Is George Mason University a Good School?
It offers a variety of on-campus and online programs to traditional and nontraditional students, but is George Mason University a good school? We've got everything you need to know.
George Mason University is a public research university in Fairfax, Virginia, a city in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.
The university serves both traditional and nontraditional students, but is George Mason University a good school?
It is, due to its wide range of excellent programs. We dive into more detail below.
Is George Mason University Accredited?
George Mason University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
At the institutional level, colleges and universities in the United States can be either regionally or nationally accredited.
Regional accreditation is most common and is generally preferred over national accreditation.
There are six regional accrediting bodies in the U.S., and each accredits schools within a specific area of the country.
The SACSCOC accredits schools in the southeast, from Virginia down through to Texas.
Many programs within the university hold programmatic accreditation. Agencies that accredit programs at George Mason University include:
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Additionally, many programs that do not have accreditation agencies are approved or recognized by agencies that oversee those types of programs.
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What Is George Mason University Known For?
George Mason University is known for being the largest public university in Virginia and for catering to both traditional and nontraditional students in the Washington D.C. metro and around the country.
The university was originally founded to serve non-traditional students but now offers residential programs for traditional students as well.
It's classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity, with most research focused on health, sustainability, and security.
Research centers at the university include:
- Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
- Michael V Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and Security
- Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
- Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center
George Mason University is also known for its notable alumni which include American and foreign politicians, actors, Major League Baseball (MLB) players, and National Basketball Association (NBA) players.
Is George Mason University a Good Choice?
While needs vary among students, for many, George Mason University is a good choice because of its rigorous programs offered both on campus and online.
It's typically well-ranked among colleges and universities in the United States. For example:
- #62 nationally in the 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities
- #93 on the Forbes list of America's Top Colleges, as well as #40 on the list of public colleges and #20 on the list of colleges in the south
- #105 on the U.S. News and World Report list of Best National Universities, as well as #51 on the list of top public schools
Students and alumni give the university an average of four stars, with many students saying they love the variety of program options and on-campus activities, diverse student body, proximity to Washington D.C., and flexibility of online programs.
Acceptance Rates at George Mason University
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, George Mason University accepted 90% of first-time undergraduate applicants in the fall of 2022.
To apply to the university as a full-time freshman, you'll need to fill out an application and submit your high school transcripts and letters of recommendation.
ACT or SAT scores and a personal statement are optional but encouraged.
For graduate students, each graduate program has its requirements and deadlines for what students must submit and when they must submit it.
Online Programs Offered at George Mason University
George Mason University offers online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, certificates, and individual courses.
Bachelor's degrees are available in the following areas of study:
- Business and management
- Engineering and technology
- Health
- Law
- Science and math
- Social sciences
- Visual and performing arts
Additionally, a handful of degrees are available as degree completion programs for students who have already completed their core general education requirements.
Master's degrees and graduate certificates are available in fields like:
- Business and management
- Education
- Engineering and technology
- Health
- Science and math
- Social sciences
- Visual and performing arts
A large number of individual online courses are also available, though the selection varies by semester.
What Are Online Classes Like at George Mason University?
George Mason University has designed its online programs to offer the same classes that are offered on campus in a format that can be completed at home or while traveling.
Online courses are taught by the same Mason faculty who teach face-to-face and include textbooks, assignments, and exams just like face-to-face courses.
Classes are active and collaborative, often using e-mail, discussion boards, blogs, wikis, and social media.
Most are asynchronous, meaning you don't have to log in at a set time but can log in when it works for your schedule.
Start Your Degree Today
George Mason University is a good school that offers a variety of programs on campus and online.
With the guide above, you can determine if George Mason University is right for you.
