Graduate International Pathway to master's degrees in the College of Visual and Performing Arts
INTO Mason provides Graduate International Pathways for international students to enter various graduate degrees in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) 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 is the available Graduate International Pathway at INTO Mason to degrees in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at GMU:
- Music
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. The Music pathway has the one-term option 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. The music pathway has the two-term option 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
- 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
Music Graduate Pathway
The following grid is for the first semester of the Standard, 2-semester Pathway into the Master of Music degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 of 2 1 | ||
| MUSI 685 | Graduate Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSI 721 | Applied Music | 2-3 |
| 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 | 12-13 | |
- 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 Music degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 of 2 | ||
| MUSI 721 | Applied Music | 2-3 |
| MUSI 685 | Graduate Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
| 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 | 9-10 | |
The following grid is for the first semester of the Accelerated, 1-semester Pathway into the Master of Music degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated semester 1 of 1 1 | ||
| MUSI 721 | Applied Music | 2-3 |
| MUSI 685 | Graduate Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
| INYO 504 | Transitions for International Graduate Students | 3 |
| EAP 507 | Advanced Graduate Communication Across the Disciplines | 4 |
| EAP 401 | Advanced English Grammar for Multilingual Students | 1 |
| Total Credits | 11-12 | |
- 1
A credit overload may be required in this semester.