Program Description

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Instructions

Additional Information

Application to the Certificate Program Only

All students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university are eligible to apply.

Goals Statement (uploaded via online application): This essay demonstrates the applicant's writing ability and the background and credentials that qualify the applicant for certificate study at George Mason University. Applicants should also use this essay to express what they hope to achieve professionally and how the certificate can help achieve that. The essay should convey that applying to this program has been an informed and thoughtful process. 

Writing Sample: This document should be a formal piece of writing that demonstrates the applicant's ability to write at the graduate level, creating a thesis statement and using scholarly literature to make and support an argument.

International students with F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status are advised to refer to the University Catalog's Admission of International Students to learn more about policies relating to full-time status and time limits.

Application to Certificate Program as a Secondary Program

Applicants to the graduate certificate in higher education administration program who are already accepted or enrolled in a degree program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences must submit a Graduate Secondary Certificate Program Application.

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.