The Information Technology, BS prepares students to apply IT to support business processes. The degree produces graduates with strong problem-solving, writing, and communication skills who successfully compete for technical employment and are prepared for advanced study. The objectives of the BS program in Information Technology relate to the expected abilities of the graduates three to five years after graduation.
The objectives include:
- Be employed in a position in which they have successfully used their information technology skills as evidenced by achieving improved organizational objectives
- Progress through increasing levels of responsibility in the workplace
- Demonstrate ethical, social and professional responsibility consistent with organizational values
- Work effectively in teams, whether as a participant or as a leader
- Grow through self-study, continuing education and professional development relevant to their profession
The program can be successfully completed in eight full-time semesters with an average of 15 credits each semester. It is also possible for students to complete the degree on a part-time basis. The 120-credit degree requirement consists of Mason Core requirements, IT foundation and core courses, and courses required for the chosen IT concentration. At least 30 credits toward the BS degree must be earned at Mason, and at least 45 credits must be at or above the 300 level. Upper-level courses may be offered on any of George Mason's three campuses, Fairfax, SciTech, or Mason Square.
The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria for Information Technology and Similarly Named Computing Programs.
Admissions
Students who meet Mason's general eligibility requirements may apply for admission to the IT major. Admission is based on the appropriateness of the student's academic objectives and the likelihood of the student benefiting from the program. Preference in admission is given to students who have four years of high school mathematics, including precalculus.
Policies
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Change of Major
Mason students considering a change of major to Information Technology must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in completed courses from the following list:IT 102 Discrete Structures or MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core), IT 104 Introduction to Computing (Mason Core), IT 105 IT Architecture Fundamentals, IT 106 Introduction to IT Problem Solving Using Computer Programming or IT 109 Introduction to Computer Programming or CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core), IT 206 Object Oriented Techniques for IT Problem Solving or IT 209 Introduction to Object Oriented Programming or CS 211 Object-Oriented Programming, IT 216 Systems Analysis and Design, IT 207 Applied IT Programming, IT 213 Multimedia and Web Design, IT 214 Database Fundamentals and IT 223 Information Security Fundamentals, and a grade of C or better in IT 106 Introduction to IT Problem Solving Using Computer Programming or IT 109 Introduction to Computer Programming or CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core).
Note: IT courses at the 300 and 400 level are restricted to students who have declared an Information Technology major, minor, or undergraduate certificate, and to students in the BAS or BIS program. IT 293 IT Degree and Careers Overview and IT 343 IT Project Management (Mason Core) are restricted to students who have declared the Information Technology, BS major.
Advanced Study
Mason offers students the ability to complete both BS and MS degrees in a shorter time through an Accelerated Masters (MS) program. Choosing to pursue an accelerated MS may affect a student's choice of courses in the BS program. Students should consult with an advisor for assistance.
Grades
Students must have a C or better in any course that satisfies a prerequisite for an IT course. To graduate with the BS in Information Technology, students must have a GPA of 2.75 or better across the IT foundation, core, capstone, and concentration courses. Additionally, students must have a C or better in their foundation, core, capstone, and concentration courses. Furthermore, students must have a B or better in gateway courses for the respective concentration.
Course Repeat Policy
In addition to the University's Undergraduate Course Repeat Policy, the following courses listed have additional repeat restrictions:
- A student who has taken IT 106 twice may not take IT 109 or CS 112 for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of IT 109 or CS 112 in lieu of taking IT 106.
- A student who has taken IT 109 twice may not take IT 106 or CS 112 for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of IT 106 or CS 112 in lieu of taking IT 109.
- A student who has taken IT 206 twice may not take IT 209 or CS 211 for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of IT 209 or CS 211 in lieu of taking IT 206.
- A student who has taken IT 209 twice may not take IT 206 for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of IT 206 in lieu of taking IT 209.
- A student who has taken IT 102 Discrete Structures twice may not take MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core) for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of MATH 125 in lieu of taking IT 102.
- A student who has taken MATH 125 twice may not take IT 102 for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of IT 102 in lieu of taking MATH 125.
