Graduate Admissions

George Mason University’s School of Business offers a variety of graduate programs that help students stand out in today's job market while fulfilling their educational and professional aspirations. 

Thank you for choosing to apply for graduate studies in the School of Business at George Mason University. In order to be successful in the application process, it is important that you follow the steps below and submit all required supporting documents. 

The School of Business takes a holistic approach to admissions. No portion of the portfolio is weighted more than another; the admissions committee considers the entire application to ensure that they have a complete profile of a candidate’s professional and academic qualifications.

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Where to Start

Each of our graduate programs has specific eligibility and application requirements in addition to the university's general admissions requirements. For more detailed information, please review your specific program's requirements below. Some items take several weeks or even months to complete, so it's best to look ahead to help you plan out your application.

Program-Specific Application Requirements 

MBA Program

Eligibility Requirements  

  • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
  • A minimum of two years of full-time, post-baccalaureate professional employment. Military experience and non-traditional backgrounds will be strongly considered.

Recommended Prerequisite

  • Successful completion of a calculus, algebra, or statistics class is recommended prior to enrolling in the MBA program.

Fall Deadlines:

  • Priority: February 1 
  • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
  • Final: August 1

Application Links & Fee:

College Transcripts

  • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

Goals Statement:

  • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University School of Business MBA program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

Two Professional Letters of Recommendation:

  • The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

Current Resume

Optional Requirement:

  • GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment Scores The MBA is now test-optionalhowever, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.

Certificate Admission Pathway

  • The application fee, goals statement, and letters of recommendation requirement will be waived for applicants who have completed at least two courses in the business analytics or business fundamentals graduate certificate with grades of B or better.

Learn more about the MBA program here.

Master of Science in Accounting

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must have at a minimum, a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Must either be an accounting major or have completed at least 27 college credits in accounting

Fall Deadlines:

  • Priority: February 1 
  • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
  • Final: August 1

Application Link & Fee

Traditional Pathway

Admission Requirements

  • College Transcript Requirement:  We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.
  • Goals Statement: Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University School of Business MS in accounting program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 
  • Two Professional Letters of Recommendation: The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.
  • Current Resume
  • Optional Requirement: 
    • GMAT or GRE Scores: The MSA is now test-optionalhowever, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.
  • Certificate Admission Pathway: The application fee, goals statement, and letters of recommendation requirement will be waived for applicants who have completed at least two courses in any accounting graduate certificate with grades of B or better.

    Accounting Advisory Coucil Pathway

    For applicants who have had an internship, have an internship offer, and/or are currently employed with any of the following Accounting Advisory Council organizations

    • Application Requirements
      • Unofficial Transcript
      • Current Resume
      • Internship/Employment Offer Letter: Instead of submitting two letters of recommendation, you will submit your internship offer letter or a letter of support from the accounting organization with which you are aligned. Please upload an offer letter where it asks "Please upload your internship offer letter". 
    • Waived Application Requirements
      • Letters of Recommendation 
      • Goals Statement: Waived with this admissions pathway.

    Certificate Pathway

    For applicants who are currently enrolled (and have taken at least two courses) in the forensic accounting, government accounting, accounting for government contracts, or accounting analytics certificate programs, or have graduated from one of the certificate programs.

    • Eligibility Requirements
      • Must have earned grades of B or better in courses taken as part of the certificate program.
    • Application Requirements
      • Current Resume
    • Waived Application Requirements
      • Goals Statement
      • Letters of Recommendation

    Learn more about the MS in accounting program here.

    Master of Science in Business Analytics

    Eligibility Requirements:

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Goals Statement:

    • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University School of Business MS in Business Analytics program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

    One Professional Letter of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for your recommender. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommender via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

    Current Resume

    GMAT or GRE Scores:

    • GMAT or GRE Score The MSBA is test-optionalhowever, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.

    Learn more about the MS in business analytics program here.

    Master of Science in Finance

    Eligibility Requirements:

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Goals Statement:

    • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University School of Business MS in Finance program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

    Two Professional Letters of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information. If you are a current Mason undergraduate student, one of the letters must be from a professor in your major department or school.

