Non-Degree Status
Non-degree status enables visiting students from other institutions or community members seeking personal enrichment to enroll in courses for which they are qualified without seeking formal admission to a degree program. Enrollment in specific courses is based on eligibility criteria and availability of space in courses. Registration priority is given to degree-seeking students. Academic departments may restrict or prohibit non-degree enrollment in some courses. Admitted and enrolled non-degree students are responsible for the same policies and procedures that apply to degree-seeking students, including the University Honor Code and the Code of Student Conduct.
George Mason University enrolls non-degree students in three categories: High-School Guest Matriculants, Undergraduate Non-degree students, and Graduate Non-degree students. All Non-degree applicants must complete the online application for admission and supply all official supporting documentation as requested by the Office of Admissions. A maximum of 30 credits earned in non-degree status at Mason can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree.
Non-degree application information and deadlines are available online.
Students are responsible for registering properly and paying applicable tuition and fees by the deadlines. Students should confirm the correctness of their enrollments (including drop and add) via Patriot Web. Incorrect enrollments may result in academic and financial penalties.
High School Guest Matriculants
Exceptionally talented high school juniors and seniors may be considered for dual enrollment in lower-level (100-299) undergraduate courses. These applicants will be evaluated based on their academic performance in high school. Only students who have excelled in high school and demonstrate the preparation and maturity indicative of the potential to succeed in Mason's competitive coursework will be admitted. Mason cannot guarantee that courses will fulfill high school graduation requirements or that courses taken while the student is a high school guest will transfer to other institutions. High school dual enrollment students may enroll in a maximum of 11 credit hours each semester. An official high school transcript and written permission of the high school counselor is required for admission consideration. Non-native speakers of English are required to meet the University English language proficiency requirement. The Admissions Committee may ask for other supporting documentation such as test scores or transcripts from other dual enrollment credit.
Additional non-degree study for high school guest matriculants beyond the first semester requires a new application each semester and admissions review. High school guest matriculants are expected to maintain a 2.00 or better Mason GPA, and are subject to all academic policies outlined in this catalog.
High School Partnership Programs
Select high school students may be invited to participate in one of several partnership programs offered through George Mason University. Students enrolled in Guest Matriculant Partnership Programs have unique admissions and enrollment requirements set forth by the University. Only students that meet these requirements and agree to the University Honor Code will be admitted. Mason cannot guarantee that Non-Degree credit awarded will fulfill requirements at other institutions.
Undergraduate Non-Degree
Visiting undergraduate students from other colleges or universities, or community members who have completed some college-level course work at an institution accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or from an international university recognized by that country’s Ministry of Education, may be considered for Undergraduate Non-Degree admission. The Office of Admissions renders all undergraduate non-degree admissions decisions.
The undergraduate admission eligibility requirements for non-degree students are as follows:
- A minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average and be eligible to return to all previous institutions attended.
- Non-native speakers of English are required to meet the University English language proficiency requirement.
- Students who are actively suspended or dismissed from another institution will not be offered admission.
Additional unofficial transcript(s) may be requested to support course prerequisite requirements.
Admitted Non-degree Undergraduate students are assessed undergraduate tuition rates for all courses. Non-degree undergraduate students are ineligible for financial aid. Students enrolled in coursework will be charged out-of-state tuition rates unless they provide documentation verifying in-state residency. The in-state residency application is available when submitting the application for admission.
Admission is offered for one semester and students may enroll in a maximum of 11 undergraduate (100-499) credits. Non-Degree study beyond the first semester requires a new application and admission review, with exceptions existing for Senior Citizens and ROTC students. Students enrolled as non-degree students who later decide to pursue an undergraduate degree from George Mason University are required to submit a formal application for degree-seeking admission. A determination of the applicability of any courses and credits earned while enrolled as a non-degree student will be made following admission. The acceptability of any courses and credits towards a degree is at the discretion of the department in accordance with all university policies and procedures. A maximum of 30 credits taken in non-degree status can be transferred to a Mason degree or certificate.