- A student who has taken MATH 108 twice may not take MATH 113 for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of MATH 113 in lieu of taking MATH 108.
- A student who has taken MATH 113 twice may not take MATH 108 for their third attempt, nor will they be permitted to start over with three attempts of MATH 108 in lieu of taking MATH 113.
Corequisites
Corequisites must be completed successfully prior to or at the same time as the course for which it is a corequisite.
- (MATH 108 or MATH 113 or MATH 124 is a corequisite for IT 102. If a student drops or withdraws from MATH 108 or MATH 113 or MATH 124, they will also be dropped/withdrawn from IT 102, if the prerequisites are not otherwise met.
- (IT 102 or MATH 125) is a corequisite for (IT 106 or IT 109). If a student drops or withdraws from IT 102 or MATH 125, they will also be dropped/withdrawn from IT 106 or IT 109, if the prerequisites are not otherwise met.
- IT 300 is a corequisite for IT 341. If a student drops or withdraws from IT 300, they will also be dropped/withdrawn from IT 341, if the prerequisites are not otherwise met.
- IT 207 is a corequisite forIT 369. If a student drops or withdraws from IT 207, they will also be dropped/withdrawn from IT 369, if the prerequisites are not otherwise met.
- IT 216 is a corequisite for IT 492. If a student drops or withdraws from IT 216, they will also be dropped/withdrawn from IT 492, if the prerequisites are not otherwise met.
Termination from the Major
No math, science, or College of Engineering and Computing course that is required for the major may be attempted more than three times. Those students who do not successfully complete such a course within three attempts will be terminated from the major. Undeclared students in the College of Engineering and Computing who do not successfully complete a course required for a College of Engineering and Computing major within three attempts will also be terminated.
In addition, students in the College of Engineering and Computing with evidence of continued failure to make adequate progress toward declaring or completing a College of Engineering and Computing major will be terminated from the school. Adequate progress is determined by the major program. For more information, see AP.5.2.3 Termination from the Concentration or Major.
Once a student has attempted one of these courses twice unsuccessfully, the third attempt must be no later than the next semester of enrollment, excluding summers. Failure to take the course at that time will result in termination from the major. A third attempt of a College of Engineering and Computing course requires support by the student's major department as well as permission by the department offering the course. This permission is not guaranteed. If the student is unable to take the course when required, the student may request an extension to a future semester; extensions require approval of the student's advisor, their department, and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. The deadline for extension requests is the add deadline for the semester in which the course is required.
Students who have been terminated from a College of Engineering and Computing major may not register for a College of Engineering and Computing course without permission of the department offering the course. This applies to all undergraduate courses offered by the College of Engineering and Computing except IT 104 Introduction to Computing (Mason Core) and STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) .
A student may not declare any major in the College of Engineering and Computing if the student has previously met the termination criteria for that major at any time, regardless of what the student's major was at the time the courses were taken.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Foundation Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IT 102 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| IT 104 | Introduction to Computing (Mason Core) | 3 |
| IT 105 | IT Architecture Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 106 | Introduction to IT Problem Solving Using Computer Programming | 3 |
| or IT 109 | Introduction to Computer Programming | |
| IT 206 | Object Oriented Techniques for IT Problem Solving | 3 |
| or IT 209 | Introduction to Object Oriented Programming | |
| IT 216 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IT 207 | Applied IT Programming | 3 |
| IT 213 | Multimedia and Web Design | 3 |
| IT 214 | Database Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 223 | Information Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 300 | Modern Telecommunications | 3 |
| IT 304 | IT in the Global Economy | 3 |
| IT 341 | Data Communications and Network Principles | 3 |
| IT 342 | Operating Systems Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 343 | IT Project Management (Mason Core) | 3 |
| MBUS 300 | Accounting in a Global Economy | 3 |
| SYST 469 | Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Two-Semester Sequence of Approved Capstone Design Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IT 492 | Senior Design Project I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| IT 493 | Senior Design Project II (Mason Core) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 7 | |
Information Technology Concentrations
Students choose one of four concentrations from the list below. To be eligible to choose a concentration, a student must have a B or better grade in the concentration's gateway course. Students must satisfy all prerequisites and other requirements in order to take a concentration course, regardless of declared concentration.
