BRIDGE Program
The BRIDGE Program is a provisional admission opportunity for international students seeking a graduate degree from George Mason University. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive first-year experience for international graduate students, which includes academic credit-bearing coursework, educational acculturation, and student support services.
The BRIDGE Program offers graduate admission for international students in two tracks:
- Degree Enhancement Track creates a custom “fourth year” program for international students with three-year degrees, offering an opportunity to enhance one’s educational background with a customized academic program to prepare for graduate study at Mason.
- English Enrichment Track provides students who require a moderate amount of English language support to strengthen their credentials and ensure academic success.
BRIDGE admission is provisional admission to the individual academic program of choice, which provides more opportunities for international students to be admitted to Mason. In one preliminary year of study, international students take prescribed coursework to prepare them for the intense level of graduate study offered by Mason’s world-renowned graduate programs. Once the BRIDGE year is successfully completed, students may move directly into regular graduate study with no further applications.
The BRIDGE Degree Enhancement Track and English Enrichment Track are structured differently and therefore have separate admission qualifications, coursework, credits, tuition, and fees.
The BRIDGE Degree Enhancement Track andEnglish Enrichment Trackare structured differently and therefore have separate admission qualifications, coursework, credits, tuition, and fees.
The chart below indicates currently participating programs. Click on the links below to see a full listing of available academic programs for each unit:
| ELIGIBLE BRIDGE PROGRAMS (by track) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Mason Academic Unit
|
Degree Enhancement Track
|
English Enrichment Track
|
| College of Education and Human Development |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| College of Humanities and Social Sciences |
No
|
No
|
| College of Visual and Performing Arts |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| School of Management |
Yes
|
Yes |
| Volgenau School of Engineering |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| College of Health and Human Services |
No
|
No
|
| College of Science |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| The School of Law |
No
|
No
|
| School of Public Policy |
Yes
|
Yes
|
How to Apply
Individuals interested in BRIDGE admission should apply to the academic program of their choice. To be considered for BRIDGE admission, follow the instructions provided to you by the graduate program . Be sure to answer all the required questions on the admissions application, including those regarding “BRIDGE Eligibility” located in the International section of the online application.
In order to be admitted to BRIDGE, you must meet all of the regular admissions requirements for Mason graduate programs. You will be evaluated by the same methods and held to the same standards as all students applying to your graduate program. The only difference is that you have a three-year degree, OR you meet the alternative English proficiency examination minimums (not both).
If qualified, you will receive provisional admission to your graduate program for the year you are in BRIDGE. Upon successful completion of BRIDGE, your status will change to regular graduate admission.
The links below provide information to guide you on the graduate admissions process at Mason.
Related Links for More Information
- About the BRIDGE Program
Learn more about how BRIDGE can best fit your academic needs. - Degree Enhancement Track
Detailed information about the BRIDGE Degree Enhancement Track admission qualifications, coursework, credits, tuition, and fees for students with three-year bachelor degrees. - English Enrichment Track
Detailed information about the BRIDGE English Enrichment Track admission qualifications, coursework, credits, tuition, and fees for students who do not meet English Proficiency requirements for general admission for graduate study. - Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to specific questions about program structure, tuition costs, and more.