Graduate International Pathways to graduate degrees in the College of Public Health
INTO Mason provides five Graduate International Pathways for international students to enter various graduate degrees in the College of Public Health (CPH) at George Mason University. The pathways give students the academic foundation, essential language skills, and cultural knowledge to successfully move on to their graduate degree programs. For most students, enrolling in a Graduate International Pathway will add one additional semester to their overall degree program.
The following are the available Graduate International Pathways at INTO Mason to degrees in the College of Public Health at GMU:
- Health Informatics
- Health Systems Management
- Nutrition
- Public Health
- Social Work
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. Four of the five CPH pathways have one-term options available (all except Social Work).
- Two Term pathways (Standard): 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 CPH 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 four Business 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 Public Health:
Health Informatics Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Health Informatics degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| HAP 618 | Computational Tools in Health Informatics | 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 Health Informatics degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| HAP 670 | Introduction to Health Informatics | 3 |
| HAP 671 | Health Care Databases | 3 |
| 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, 1-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Health Informatics degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| HAP 618 | Computational Tools in Health Informatics | 3 |
| HAP 670 | Introduction to Health Informatics | 3 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
Health Systems Management Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Health Administration, Health Systems Management degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| HAP 715 | Health Economics | 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 Health Administration, Health Systems Management degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 | ||
| HAP 602 | Statistics in Health Services Management | 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 | 9 | |
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated, 1-semester Pathway into the Master of Health Administration, Health Systems Management degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| GCH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| HAP 602 | Statistics in Health Services Management | 3 |
| or HAP 715 | Health Economics | |
| 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 Health Administration, Health Systems Management degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| HAP 715 | Health Economics | 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 Health Administration, Health Systems Management degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| HAP 602 | Statistics in Health Services Management | 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.
Nutrition Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Nutrition degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| NUTR 295 | Introduction to Nutrition (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GCH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 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 | 15 | |
- 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 Nutrition degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 | ||
| NUTR 515 | Fundamentals of Cooking | 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 | 9 | |
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated, 1-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Nutrition degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| NUTR 295 | Introduction to Nutrition (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GCH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 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 Nutrition degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| NUTR 295 | Introduction to Nutrition (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GCH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
- 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 Nutrition degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| NUTR 515 | Fundamentals of Cooking | 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.
Public Health Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Public Health degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| GCH 604 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 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 Public Health degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| GCH 609 | Community Assessment and Partnerships | 3 |
| GCH 645 | U.S. and Global Public Health Systems | 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, 1-semester Pathway into the Master of Public Health degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| GCH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| GCH 604 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 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 Public Health degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| GCH 604 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 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 Public Health degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| GCH 609 | Community Assessment and Partnerships | 3 |
| GCH 645 | U.S. and Global Public Health Systems | 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 | |
- 1
A credit overload is required in this semester.
Social Work Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Social Work program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| SOCW 600 | Foundations of Social Work and Social Welfare | 3 |
| or SOCW 656 | Poverty, Oppression, and Inequity | |
| 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 Social Work program:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard semester 2 of 2 | ||
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| SOCW 659 | Organizing and Advocating for Change | 3 |
| or SOCW 656 | Poverty, Oppression, and Inequity | |
| INYO 505 | Intercultural Competence and Professional Development for Multilingual Graduate Students | 1 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Public Health Graduate Certificate, Generalized Concentration Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated, 1-semester Pathway into the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, Generalized Concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 1 | ||
| GCH 500 | Foundations of Public Health | 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 | 11 | |
Nutrition Graduate Certificate, Community Nutrition Concentration Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the single semester of the Accelerated Pathway to the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition with a Concentration in Community Nutrition:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 1 | ||
| NUTR 651 | Nutrition Assessment | 3 |
| or NUTR 566 | Nutrition and Weight Management | |
| Note: A second Nutrition related course may be available to students with closely related health sciences undergraduate degrees. | ||
| 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 | 11 | |
Nutrition Graduate Certificate, Food Security Concentration Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated pathway to the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition with a Concentration in Food Security:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 1 | ||
| NUTR 608 | Perspectives on Food Security | 3 |
| or NUTR 626 | Food Systems | |
| Note: A second Nutrition or related course may be available to students with closely related health sciences undergraduate degrees. | ||
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| Total Credits | 11 | |