    Current Resume

    GMAT or GRE Scores:

    • Waivers are available. Waivers will be considered for candidates who have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. You can request a waiver as part of your application. You must submit your application before we can process your waiver request.

    Learn more about the MS in finance program here.

    Master of Science in Management

    Eligibility Requirements

    • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
    • Must be a non-business major
    • No more than two years of professional work experience

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Goals Statement

    • Outlining what you would like us to know about you as we consider your candidacy for the George Mason University School of Business MS in Management program. Examples include "Why are you interested in the program?", "What are your career goals?", "Why George Mason University?",  or "What can you offer to the classroom?". 

    One Letter of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for one recommender. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

    Current Resume

    Optional Requirement:

    • GMAT or GRE Score The MSM is now test-optionalhowever, if you would like to submit a test score with your application, we invite you to do so. Applicants are not penalized in the application review process for electing to not submit a test score.

    Certificate Admission Pathway

    • The application fee, goals statement, and letters of recommendation requirement will be waived for applicants who have completed at least two courses in the business fundamentals graduate certificate with grades of B or better.

    Learn more about the MS in management program here.

    Master of Science in Real Estate Development

    Eligibility Requirements:  

    • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
    • Two years of professional work experience is preferred, but not required.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 1
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 1
    • Final: January 5

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Goals Statement:

    Addressing the following points, in 1-3 pages:

    • Your current experience or interest in commercial real estate
    • Your professional goals and how an MS in real estate development will help you further those goals
    • Anything else you would like us to know as we consider your candidacy for this program. If you are not currently working in the real estate industry (either directly or peripherally), please explain your interest in pursuing an MS in real estate development and comment on the transferable skills that you believe will allow you to engage with our material and contribute in the classroom.

    Two Professional Letters of Recommendation:

    • The application will ask you to submit contact information for two recommenders. An invitation to submit a letter of recommendation will be sent to your recommenders via email immediately upon entering and saving their information.

    Current Resume

    There is no test requirement for the MS in real estate development program.

    Learn more about the MS in real estate development program here.

    Master of Science in Technology Management

    The application for this program is currently closed. To be notified of future program updates, click here to submit this form.

    PhD in Business

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadline:

    • January 15 
    • All required documents must be received by this date. This includes completed letters of recommendation. If an international degree holding candidate is utilizing George Mason's internal evaluation service, only the documents required to complete the evaluation must be submitted by January 15th.

    Application Link & Fee: 

    Official GMAT/GRE Scores

    The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants. This test must be taken within the past five years from the application deadline.

    College Transcripts:

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Personal Statement

    • Statement of professional and academic mission and goals. Please indicate your concentration of interest: Organizational Behavior, Information Systems, Operations and Supply Chain Management, or Marketing. 

    Letters of Recommendation:

    • Three required, including at least one letter from a current or former professor, and one letter from a current or former supervisor.

    Current Resume

    Interview

    • Interviews are conducted by invitation only for selected applicants.

    Learn more about the PhD in business program here.

    Business Analytics Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements  

    • An earned baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
    • An undergraduate or graduate statistics or business analytics course.

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 1
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 1
    • Final: January 5

    Application Links & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in business analytics program here.

    Business Fundamentals Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 1
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 1
    • Final: January 5

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in business fundamentals program here.

    Accounting Analytics Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in accounting analytics program here.

    Forensic Accounting Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Spring Deadlines:

    • Priority: September 1
    • Standard and F1/J1: November 1
    • Final: January 5

    Application Link & Fee: 

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in forensic accounting program here.

    Government Accounting Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in government accounting program here.

    Accounting for Government Contracts Certificate

    Eligibility Requirements  

    Fall Deadlines:

    • Priority: February 1 
    • Standard and F1/J1: May 1
    • Final: August 1

    Application Link & Fee:

    College Transcript Requirement

    • We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term.

    Current Resume

    Learn more about the graduate certificate in accounting for government contracts program here.

    Global IT Leadership Certificate

    The application for this program is currently closed. To be notified of future program updates, submit this form.

    IT Strategy & Digital Transformation Certificate

    The application for this program is currently closed. To be notified of future program updates, click here to submit this form.

    JD/MBA Dual Degree

    Candidates interested in the JD/MBA dual-degree program at George Mason University must follow these steps to enroll in the JD/MBA properly.

    1. Read about JD Admission at George Mason University and the JD/MBA program.
    2. Connect with Antonin Scalia Law School JD Admissions regarding admission to the JD program. Make sure to mention your interest in the JD/MBA.
    3. Submit an application for the JD Program at George Mason by the required deadlines.
    4. Gain admission to the Law School and enroll in the JD program.
    5. Attend Orientation for your JD program.
    6. During the first month of your 1L year, connect with a representative of the School of Business Graduate Admission Team. We will guide you through the next steps of the MBA application process. Please be aware that the MBA program guarantees admission to all current JD students interested in the JD/MBA dual degree program.
    7. Enroll in the MBA program.

    To see a potential schedule, please visit the JD/MBA dual degree program page, hosted by the Law School.

     

    Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Programs

    If you are academically strong and currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at George Mason University, you may be approved to take up to 12 credits that will apply to both your current undergraduate degree and a future graduate degree program through our bachelors/accelerated master’s (BAM) program. Learn more about our Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's programs here

    Master's in Accounting

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible, you must:  

      • Be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in accounting.   
      • Complete ACCT 303 with a grade of C or better prior to (or concurrent with) application (Prior to academic year 2020-2 , ACCT 303 was numbered ACCT 330. These courses are equivalent.)   
      • Have earned at least 60 credits with a GPA of 3.0 or above (students may not enroll in graduate courses until they have earned 75 semester hours)   

      Application requirements for the BAM-MSA program:  

      Waived application requirements: 

      • Two Professional Letters of Recommendation 
      • Goals Statement  
      • GMAT/GRE Test Score 
      • Application Fee 

      Learn more about the master’s in accounting program here

      Master's in Business Analytics

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible to apply, you must:

      • Have earned at least 60 semester hours with a GPA of 3.00 or above

      Students may not enroll in graduate courses until they have also earned 75 semester hours.

      Application requirements for the BAM pathway:

      Waived application requirements:

      • Goals Statement
      • Professional Letter of Recommendation
      • Application Fee
      • GMAT/GRE Test Scores

      Learn more about the master’s in business analytics here.

      Master's in Finance

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible to apply, you must:  

      • Have earned at least 60 semester hours with a GPA of 3.25 or above
      • Must complete FNAN 303 with a grade of B or better prior to (or concurrent with) application.

      Students may not enroll in graduate courses until they have also earned 75 semester hours and B’s or better in three courses from the following list: FNAN 311, FNAN 321, FNAN 341, FNAN 401, FNAN 430, and FNAN 441. 

      Application requirements for the BAM pathway: 

      Waived application requirements: 

      • Goals Statement 
      • Two Professional Letters of Recommendation 
      • Application Fee   
      • GMAT/GRE Test Scores 

      Learn more about the master’s in finance program here

      Master's in Management

      Request more information here.

      To be eligible, you must:  

      • Be a non-business, Mason undergraduate 
      • Have a minimum 3.0 GPA 
      • Have earned at least 60 semester hours (students may not enroll in graduate courses until they have earned 75 semester hours) 

      Application requirements for the BAM-MSM program:  

      • Online application 
      • Academic transcript 
      • Goals statement 
      • Resume 
      • Interview with the program director 

      Waived application requirements: 

      • Professional Letter of Recommendation 
      • GMAT/GRE Test Score 
      • Application Fee 

      Learn more about the master’s in management program here.

      Make Sure Your Application is Complete

      To qualify for a specific deadline, an application must be complete. An application is not complete until all required application materials are submitted and processed. Please keep in mind that it may take two to four business days for the required application materials to be processed.

      • Priority Deadline: Ensures priority scholarship consideration and financial aid options. International students requiring visas are highly encouraged to apply by this deadline. Application fee waivers are available upon request for master’s programs. Contact admissions for more information.
      • Standard and F1/J1 Deadline: Candidates seeking scholarship assistance or financial aid options. International students requiring visas are encouraged to apply no later than this deadline.
      • Final Deadline: Programs will continue to review candidates for admission until this date OR until capacity is reached.

      Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders

      Depending on where your highest degree was earned, you will need to meet the following international admission requirements (in addition to the standard program requirements). For additional information on applying as an International Degree holder, please navigate to the university's degree holder admissions page.

      English Proficiency

      Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. For more detailed information, please visit the university’s English Proficiency Requirements page

      The university will not accept English-proficiency examination scores that are more than two years old. All scores must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the testing agency. 

      International students demonstrate proficiency by submitting: 

      IELTS (International English Language Testing System) George Mason University requires a 7.0 total band score, with a minimum of 6.5 in each subsection. All scores must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the testing agency. 

      Office of Graduate Admissions 
      George Mason University 
      4400 University Drive 
      Mail Stop Number 4C8 
      Fairfax, VA 22030 

      TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) George Mason University requires an 88 overall, minimum 20 in each section. When submitting your TOEFL score, use institution code 5827. Please do NOT enter a department code as this can delay your scores. 

      Duolingo English Test is an acceptable form of English proficiency through Spring 2024. George Mason University requires a 120 overall. Please email masongrad@gmu.edu after you have had your scores sent to George Mason University. 

      An English wavier will be provided for applicants who hold a conferred bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.​S.​ college or university accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or recognized university in: 

      • Anguilla
      • Antigua and Barbuda
      • Australia
      • Bahamas
      • Barbados
      • Belize
      • Bermuda
      • British Virgin Islands
      • Canada (excluding Quebec)
      • Cayman Islands
      • Dominica
      • Fiji
      • The Gambia
      • Ghana
      • Gibraltar
      • Grenada
      • Guyana
      • Ireland
      • Jamaica
      • Kenya
      • Lesotho
      • Malawi
      • Malta
      • Namibia
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • Seychelles
      • South Africa
      • St. Kitts and Nevis
      • St. Lucia
      • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
      • Trinidad and Tobago
      • Turks and Caicos Islands
      • United Kingdom
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe

      Transcripts/ Diploma

      For more information, see Mason’s International Transcript Guidelines.

      All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English and evaluated course by course by a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) recognized U.S. evaluation agency to determine degree equivalency. Mason provides this evaluation service free of charge, but more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation.  

      Students Requiring a F1/J1 Visa to Study in the U.S.

      Please see the International Student Visa Information page for more information on securing your student visa. 
       
      Application Deadlines: To qualify for a specific deadline, an application must be complete. A submitted application is not complete until all required application materials are submitted and processed. Please keep in mind that it may take 2-4 business days for the required application materials to be processed.

      • For programs starting in fall: Your application must be complete by May 1 
      • For programs starting in spring: Your application must be complete by November 1 

      INTO Mason

      Learn more about INTO Mason. Mason partners with INTO University Partnerships to create a support system for international students from application to graduation. Through INTO Mason's academic programs, you can start your university experience while improving your language and academic skills to the point where you can comfortably and confidently attend classes at Mason in any area of study. INTO Mason's Academic English, International Year One, and Graduate Pathways are designed to help students with their transition to degree study at Mason, while providing additional English, academic and cultural support.  

      Transfer Credit

      We will consider transferring graduate coursework earned from Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agencies and AACSB accredited programs. Transfer credit may be given for core courses or electives. To be considered for transfer, previous credits must have been earned within six years prior to enrollment at Mason, may not have been applied to a previous degree, and must have a grade of B or higher. See catalog policies AP.6.8AP.6.9, and AP.6.10 for limits on the number of credits that can be transferred or earned outside of Mason for certificate, Master’s, and doctoral programs, respectively. Students should submit a written request to their graduate program’s office to have their transcript evaluated for possible transfer credit. Course descriptions and/or syllabi must be submitted for each course to be evaluated. At the discretion of the program director, the student may be given a waiver of a core course rather than credit for the course. In the case of a waiver, the student is required to make up the credits by taking additional elective credits to complete their degree.