Concentration Gateway Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Software Solutions (SWSL) | ||
| IT 206 | Object Oriented Techniques for IT Problem Solving | 3 |
| or IT 209 | Introduction to Object Oriented Programming | |
| IT 213 | Multimedia and Web Design | 3 |
| IT 214 | Database Fundamentals | 3 |
| Cyber Security (CYBR) | ||
| IT 223 | Information Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| AI Driven Solutions (ADRS) | ||
| IT 206 | Object Oriented Techniques for IT Problem Solving | 3 |
| or IT 209 | Introduction to Object Oriented Programming | |
| Computing Platforms and Infrastructure (CPI) | ||
| IT 341 | Data Communications and Network Principles | 3 |
Concentration Requirements:
To fulfill the requirements for a concentration, students need 15 credits made up of four courses from their chosen concentration and a fifth course chosen from any of the four concentrations. Students may choose to have two concentrations. To be eligible, the student must have a B or better in the gateway course for each concentration. Students must satisfy all prerequisites and other requirements in order to take a concentration course, regardless of declared concentration.
Dual Concentration Requirements:
If two concentrations are declared, the student must take four courses in each concentration, for a total of eight different concentration courses, and a total of 12 credits per concentration, with no overlap between the two concentrations.
Concentrations
- Software Solutions (SWSL)
- Cyber Security (CYBR)
- AI Driven Solutions (ADRS)
- Computing Platforms and Infrastructure (CPI)
Concentration in Software Solutions (SWSL)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Data Structures and Algorithms | ||
| Database Programming | ||
| Mobile Development | ||
| Health Data Challenges | ||
| Front-End Web Development | ||
| Web Development using Content Management Systems | ||
| Cyber Security of Data and Software | ||
| Rapid Development of Scalable Cloud Applications | ||
| Database Administration | ||
| Advanced Web Development | ||
| Application Development in Cloud | ||
| Select one additional course from this or any other concentration within this degree program | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Dual Concentration Requirements for Software Solutions (SWSL)
Students declaring more than one concentration in this major should use the following requirements for their Concentration in Software Solutions:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Data Structures and Algorithms | ||
| Database Programming | ||
| Mobile Development | ||
| Health Data Challenges | ||
| Front-End Web Development | ||
| Web Development using Content Management Systems | ||
| Cyber Security of Data and Software | ||
| Rapid Development of Scalable Cloud Applications | ||
| Database Administration | ||
| Advanced Web Development | ||
| Application Development in Cloud | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Cyber Security (CYBR)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Security Administration of Linux Systems | ||
| Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Election Security | ||
| Cyber Risk Management | ||
| Introduction to Network Forensics and Analysis | ||
| Applied Cyber Threat Analysis | ||
| Network Defense | ||
| Select one additional course from this or any other concentration within this degree program | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Dual Concentration Requirements for Cyber Security (CYBR)
Students declaring more than one concentration in this major should use the following requirements for their Concentration in Cyber Security:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Security Administration of Linux Systems | ||
| Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Election Security | ||
| Cyber Risk Management | ||
| Applied Cyber Threat Analysis | ||
| Network Defense | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in AI Driven Solutions (ADRS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Applied AI for IT | ||
| Applied Generative AI | ||
| Data Visualization and Analytics | ||
| Big Data Analytics with AI | ||
| Machine Learning for Information Sciences | ||
| Select one additional course from this or any other concentration | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Dual Concentration Requirements for AI Driven Solutions (ADRS)
Students declaring more than one concentration in this major should use the following requirements for their Concentration in AI Driven Solutions:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Applied AI for IT | ||
| Applied Generative AI | ||
| Data Visualization and Analytics | ||
| Big Data Analytics with AI | ||
| Machine Learning for Information Sciences | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Computing Platforms and Infrastructure (CPI)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Web Server Administration | ||
| Cloud Infrastructure | ||
| Advanced Networking Principles | ||
| Cloud Services Management | ||
| Big Data on Cloud Systems | ||
| Cloud Security | ||
| Cloud Operations | ||
| Select one additional course from this or any other concentration within this degree program | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Dual Concentration Requirements for Computing Platforms and Infrastructure (CPI)
Students declaring more than one concentration in this major should use the following requirements for their Concentration in Computing Platforms and Infrastructure:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Web Server Administration | ||
| Cloud Infrastructure | ||
| Advanced Networking Principles | ||
| Cloud Services Management | ||
| Big Data on Cloud Systems | ||
| Cloud Security | ||
| Cloud Operations | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Other Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 7 credits of natural science, including at least one 4-credit course with lab 1 | 7 | |
| COMM 100 | Public Speaking (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or COMM 101 | Fundamentals of Communication (Mason Core) | |
| IT 293 | IT Degree and Careers Overview | 1 |
| Select one of the following | 3-4 | |
| Introductory Calculus with Business Applications (Mason Core) | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 14-15 | |
- 1
Students should choose these from the list of courses approved for Mason Core (these credits can also apply toward Mason Core requirements).
