Prospective Students FAQs

 Our department offers Graduate Certificates in Geospatial Intelligence (GeoInt),  Geographic Information Sciences (GIS),  Remote Sensing and Image Processing (RS) alone and in Environmental GIS and Biodiversity Conservation (GIS & CONS) jointly with ESP and the Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation. All certificate programs are designed for the corresponding techniques in the different fields. The GeoInt certificate is aligned with the MS in Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence (GeoInt), and the GIS certificate with the MS in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences (GECA). The title of the Remote Sensing and Image Processing certificate says the focus of the program itself. The GIS & CONS focus on data collection with field training related to conservation and using GIS to handle those spatial data.

The MS in Earth Systems Science (ESS, offered jointly with the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences) provides a global systems approach to the study of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. The degree emphasizes the observation and quantitative analysis of earth systems. The MS in Geographic and Cartographic Sciences (GECA) focuses on techniques to compile, display and analyze spatial data. The MS in Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence (GeoInt) focuses primarily on computational approaches that support the synthesis and analysis of diverse spatial data types to identify and monitor complex events and phenomena that manifest themselves over space and time.

Yes, it is possible. Please check the University policy on this at AP.6.4.1 Nondegree Student Status. Please note the limitation for transferring non-degree credits to a certificate or a degree. 

Presently, GGS offers graduate courses in-person and online on a rotating basis. While students can complete a certificate or MS degree fully online, they should expect it to take longer than if they were attending classes in person.Presently, GGS offers graduate courses in-person and online on a rotating basis. While students can complete a certificate or MS degree fully online, they should expect it to take longer than if they were attending classes in person.

With that said, please note that GGS relies on individual instructors to determine their preferred teaching modality (online, in-person, or hybrid). Therefore, we cannot guarantee that any course will be offered online within a specific time frame, or at all. If you would like to know this information, we suggest that you contact individual instructors about their plans. Occasionally, an instructor may provide virtual access to students who cannot be present in person to join a class.

If you need only one online course to graduate and the course is not available online in the coming semester, a substitute course may be considered.

Our graduate student population is incredibly diverse, representing all educational backgrounds. Some students are very familiar with geography, geospatial sciences, and data sciences, while others may have taken only one course in our field or none at all.

Given student protections under FERPA, we are not able to share the contact information of current students or graduates. There are some university/college/department events where you may be able to meet current students or graduates. We will update the information on this page when we have more specific information regarding these events.

Graduate students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in at least 9 graduate credits per semester or hold a full-time assistantship (total 20 hours a week) and are enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits per semester. Graduate students are considered half-time if they are enrolled in at least 4.5 graduate credits per semester. For details, please visit the University Catalog, AP 6.2. 

Unfortunately, we do not have precise employment data for our recent graduates, as we currently lack a systematic tracking mechanism. However, many of our students pursue their graduate degrees while working full time.

Please visit the university Graduate Admission Policies in the University Catalog, which is the final authority on all relevant policies.

For specific program requirements, please visit our department’s Graduate Program web site and then choose the program in which you are interested. Then, you will be led to the corresponding pages in the University Catalog for more information on admission requirements

The simple answer is Yes. All your earned graduate credits for a certificate are also qualified toward a degree, either an MS or a PhD. However, one should note that the university policy says “No credits can be applied to more than two certificates and/or degrees.”

As mentioned above, our students come from very diverse backgrounds. The key is whether you feel comfortable with the core course requirements. Some core courses require a strong science background, some require substantial mathematics, and some require heavy programming. As long as you can handle the core requirements well in a specific program, you should be fine with the coursework. The research component depends on your interests and whether you can identify a faculty member who shares similar research interests. 

It is difficult to estimate the needed time to complete one MS degree because it is really on personal decision for work load. Generally, part-time students may take 1-2 courses and full-time students may take up to 4 courses. With the total required credits for an individual program, one can roughly estimate the need time. Please also note: 1) the course offerings during summers are very limited. 2) An MS thesis may take longer time to complete although the required credits are 3, equivalent to a regular course.

It is very hard to say how long it will take for getting the ESGS PhD degree because the time for dissertation research and dissertation writing vary with individual background including if having an MS degree, research topics, and many other factors. In past, most full-time students could complete the course work in 2-3 years and complete the degree in about 5 years. It may take much longer if one is studying in part-time status. The university policy is one should advance to PhD candidate in 6 years and graduate in 9 years, regardless full-time or part-time.

Yes. Actually, there are many part-time graduate students so that all of GGS graduate courses will be offered at 4:30pm or after. Actually, most classes will be held 4:30-7:10pm with a few in 7:20-10:00pm once a week. However, some graduate courses are offered as cross-listed courses with undergraduate portion may meet earlier.

Most graduate courses meet once a week for 2 hours and 40 minutes. Some graduate courses are offered as cross-listed courses with undergraduate portion may meet twice a week.

Tuition and fees are set at the University level and change from year to year. Please visit the Approved Tuition and Fees page for current information.  All our programs are listed under the College of Science. 

As the department is not involved in the tuition setting, you should ask the university or college for questions related to tuition. Other fees may be involved.

We have two types of support, GTA and GRA. The GTAs will be assigned by the department based on credential, availability, and needs. GRAs are independently determined by individual faculty members. The decision on GRA financial support is determined by individual faculty on a case-by-case basis. Some students may obtain funding well after admission depending on new funding availability or position openings. However, there is no guarantee of funding after admission. 