Non-Degree Undergraduate students are expected to maintain a 2.00 or better Mason GPA and are subject to the AP.5 Undergraduate Policies section of this catalog. Select undergraduate students may be invited to participate in one of several partnership programs offered through George Mason University. Students enrolled in Undergraduate Non-degree special programs have unique admission and enrollment requirements set forth by the University. Only students that meet these requirements and agree to the University Honor Code will be admitted.
More information about Undergraduate Non-Degree application requirements and policies can be found online.
Admission Policies for Graduate Non-Degree Students
Qualified students who wish to enroll in graduate courses may apply as a non-degree seeking graduate student.
The graduate admission eligibility requirements for non-degree students are as follows:
- An unofficial transcript for an earned or currently in-progress undergraduate degree, or, an unofficial graduate transcript for any graduate degree earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or international equivalent is required during the application process.
- The minimum standard for Graduate Non-degree admission is a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on the submitted transcript(s). Non-native speakers of English are required to meet the University English language proficiency requirement. See here for more information regarding non-degree requirements and procedures.
- Graduate Non-degree students may enroll in a maximum of 10 undergraduate or graduate credits per semester. Non-degree Graduate students are expected to maintain a 3.0 or better Mason GPA and are subject to AP.6 in this Catalog.
- Non-degree students are responsible for the same policies and procedures that apply to degree-seeking students.
Additional unofficial transcript(s) may be requested to support course prerequisite requirements.
Admitted Non-degree Graduate students are assessed graduate tuition rates for all courses. Non-degree graduate students are ineligible for financial aid. Students enrolled in coursework will be charged out-of-state tuition rates unless they provide documentation verifying in-state residency. The in-state residency application is available when submitting the application for admission.
Students enrolled as non-degree students who later decide to pursue a graduate certificate program or degree from George Mason University are required to submit a formal application for admission to be evaluated for admission to the graduate program. A determination of the applicability of any courses and credits earned while enrolled as a non-degree student will be made following admission. The acceptability of any courses and credits towards a certificate program or degree is at the discretion of the local academic unit in accordance with all university policies and procedures. A maximum of 12 credits taken in non-degree status can be transferred to a Mason degree or certificate.
More information about Graduate Non-Degree application requirements and policies, as well as a listing of restricted programs, can be found online.
Senior Citizen Enrollment
Mason welcomes applications from Virginia's senior citizens. Under the terms found in the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, eligible Virginia residents 60 years of age or older may apply to take university courses for credit in either degree or non-degree seeking status without paying tuition. Admitted senior citizens may register to audit courses regardless of income level. Mason provides all of Virginia's senior citizens with an application fee wavier, regardless of income level.
All application and admission requirements and deadlines apply to Senior Citizen Enrollment.
Upon admission and enrollment, the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver form must be completed with the Office of the University Registrar if the applicant is seeking benefits under the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974.
Academic Advising
Non-Degree Undergraduate students may seek academic advising from the Office of Academic Advising. Graduate Non-Degree students may seek academic advising from the academic department offering their course(s) of interest. See Graduate Admissions Guidelines webpage for more information.
Grades earned through Non-Degree studies remain a part of the student's permanent Non-Degree record and are recorded on the student's transcript. They will not appear on the degree transcript unless the student is accepted to a degree program and permission is given by the dean to apply the Non-Degree credit to the degree program. A maximum of 30 undergraduate credits taken in Non-Degree status may apply to an undergraduate degree program if approved by the relevant program dean. A maximum of 12 credits taken in Non-Degree status can be applied to a Mason graduate degree program.
International Students
International students holding F or J visas are not admitted in Non-Degree status. Exceptions exist for specific situations, as determined by, and at the sole discretion of, the Office of Admissions in collaboration with the Office of the Provost. These exceptions include those students enrolled in either the Undergraduate International Year One Program, Graduate International Year One Program or Academic English Program, or those who wish attend George Mason University pursuant to the terms of an exchange agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Mason and their home university. Additionally, J-1 Au Pair applicants may be considered for Non-Degree status.
International applicants who have questions regarding their eligibility to apply as Non-Degree applicants should contact the Office of Admissions at nondegree@gmu.edu.