Additional Mason Core
Students must complete all Mason Core requirements not fulfilled by major requirements. All students must complete at least 24 credits of social science and humanities coursework, which is normally satisfied by the 24 credits of Mason Core social science and humanities courses listed here, including COMM 100 Public Speaking (Mason Core) or COMM 101 Fundamentals of Communication (Mason Core).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by IT 343 IT Project Management (Mason Core).
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select additional coursework to bring the total number of credits to 120 | 8-9 | |
| Total Credits | 8-9 | |
Bachelors of Science in Information Technology Sample Plan of Study
Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cec.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-academic-advising.
- Information Technology, BS/Information Systems, Accelerated MS
- Information Technology, BS/Software Engineering, Accelerated MS
- Information Technology, BS/Digital Forensics, Accelerated MS
- Information Technology, BS/Telecommunications, Accelerated MS
- Information Technology, BS/Applied Information Technology, Accelerated MS
- Information Technology, BS/AI: Artificial Intelligence, Accelerated MS
Information Technology, BS/Information Systems, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Information Technology, BS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Information Systems, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Information Technology, BS program may apply to this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits and take graduate level courses after completion of 75 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. Criteria for admission are identical to the criteria for admission to the Information Systems, MS program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs, with a minimum of 3 credits (maximum 6 credits) overlapping from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CS 550 | Database Systems (satisfies IT 414 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| SWE 619 | Object-Oriented Software Specification and Construction (satisfies as one Software Solutions concentration course in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
Note:
Students must complete MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core) as their discrete math requirement and IT 306 or IT 309 Data Structures and Algorithms in Python as part of their concentration requirements in the BS program.
Students must also satisfy all the CS foundation requirements prior to admission.
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.
Information Technology, BS/Software Engineering, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Information Technology, BS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Software Engineering, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Information Technology, BS program may apply to this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits and take graduate level courses after completion of 75 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Software Engineering, MS Program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs, with a minimum of 3 credits (maximum 6 credits) overlapping from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CS 550 | Database Systems (satisfies IT 414 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| SWE 619 | Object-Oriented Software Specification and Construction (satisfies as one Software Solutions concentration course in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
Note:
Students must complete MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core) as their discrete math requirement and IT 306 or IT 309 Data Structures and Algorithms in Python as part of their concentration requirements in the BS program.
Students must also satisfy all the CS foundation requirements prior to admission.
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.
Information Technology, BS/Digital Forensics, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Information Technology, BS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Digital Forensics, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Information Technology, BS program may apply for this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits and take graduate level courses after completion of 75 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.25. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Digital Forensics, MS program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs, with a minimum of 3 credits (maximum 9 credits) overlapping from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DFOR 510 | Digital Forensics Analysis (satisfies a CYBR core) | 3 |
| DFOR 660 | Network Forensics (satisfies IT 357 in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| DFOR 663 | Operations of Intrusion Detection for Forensics (satisfies one CYBR concentration course in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.
