Banner Code: IN-MS-P002
Graduate International Pathways to master's degrees in the College of Science
INTO Mason provides nine Graduate International Pathways for international students to enter various graduate degrees in the College of Science (COS) 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 Science at GMU:
- Applied and Engineering Physics
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Earth Systems Science
- Environmental Science and Policy
- Forensic Science
- Geographic and Cartographic Sciences
- Mathematics
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. Eight of the nine COS pathways have one-term options available.
- 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 nine COS pathways have two-term options available.
- Bridge pathway: This pathway provides 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 their degree-seeking program with several graduate credits completed as determined by the graduate degree program.
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
- Any or all of the above
- 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
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
Applied and Engineering Physics Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Applied and Engineering Physics degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| PHYS 502 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics | 3 |
| or PHYS 684 | Quantum Mechanics I |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Applied and Engineering Physics degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| PHYS 513 | Applied Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| or PHYS 685 | Classical Electrodynamics I |
| Total Credits | 9 |
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated, 1-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Applied and Engineering Physics degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 508 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| PHYS 502 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics | 3 |
| or PHYS 684 | Quantum Mechanics I |
| PHYS 705 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology/Management Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology / Management degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| BINF 631 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| or BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology / Management degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| BINF 631 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| or BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods |
| Total Credits | 9 |
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated, 1-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology / Management degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 508 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| BINF 631 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| or BINF 634 | Bioinformatics Programming |
| BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods | 3 |
| or BINF 633 | Molecular Biotechnology |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Computational Science Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Computational Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| CSI 695 | Scientific Databases | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Computational Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| CSI 690 | Numerical Methods | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated, 1-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Computational Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 508 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| CSI 690 | Numerical Methods | 3 |
| CSI 695 | Scientific Databases | 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Earth Systems Science Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Earth Systems Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| or GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods |
| or GGS 579 | Remote Sensing |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Earth Systems Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| GEOL 513 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| or GEOL 532 | Paleoclimatology |
| CLIM 512 | Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| or GEOL 506 | Soil Science |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated, 1-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Earth Systems Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 508 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| or GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods |
| or GGS 579 | Remote Sensing |
| GEOL 506 | Soil Science | 3 |
| or GEOL 513 | Hydrogeology |
| or GEOL 532 | Paleoclimatology |
| or CLIM 512 | Physical Oceanography |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Environmental Science and Policy Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| EVPP 506 | Science of the Environment I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| EVPP 507 | Science of the Environment II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated, 1-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 508 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Forensic Science Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Forensic Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Forensic Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 570 | Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated, 1-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Forensic Science degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 508 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Geographic and Cartographic Sciences Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| GGS 551 | Cartographic Design | 3 |
| or GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems |
| or GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods |
| or GGS 579 | Remote Sensing |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| 6 |
| Cartographic Design | |
| Geographic Information Systems |
| Quantitative Methods |
| Remote Sensing |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the single semester of the accelerated, 1-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 508 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines III | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| 6 |
| Cartographic Design | |
| Geographic Information Systems |
| Quantitative Methods |
| Remote Sensing |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Mathematics Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Mathematics degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 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 |
| MATH 315 | Advanced Calculus I | 3 |
| or MATH 675 | Linear Analysis |
| Total Credits | 12 |
The following grid is for the second semester of the standard, 2-semester pathway into the Master of Science in Mathematics degree:
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 405 | Special Topics in Advanced English for Academic Purposes | 1 |
| INYO 508 | Special Topics Content Support in the Disciplines | 1 |
| MATH 321 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 621 | Algebra I |
| MATH 322 | Advanced Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
