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. Programs with the Bridge as an option will have the Bridge Program details listed under the Program Requirements section for the specific degree.
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| PHYS 502 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics | 3 |
| or PHYS 684 | Quantum Mechanics I | |
| 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 Applied and Engineering Physics degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 | ||
| PHYS 513 | Applied Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| or PHYS 685 | Classical Electrodynamics I | |
| 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, single-semester Pathway into the Master of Science in Applied and Engineering Physics degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| PHYS 502 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics | 3 |
| or PHYS 684 | Quantum Mechanics I | |
| PHYS 705 | Classical Mechanics | 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.
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| BINF 631 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| or BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods | |
| 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 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology / Management degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 | ||
| BINF 631 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| or BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods | |
| 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 Pathway into the Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology / Management degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| BINF 631 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| or BINF 634 | Bioinformatics Programming | |
| BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods | 3 |
| or BINF 633 | Molecular Biotechnology | |
| 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.
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| or GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods | |
| or GGS 579 | Remote Sensing | |
| 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 Earth Systems Science degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| GEOL 513 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| or GEOL 532 | Paleoclimatology | |
| CLIM 512 | Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| or GEOL 506 | Soil Science | |
| 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 Earth Systems Science degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| 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 | |
| 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.
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| EAP 506 | Graduate Communication in the Disciplines I | 4 |
| EVPP 506 | Science of the Environment I | 3 |
| 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 Environmental Science and Policy degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 | ||
| EVPP 507 | Science of the Environment II | 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 Pathway into the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| EVPP or PUAD course | 3 | |
| EVPP or PUAD course | 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.
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 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 Forensic Science degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 570 | Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts | 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 Science in Forensic Science degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 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 Forensic Science degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 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 Forensic Science degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Upper-level Undergraduate Course | 3 | |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 570 | Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts | 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.
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| GGS 551 | Cartographic Design | 3 |
| or GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | |
| or GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods | |
| or GGS 579 | Remote Sensing | |
| 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 Geographic and Cartographic Sciences degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| Required Major Courses (student will take two of the following): | 6 | |
| Cartographic Design | ||
or GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | |
or GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods | |
or GGS 579 | Remote Sensing | |
| 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 Geographic and Cartographic Sciences degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| Required Major Courses (student will take two of the following): | 6 | |
| Cartographic Design | ||
or GGS 553 | Geographic Information Systems | |
or GGS 560 | Quantitative Methods | |
or GGS 579 | Remote Sensing | |
| 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.
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| MATH 315 | Advanced Calculus I | 3 |
| or MATH 675 | Linear Analysis | |
| 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 Mathematics degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 1 | ||
| MATH 321 | Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 621 | Algebra I | |
| MATH 322 | Advanced Linear Algebra | 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.