Admitted Graduate Students

If you haven't already, confirm your intent to enroll through your application portal. Master's students will also use this portal to pay their tuition deposit. 

Activate your Mason NetID and password here. More detailed information on setting up your Patriot Pass can be found on the Information Technology Services (ITS) website. Prompt activation of your Mason NetID and password is important in order to access your Mason accounts and register for classes in a timely fashion.

Your claim code is a 6-digit representation of your date of birth in the MMDDYY format. For example, if your birthdate is March 10, 1986, your claim code should be 031086. Your G# can be found at the top of your admissions letter both in the application portal and in the PDF copy sent via email. If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Admissions Team at schar@gmu.edu.

Activate your Mason email account here. Additional information on logging into your Mason email can be found on the Information Technology Services (ITS) website. Once you have set up your email, check your account for any important information. All official information from Mason will come to your Mason email. You should also send correspondences from this account. 

Please review the Course Registration Information so you know what classes to take in your first semester. In the same document you will also find the name of your academic advisor who will help you with any course selection and registration questions you may have.  To see your program specific curriculum details, please review the Graduate Degree Requirements that correspond with your catalog year. 

FALL SEMESTER COURSES

SPRING SEMESTER COURSES

The academic advising team is here to help you as you prepare to begin coursework. 

You will be able to register for classes once:

• You have confirmed enrollment online through your application portal.
• You have activated your Mason NetID and password. Details about account activation can be found above in Step 2. (Note that you will need to wait 1-2 business days after confirming your enrollment online before you can activate your NetID and password.)

Once you have completed the above steps, you can log on to PatriotWeb to register for classes (a PatriotWeb student guide can be found here). 

The Schar School New Student Orientation is held the week before classes begin. The sessions will provide you with important information about the Schar School, the university, and the services you will use throughout your graduate program. Orientation is mandatory for incoming degree and certificate students and is for degree-seeking students only.

Fall Orientation program information will be available in early August.  Spring Orientation program information will be available in early November.

REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION HERE

Program directors, faculty, student services and admissions staff, and current students will be available to answer your questions. You may also take your student ID photo and purchase a parking permit at orientation.

If you are a non-degree seeking student, please visit the Admitted Non-Degree Graduate Students page.

• Turn in your Immunization Form(s) to Mason Student Health Services. Please refer to the Immunization website for due date information and note that a late fee may be assessed if required forms are not submitted by the stated deadlines. Virginia law requires ALL admitted university students to submit immunization documentation. Record forms should be submitted through the online patient portal. Students can additionally submit documentation to be transcribed by Student Health Services at no cost.

• Within your first semester of enrollment, official, final transcript submission is required for all previously earned degrees, including bachelor’s and higher, as part of our audit process. If you plan to request transfer or reduction of credits, official transcripts are also required from the college or university where those credits were earned, regardless of a degree being earned there or not. Check out Mason's page on Submitting Final Transcripts for more information.

Students are encouraged to upload their electronic photos for the Mason ID/Card online and then pick up their physical ID/Card from the Mason ID/Card Office. The Mason ID/Card Office is located in Van Metre Hall, Room 220 (located in the Campus Administration suite) on Mason Square or in Student Union Building 1, Room 1203 on the Fairfax Campus. Hours of operation and other details can be found on the Mason ID/Card Office website. The Mason ID/Card Office on Mason Square will also be open on the day of New Student Orientation.

If you are a virtual student, you can receive a virtual student ID. Visit the ID Office's portal, click the button "Virtual ID" on the left-hand side, and follow the instructions for your submission.

Please use the application portal to complete your visa application and upload any necessary documents. Additional information can be found on the Office of International Programs and Services website. 

Please be sure to attend the International Graduate Student Orientation held by the Office of International Programs and Services (in addition to the Schar School's New Student Orientation). Additional details about orientation and registration can be found here. 

Please review the Schar School Student Guide. The document contains important policies and procedures for the Schar School's master's programs, university resources, and the appropriate contact information for all campus entities, including your program director.

Tuition can be paid through PatriotWeb or through the Student Accounts Office. 

Please visit here for funding and scholarship information provided by the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Schar School also maintains a webpage that highlights graduate funding resources, including a list of external funding opportunities that you may browse and apply to independently.

PARKING
Decals can be purchased through the Parking Services Office. You must have a Mason student ID card and be registered for classes when purchasing a parking permit. Please note that Fairfax passes are not valid on Mason Square, but Mason Square passes are valid on both campuses.

METRO
Mason Square is conveniently located a short walk from the Virginia Square Metro station on the Orange and Silver lines. The Fairfax Campus is accessible by Mason shuttle or CUE bus from the Vienna/Fairfax Metro station on the Orange line. 

MASON SHUTTLE SERVICES
Mason's Shuttle Services provides free transportation to students with a valid Mason ID, including between the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square. For further information and updates, visit the Parking and Transportation website.

Off-campus housing information can be found here or through the Mason Square Housing Guide. Additional information can be found through the Housing and Residence Life website. 

Please note that students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to have health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in the Mason health plan. The health insurance fee will be reflected on your student account. If you currently have health insurance that meets Mason's criteria, you can apply for an exemption. Exemption applications must be received by Student Health Services before tuition payment is due. 

Eligible domestic students can enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan during Open Enrollment periods. Please visit the Student Health Services website for more information.

You may familiarize yourself with the Mason Square and Fairfax Campus maps. We are located on the 5th floor of Van Metre Hall on Mason Square and the 3rd floor of Research Hall on the Fairfax Campus. 

MASON SQUARE
Campus Address: 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201

Arlington is consistently ranked by Niche as one of the best cities to live and work in the entire U.S., and we know as a Schar School student you will have a rewarding experience in this vibrant neighborhood of Washington, D.C. We encourage you to get connected with Mason's University Life Mason Square Office and the other resources on Mason Square. For more information about events and services, visit the University Life Mason Square website.

FAIRFAX
Campus Address: 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

Mason's Fairfax Campus is located just 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C., giving you the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy all the benefits of living near the nation’s capital, while also feeling safe and right at home at one of the largest and most beautiful residential campuses in Virginia. University Life Fairfax provides further services and resources to support students on the Fairfax Campus.

Learn about Career Development resources at the Schar School specifically for students, with a dedicated staff to assist with your professional development and job search needs. Schar School Career Services offers workshops throughout the year and are always accessible if you would like to make an appointment to review your professional materials or conduct a mock interview. 

The Graduate Student Services Seminars is a signature program at the Schar School offered during the fall and spring semesters. The seminars focus on connecting students to academic and career resources; topics in the fall semester focus on graduate school success, while in the spring semester focus on career and professional success. 

For additional information on the program or to register, visit the Graduate Student Services Seminars website. 

Stay up to date with the latest news and events at the Schar School by following our social media. Share your excitement and use the hashtag #ScharSchool - we would love to feature you!

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You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel for past event highlights or join our LinkedIn group for networking and professional development.