying for the add-on program. Do not select non-degree.
5. Select George Mason University.
6. Select the term that you are applying for, then work through the sections to complete the application.

Step 3: Application Status

To monitor the status of your application, you can check the application portal for updates using the link provided in the application submission email. Applicants with incomplete applications will be notified via e-mail with reminders to complete the application. Applicants will have to log into the application portal site through the above link to check for missing application documents. Admissions decisions are communicated electronically.

Graduate Admissions Contact

For questions about your graduate admission, contact the College of Education and Human Development Graduate Admissions Office.

• Email: cehdooa@gmu.edu
• Phone: 703-993-2892
• Fax: 703-993-2020
• Office: 1700 Thompson Hall, MSN 4D1
• Mailing address: Office of Graduate Admissions, 4400 University Drive, MSN 4C8, Fairfax, Virginia 22030

In certain circumstances, students enrolled in Special Education contract or cohort courses may be eligible for a Quick Admit (QA) Non-Degree status, which allows enrollment for one semester without completing the full university admissions process. To qualify for Quick Admit status, students must not have previously received Quick Admit status for a Special Education course, and must email the following documentation:

• Completed cohort course enrollment form.
• Completed In-State Tuition form. This form must be completed even if you live out of state, as addressed on the form, and even if you have already submitted one online with your formal application.
• Entire unofficial college or university transcript showing at least a bachelor's degree conferral. The transcript must include the full, preprinted name of the school and student, the type of degree, and the actual date of conferral. Copies of requests for transcripts, diplomas, or teaching licenses will not suffice.
• Students with international credentials or transcripts must also submit:
  • An international credential evaluation indicating that a degree has been earned and deemed comparable to a bachelor's degree or greater from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
  • Passing scores, no older than two years, on the IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or Duolingo exams.

Quick Admit requires less documentation than a formal university application and provides temporary, one-semester student status. Students who wish to continue coursework beyond their first semester must complete the full admissions process and be formally admitted to the Special Education graduate program before enrolling in additional courses.

Attention Students Who Plan to Continue with Coursework in Special Education

Students must be formally admitted to the program before registering or continuing in coursework beyond the initial semester. Beginning coursework in quick-admit status does not guarantee formal admission into the George Mason University graduate program. Admissions requirements apply.

Detailed information about the application process is available on the Graduate Application Process webpage.

If you plan to continue coursework into the summer: Immediately submit the online Special Education program application for summer and pay the application fee through the George Mason University application webpage. Do not apply to non-degree.

Submitting the online application now will start the admissions process so that you are notified of the information required to complete your application. These reminders will prompt you to send the remaining documentation, reducing the chance that you will have to delay your program plans because of an incomplete application.

If you have questions regarding these policies, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office directly at 703-993-9700.