FAQs for MA
We’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our MA program and admissions process. Whether you're just beginning your research or ready to apply, the information below addresses key topics related to admission requirements, cost of attendance, funding, and the structure of our program. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, we encourage you to contact us at clsgrad@gmu.edu for further assistance.
Admission Requirements
The general university graduate admission eligibility requirements are as follows:
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An earned baccalaureate from an institution of higher education accredited by a George Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent, verified from official transcripts.
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A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in baccalaureate study.
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All George Mason graduate applicants must meet the University's English proficiency standard.
The GRE is required for admission to the MA and PhD programs in Criminology, Law and Society; we do not waive this requirement.
We review applications holistically and consider all application materials submitted when making admissions decisions. As a general benchmark, the average GRE score for students admitted to the PhD program in the last few years ranged from 308-312 (combined verbal and quantitative).
- To submit your scores, please use Institution Code 5827. GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.
- GRE scores are attached to your application after you pay the application fee and submit your application for processing. You can verify your GRE scores have been added and the requirement has been met from your application dashboard.
You do not need to secure a faculty advisor before submitting your application and contacting faculty before applying is not required. Instead, use your goals statement to identify the faculty member(s) whose research interests align with your own and explain why you are interested in working with them. This information helps the admissions committee assess your fit with the program. If you choose to contact faculty before applying, you are welcome to do so, but it is entirely optional and will not affect your application.
We do not offer conditional or provisional admission for any of our graduate programs.
Applicants to our graduate programs pay a non-refundable $75 application fee. We do offer a limited number of application fee waivers for the MA and PhD programs per application cycle. To request a fee waiver, applicants should email the following information to clsgrad@gmu.edu:
- Provide 1-2 paragraphs explaining the nature/rationale for the application fee waiver request
- Confirm there is an in-progress application for the program and the term (i.e., semester/year)
- Provide current resume/CV
- Confirm the GRE general test has been taken within the last five years
Applicants will be notified of the decision via email and if approved, we will provide details on how to apply the fee waiver to the application.
International Admission Requirements
All George Mason students must have full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, George Mason requires that applicants demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. English proficiency may be demonstrated by an exam or a waiver. Full details are available here.
All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Office of Admissions. George Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts; however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Complete information about international transcript requirements, to include translation and equivalency evaluation criteria, can be found here.
Cost and Funding
The total cost for the 30-credit MA program (tuition & fees) is approximately $23,000 for in-state students and $52,000 for out-of-state/international students.
We encourage applicants to review the Graduate Division's website to learn more about financial support options available to graduate students.
Current graduate tuition and fees can be found here under the most recent academic year “Per Credit Rate Hour.” Please review the tuition and fees under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences section of the table. To calculate the total cost of the program: add the in-state (or out-of-state, as applicable) tuition rate plus the mandatory student fee amount, then multiply by 30 credits.
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MA tuition: use “All CHSS programs” figures.
NOTE: International students are assessed at the Out-of-State rate unless they have a qualifying Graduate Assistantship that provides an in-state tuition waiver.
Graduate degrees are an investment, and financial support is available.
We encourage applicants to review the Graduate Division's on-campus funding resources for graduate students and frequently asked funding questions webpages for more information about funding options.
Internal and external scholarships are available to students, as well as loan options for financing your education. Note: Students enrolled at the master’s level may not qualify for all types of funding listed on these webpages.
Most students in our master's programs work full- or part-time while attending Mason. Although we do not offer department-sponsored funding at the master's level, master's students can apply for on-campus assistantships in other offices and CLS faculty members occasionally hire MA or MS students to assist with their research.
Program Structure
The MA is a research-focused degree geared toward students who want to pursue a PhD and go on to research/academic careers. MA students learn to conduct research and complete a thesis as their culminating requirement. The MS degree is more policy/practice-oriented and is suitable for students who want to learn how to apply research in practice and who are interested in pursuing more ‘frontline’ or leadership careers in the criminal justice field.
Here is a helpful resource that outlines the key differences between the two programs.
The MA in Criminology, Law and Society is an excellent choice for students who plan to pursue doctoral study. The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in criminological theory, research methods, and analytical skills while providing opportunities to engage with faculty and develop independent research. These experiences help prepare graduates for the academic and research expectations of PhD programs.
Students who complete our MA program and are later admitted to our PhD in Criminology, Law and Society can apply all 30 credits toward the PhD requirements.
Students can enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. Full-time at the graduate level is 9 credits (3 classes).
Applicants wishing to pursue the program part-time should carefully consider the university’s time limits (AP.6.9.2 for master's degrees). If admitted and you choose to enroll, we schedule a detailed advising appointment to develop your personalized program of study and timeline.
The MA program admits in the fall only, offers classes in fall and spring only, and is typically completed in two academic years.
All graduate-level classes offered by our department meet once per week and are typically scheduled in-person on the Fairfax, Virginia campus. We do not offer any fully online graduate programs in our department though doctoral students may have greater flexibility for remote study once they complete their coursework.
MA/PhD classes are usually scheduled between 10:30am and 4:10pm with an occasional class that starts at 4:30pm. We do not typically schedule classes on Fridays or weekends.
All of our MA/PhD classes are taught by members of the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society.