Information Technology, BS/Telecommunications, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Information Technology, BS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Telecommunications, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Information Technology, BS program may apply for this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits and take graduate level courses after completion of 75 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.00. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Telecommunications, MS program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs, with a minimum of 3 credits (maximum 9 credits) overlapping from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select nine credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Modern Telecommunications (To satisfy the IT 300 BS, INFT requirement) | ||
| Internet Protocol Routing: Lecture and Laboratory Course (satisfies as one Computing Platforms and Infrastructure concentration course in the BS INFT program) | ||
| Voice Over IP (satisfies as one Computing Platforms and Infrastructure concentration course in the BS INFT program) | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.
Information Technology, BS/Applied Information Technology, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the combined bachelor's and accelerated master's degree pathway program (accelerated master's) and obtain an Information Technology, BS and an Applied Information Technology, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits (total number of required credits depends on the requirements of both the undergraduate and graduate programs).
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated master’s degree program must fulfill all university
requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and accelerated master's degree policies.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits and with an overall GPA of at least 3.30.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and any pathway-specific course pre-requisites.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students already admitted to the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the intended master’s program, if they have met the following criteria, that will be verified:
- Submission of BAM Transition Form by stated deadline.
- Sufficient minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for conferred undergraduate degree (which does not include any earned reserve graduate credits).
- Completion of approved advanced standing courses and any reserve graduate courses that have met the minimum grade requirement.
- Successful completion of required minimum of 120 credits needed for undergraduate degree conferral (after exclusion any satisfactory reserve graduate credits earned).
- Successfully meeting George Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and timely submitting the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree
programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses: Students must complete at least 3 credits from the following list of graduate-level courses, while in undergraduate status, up to a maximum of 12 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AIT 512 | Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials (satisfies the IT 306 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| AIT 524 | AI-Augmented Database Management Systems (satisfies the IT 314 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| AIT 536 | Foundations of Applied AI (satisfies IT 371) | 3 |
| AIT 542 | Fundamentals of Computing Platforms (satisfies the IT 342 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| AIT 580 | Foundations of Data Processing (satisfies the IT 374 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| AIT 618 | Human-AI Interaction (satisfies SYST 469) | 3 |
| AIT 646 | Introduction to Applied Machine Learning (satosfies IT 416) | 3 |
| AIT 664 | Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization (satisfies IT 373 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| AIT 670 | Cloud Computing Security (satisfies IT 481) | 3 |
| AIT 682 | Network and Systems Security (satisfies the IT 366 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
Reserve credit courses: Students may complete up to 6 credits, while in undergraduate student status, of graduate-level coursework from the list above that will only count toward the graduate degree program.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree and AP.1. Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates.
Information Technology, BS/AI: Artificial Intelligence, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the combined bachelor's and accelerated master's degree pathway program (accelerated master’s) and obtain the Information Technology, BS and an AI: Artificial Intelligence, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits (total number of required credits depends on the requirements of both the undergraduate and graduate programs).
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated master’s degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and accelerated master's degree policies.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.3.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students already admitted to the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the intended master's program, if they have met the following criteria, that will be verified:
- Submission of BAM Transition Form by stated deadline.
- Sufficient minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for conferred undergraduate degree (which does not include any earned reserve graduate credits).
- Completion of approved advanced standing courses and any reserve graduate courses that have met the minimum grade requirement.
- Successful completion of required minimum of 120 credits needed for undergraduate degree conferral (after exclusion any satisfactory reserve graduate credits earned).
- Successfully meeting Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and timely submitting the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses: Students must complete at least 3 credits from the following list of graduate-level courses, while in undergraduate status, up to a maximum of 12.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AII 600 | Foundations and Practice of Machine Learning for Artificial Intelligence (satisfies IT 416) | 3 |
| AIT 536 | Foundations of Applied AI (satisfies IT 371) | 3 |
| AIT 618 | Human-AI Interaction (satisfies SYST 469) | 3 |
| AIT 670 | Cloud Computing Security (satisfies IT 481) | 3 |
Reserve Credit Courses: Students may complete up to 6 credits, while in undergraduate status, of graduate-level coursework that will only count toward the graduate degree program. Reserve graduate credit must be selected from courses that fulfill AI: Artificial Intelligence, MS degree requirements.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree and AP.1 Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates.