Institutions and Inequalities Concentration
Other Concentrations
Become a Mason Graduate Student
All applicants for graduate study at George Mason University must meet the admission standards specified in the Admission chapter of the University Catalog.
You are responsible for submitting all required application materials by the posted deadline. Review your program's Admissions Requirements and Deadlines before you begin your application. You can also visit our Grad Admissions page for helpful hints on how best to prepare your transcripts and other Admissions materials.
Fall 2027 graduate degree seeking application opens August 15, 2026.
Additional Information
The goals statement should be from 500 to 700 words and describe the applicant's research interests.
The GRE will be waived due to ongoing issues related to the pandemic though applicants are welcome to submit scores if you think they will strengthen your application.
The writing sample should be academic such as a master's thesis, senior undergraduate thesis, a full-length research paper, a scholarly essay, or another sample of at least 20 pages that reflects the quality of the applicant's scholarship.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted for fall semester only. Application review will begin on January 15.
Applications for Fall 2026 will be accepted until June 1, 2026. Applications received by January 15, 2026 will be considered for GTA/GRA positions. Applications missing supplementary materials after June 1 will be considered until July 1, 2026.
For full consideration, it is recommended that internationally-educated students apply no later than November 15 as there are additional requirements to complete a graduate studies application:
- Transcript evaluation from a NACES approved agency. See International Graduate Requirements for details.
- English proficiency exam: English Proficiency Requirements
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact us with questions.
Additional Requirements for
English Proficiency Requirements
All Mason students must have a full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. Click here to view the requirements.
International Transcript Requirements
All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Mason Office of Admissions. Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts, however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Because of volume, more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation. You should submit your application 6 weeks prior to the deadline if you plan to utilize Mason’s free evaluation service. For expedited service, students may submit their documents to any NACES member organization at their own expense. If you decide to use an external evaluation service or if your program requires an outside evaluation, GPA and Degree equivalences must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. Mason evaluations are used for internal purposes and are not released to applicants. For information on international transcript requirements, go here.
Applicants intending to transfer courses from an international transcript into a degree program will require a course-by-course evaluation. The international transcript evaluation service offered by George Mason University's Evaluation Office does not include course-by-course evaluations; these must be performed by a NACES member organization.
International student visa questions should be directed to the Office of International Programs and Services.
You have the option to take graduate courses in non-degree status. To apply, you must complete an online application for your intended start term and include transcripts as well as a resume. You will also be required to indicate on the application which courses you plan to take for approval during the application review process. Credits earned in non-degree status may potentially transfer to a degree program at a later date so long as it meets the program requirements and the program director approves the transfer. For information on transfer credit policies, please refer to the University Catalog.
Non-Degree Requirements
| College Transcripts | Goals Statement | GRE | Portfolio | Recommendation Letters | Resume | Writing Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Required |
Application deadlines for graduate non-degree coursework differ from program deadlines. For additional information on the non-degree application process and deadlines please refer to Applying for Non-Degree Graduate Study.