Admission Information

Master of Public Administration

Thank you for your interest in George Mason’s MPA program, a program designed to build the knowledge base and skills of professionals who play, or aspire to play, leadership roles in organizations that develop or implement public policy.  The program attracts practicing professionals in the national capital area, as well as those just out of college who wish to develop careers in federal, state or local government.

Applicants to the program have a broad range of undergraduate majors and professional work experience, but typically have a demonstrated interest in government, policy, international affairs, and management.  Graduates pursue careers in government agencies, state and local government, nongovernmental organizations, and nonprofit management.  To learn more about the program, we encourage applicants to attend one of our regularly held information sessions.

We hope the information below will assist you as you complete the application process.  The faculty committee on admissions reviews applications for both the fall and spring semesters, and encourages early applications.  Applications submitted after the deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.  In the admissions review process, all elements of an application are evaluated carefully:  past academic performance, rigor of the course selection, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, writing sample, professional experience, and “match” with the program. 

Fall Application Deadlines

February 1 Applicants with international credentials
March 15

Early deadline for domestic applicants and those applying for Teaching or Research Assistantships (TA/RA)
April 15 Domestic applicants who do not wish to be considered for a TA or RA

Spring Application Deadlines

October 1 Applicants with international credentials
November 1

Domestic applicants

 

Application Requirements

(1) Graduate Application Form and Payment of Application Fee

We highly recommend that you apply using the online application found at http://admissions.gmu.edu.  To use the online application, you must pay the application fee by credit card.  Alternately, you may download a paper application form from the same website, and pay the application fee by check, issued from a United States bank, or money order.
(2) Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates (if a resident of Virginia)
(3) Official Transcripts from all colleges, universities, and professional institutions attended
(4) Letters of Recommendation, preferably from faculty members or those who can evaluate your academic potential
(5) Goals Statement  (750 – 1,000 words)

  • Please include your personal qualities and development and how they have influenced your career choice; your reasons for considering this particular degree program in relation to your academic background, professional work experience, and career goals; and your reason for selecting your program at George Mason University.

(6) GRE – General Exam Scores

  • Official GRE scores should be sent from ETS to George Mason University, institutional code:  5827. 
  • Applicants may petition the admissions committee by letter to waive the exam if the student currently holds a master’s degree or an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.30 or above from a domestic institution.  Please submit a written GRE waiver request when sending in all other admissions support documentation. 

(7) Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Information about the Self-Managed

Application Process

  • If you apply using the online application, which we strongly encourage, your application will be will be sent electronically to the Office of Graduate Admissions for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS).  If you apply online, please follow the self-managed application process to submit all other application support materials.  The self-managed application process requires applicants to collect and submit in a standard 9-by-12-inch envelope all supporting documents, e.g.: official transcripts (in official sealed envelopes), letters of recommendation (in sealed envelopes), goals statement, writing sample, and resume.  In the return address field on the envelope, please print your name, address, program, and term for which you are applying and send to the address below.  At the same time, please contact ETS directly to request that GRE scores be sent electronically to George Mason University.
  • Alternately, you may apply using the paper application form, which can be downloaded from the web site noted above.  If you apply using the paper application form, please also follow the self-managed application process: submit the paper application and all supporting documents in a standard 9-by-12-inch envelope to the address below.  In the return address field on the envelope, please print your name, address, program, and term for which you are applying and send to the address below.  At the same time, please contact ETS directly to request that GRE scores be sent electronically to George Mason University. 

Office of Graduate Admissions
College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)
George Mason University
4400 University Dr., MS: 2D2
Fairfax, VA  22020-4444 

Please note: the Mail Stop Number (MS: 2D2) is critical in the address of the graduate admissions office for the college.  If any of your support documents are sent separately to the university, make sure that the Mail Stop Number is included in the address.  Failure to follow this procedure could result in processing delays or lost documents.

Applicants Applying with International Credentials


In addition to the providing the application and support documents described above, international applicants and domestic applicants applying with international credentials need to provide the following:

  • Proof of English proficiency in the form of official score reports from TOEFL or IELTS exam
  • Two official transcripts, mark sheets, and degree certificates or diploma sent directly to George Mason University at the address noted above by previously attended institutions
  • Official word-for-word translations of all documents
  • An international credential evaluation, either through George Mason University (free) or through a credential evaluation service found at http://www.naces.org.

If seeking F-1 or J-1 immigration status

  • A completed International Student Information Form (Form for Applicants Seeking F-1 or J-1 Student Visas)
  • Copy of identification page of passport
  • Financial Support Statement – completed and signed by you, your parents, and/or sponsor
  • Financial verification document:  original bank statement(s)

Complete information for international applicants, including links to translation services, forms, and instructions may be found at: http://admissions.gmu.edu/global/StudentRequirements.asp.

Admissions Questions
CHSS Office of Graduate Admissions
chssgrad@gmu.edu
(703) 993-3699
College Hall, Room C-119
Fairfax Campus
http://chss.gmu.edu/chss/howtoapply

Last updated:  April 7, 2008

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