Graduate International Pathways to master's degrees in Education and Human Development
INTO Mason provides three Graduate International Pathways for international students to enter various graduate degrees in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at George Mason University. The pathways give students the academic foundation, essential language skills, and cultural knowledge to successfully move on to their master's degree programs. For most students, enrolling in a Graduate International Pathway will add one additional semester to their overall master's degree program.
The following are the available Graduate International Pathways at INTO Mason to degrees in the College of Education and Human Development at GMU:
- Inclusive Early Childhood Education
- Educational Psychology
- Sport and Recreation Studies
The following are the types of pathways available:
- One Term pathways (Accelerated): These pathways lead students through their first semester of graduate school. Upon completion of all matriculation requirements, students will move on to their degree-seeking program often with several graduate credits completed as determined by the graduate degree program. All five CEHD pathways have one-term options available.
- Two Term pathways (Standard): These pathways lead students through their first year of graduate school. Upon completion of all matriculation requirements, students will move on to their degree-seeking program often with several graduate credits completed as determined by the graduate degree program. All five CEHD pathways have two-term options available.
- Bridge pathways: These pathways provide foundational coursework designed to substitute for an additional year of undergraduate academic coursework, to render students with three-year baccalaureate degrees eligible to move on to their graduate degree program. Students will often move on to those degree-seeking programs with several graduate credits completed as determined by the graduate degree program. All five CEHD pathways have Bridge options available.
INTO Mason Graduate Pathway Programs often require credit loads above the established 11-credit limit for non-degree students. These Pathways are built to provide additional language and cultural support to international and multilingual students seeking master's degrees via the Pathways. This support is reflected in the additional courses required for Graduate Pathway students, which result in a curriculum that exceeds the university's Academic Load policies. These required additional courses include English for Academic Purposes and Cultural Transition courses along with classes in their future degree programs. This academic load has resulted in better graduation rates overall for INTO Mason students as compared to their directly admitted classmates and similar GPAs. Each program’s requirement section indicates the semesters when an overload is required.
Graduate International Pathways are designed for international students who:
- Need further English language development. Students who require a moderate amount of English language support can enter all available International Pathways to strengthen their language proficiency and ensure their long-term academic success
- Fall short of meeting the minimum GPA or admission test score requirements
- Need to improve study skills for success in their chosen field of study
- Require a fourth year of undergraduate study. Students who hold three-year baccalaureate degrees that are not formally evaluated as equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree may enter many Graduate International Pathways. For these students, their pathway acts as a "bridge" enhancing their international educational background with academic coursework to meet the eligibility for admission to a GMU graduate degree program
- Any or all of the above
Administered through INTO Mason in partnership with the academic units across the university, the courses in each Graduate International Pathway are taught by highly qualified Mason instructional faculty members and supported by International Pathways academic advisors.
Students enrolled in any Graduate International Pathway should review the program's student guidebook for specific details related to program requirements and expectations.
Program Requirements
The following Graduate International Pathways are offered by INTO Mason in collaboration with the College of Education & Human Development
Inclusive Early Childhood Education Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Education in Inclusive Early Childhood Education:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| ECED 501 | Developmental Pathways of Diverse Learners, Birth-Adolescence | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| EAP 410 | Language Support for International Students | 2 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the second semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Education in Inclusive Early Childhood Education:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| ECED 504 | Engaging Families of Diverse Young Learners | 3 |
| ECED 503 | Inclusive Curriculum for Young Learners: Planning Instruction and Guidance | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated Pathway into the Master of Education in Inclusive Early Childhood Education:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| ECED 501 | Developmental Pathways of Diverse Learners, Birth-Adolescence | 3 |
| ECED 503 | Inclusive Curriculum for Young Learners: Planning Instruction and Guidance | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
Educational Psychology Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Educational Psychology degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| EDRS 590 | Education Research | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 410 | Language Support for International Students | 2 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the second semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Educational Psychology degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| EDRS 621 | Qualitative Inquiry in Education | 3 |
| or EDRS 620 | Quantitative Inquiry in Education | |
| EDEP 602 | Fundamentals of Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated Pathway into the Master of Science in Educational Psychology degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| EDRS 590 | Education Research | 3 |
| EDEP 602 | Fundamentals of Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the first semester of the Bridge Pathway into the Master of Science in Educational Psychology degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level undergraduate course | 3 | |
| EDRS 590 | Education Research | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
The following grid is for the second semester of the Bridge Pathway into the Master of Science in Educational Psychology degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level undergraduate course | 3 | |
| EDRS 621 | Qualitative Inquiry in Education | 3 |
| or EDRS 620 | Quantitative Inquiry in Education | |
| EDEP 602 | Fundamentals of Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Special Education, without concentration Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Education in Special Education, without concentration degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 410 | Language Support for International Students | 2 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the second semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Education in Special Education, without concentration degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| EDSE 619 | Principles and Procedures of Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated Pathway into the Master of Education in Special Education, without concentration degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the first semester of the Bridge Pathway into the Master of Education in Special Education, without concentration degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level undergraduate course | 3 | |
| EDSE 501 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
The following grid is for the second semester of the Bridge Pathway into the Master of Education in Special Education, without concentration degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level undergraduate course | 3 | |
| EDSE 517 | Computer Applications for Special Populations | 3 |
| EDSE 619 | Principles and Procedures of Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Sport and Recreation Studies Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Studies degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| SRST 606 | Foundations of Sport and Recreation Studies | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 410 | Language Support for International Students | 2 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the second semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Studies degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| SPMT 611 | Sport Marketing and Sales | 3 |
| or SPMT 612 | Economics and Financial Management in the Sport Industry | |
| or SPMT 618 | Psychology of Coaching | |
| SRST 606 | Foundations of Sport and Recreation Studies | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated Pathway into the Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Studies degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| SRST 606 | Foundations of Sport and Recreation Studies | 3 |
| RMGT 613 | Strategic Leadership in Recreation Administration | 3 |
| or SPMT 611 | Sport Marketing and Sales | |
| or SPMT 612 | Economics and Financial Management in the Sport Industry | |
| or SPMT 618 | Psychology of Coaching | |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the first semester of the Bridge Pathway into the Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Studies degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| SRST 606 | Foundations of Sport and Recreation Studies | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
The following grid is for the second semester of the Bridge Pathway into the Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Studies degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| RMGT 501 | Introduction to Natural Resources Law | 3 |
| or RMGT 533 | Visitor Services | |
| or SPMT 613 | Strategic Leadership in Sport Organizations | |
| or SPMT 614 | Legal Issues in Sport | |
| or SPMT 616 | Sport Operations, Venues, and Event Management | |
| SPMT 611 | Sport Marketing and Sales | 3 |
| or SPMT 612 | Economics and Financial Management in the Sport Industry | |
| or SPMT 618 | Psychology of Coaching | |
| or SPMT 613 | Strategic Leadership in Sport Organizations | |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.