Most financial support is given to full time students pursuing a PhD degree, although we do support a few MS students with GTAs. 

Although most funding is awarded at the start of the academic year in the fall semester, occasionally, new opportunities may appear for the spring semester.

No special application materials are needed with your admission application for financial support except you need to indicate your interest in financial support. Before your application is complete, no financial support will be considered.

Since the needs of GTAs are determined near the start time of a semester, existing or admitted students should apply for a GTA position by following this link during the Spring semester. Please note that the GTA application is usually available in late February/early March.

You may also contact individual faculty members for GRA opportunities. The faculty members who need GRAs may be willing to respond to inquiries, but they cannot guarantee any type of support before your admission. 

The department tries to provide financial support for all highly qualified students with the admission. Unless in very special cases such as new fund availabilities or new GTA position available, your chance to get financial support after the admission is low.

Please contact the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS).

The University posted application deadlines are for reference purposes only. Applications for GGS graduate programs are reviewed on a rolling basis. Although most of our students enroll for the fall semester, we enroll for fall, spring, and summer terms. Please note that course offerings are quite limited during the summer term. You can view the University Calendar to learn more about anticipated start dates for each semester

You may find all necessary regarding the application process at how-apply

Neither GGS nor the College of Science can provide fee waivers at this time. You may find the university policy on this topic here.

The GRE is not required for the admission of any of GGS’ graduate programs. However, the GRE is encouraged for those who are looking for financial support. GRE scores provide additional insight into a student’s academic background so that faculty can gain a fuller picture of your candidacy. We do not have any specific minimum score requirements for financial support. We expect students seeking GTA/GRA support to have strong quantitative scores.

A special note: if you find any web site saying GRE is needed for our graduate program, it is a legacy issue. We have contacted University officials about this issue.

English language proficiency is required for all international graduate applicants. You may visit:

https://www.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/international/english-proficiency-requirements to find details on the minimum scores and waivers for students who have graduated from specific countries.

The English Proficiency requirements are set by the University. GGS is unable to waive this requirement. You may contact either the College of Science Graduate Admission Office or the University Graduate Admission Office.

If you are studying at a U.S. institution and you are expecting to graduate with a U.S. degree in the coming semester, University policy states that you must provide an “updated transcript showing that you are currently enrolled along with your anticipated date of degree conferral required for INEV/TOEFL waivers.” 

Transcript evaluation is done at the University level and academic departments are not involved. You may contact the College of Science Graduate Admission Office or the University Graduate Admission Office.

Yes, University policy allows graduate credit transfer from other qualified institutions. The department follows the University policy described in the University Catalog: AP.6.5.2 Transfer of Credits. The key points are: graduate credits are eligible for credit at Mason if those credits have been earned within the past 10 years; a student must have earned a B- or better for a course to be eligible for credit. We strongly recommend you read the full transfer of credits policy linked above.  

The statement is for the University and faculty to know you better. Most statements include a brief self-introduction of related background, why you are interested in the program to which you are applying, your career goal and how the degree will help you achieve this goal. For PhD statement, please state your research interest and identify the fields and related faculty members with whom you share common interest.

There is no fixed suggested length for a statement. As long as you can give enough information covering the areas mentioned above, the statement should be fine. With that said, most statements for the PhD application are about 2 pages (single space with 12 font size).

Your recommendations should preferably come from faculty who have taught you or worked with you in your current program. These letters should speak to your performance in your current program of study (grades, classroom presence/participation, etc.), your research potential (applicable to PhD program only), and why you are suited for the target graduate program. Some recommendation letters do address personality for potential teamwork.

Although most students with BS/BA will apply for an MS program first before the PhD program, we do accept PhD students with BS/BA only. The application procedures are the same as for those with a master's degree. 

The department prefers that applicants to our PhD program have completed a master’s degree. However, if a student prefers to apply for PhD admission without an MS degree, we will still consider the application. 

The advantage of applying for the PhD program directly from a BA/BS program is that the chance to get financial support may be a little higher than that of MS students, especially if you have contact with faculty members who share mutual research interest and are looking for students. The disadvantage is that you will not be eligible to transfer any credits into the program and therefore will need to be mindful of the time limit to complete your coursework and research.

According to the University Catalog (AP 6.8.1), students may be enrolled in one graduate certificate program while also pursuing a master's or doctoral degree. However, simultaneous multiple program applications may complicate the application process and should be avoided. Students admitted into a master’s or PhD program may add a graduate certificate after they start the program. 

Students not admitted to any graduate degree program (master's or doctoral) may be admitted to two graduate certificate programs at the same time. The graduation application for each graduate certificate must include at least 12 credits that apply only to that certificate, not to another. 

No. During your application, you should identify one or more faculty members with whom you like to work. Those faculty members are your potential assigned advisor if you are admitted to the program. You may change your advisor after you join us for funding support, for research areas or for any other reason. You should find faculty information here. Again, it is not necessary to contact faculty members to put their names on the application.

Students missing one or more course requirements are still given full consideration in our admission process. If a student is missing suggested background coursework, they may receive a conditional admission offer. Conditional admission requires that a student receive a B or better for the first few courses or to take specific course(s). Provisional admission is not offered to international applicants.

The academic requirements for admission at the department level are the same for domestic students and international students. However, the University has policies on English Proficiency and International Transcript Evaluation that are not controlled by the department.

No. We accept part-time and full-time students in all our graduate programs on the same requirements. Financial support may be used to cover full-time students first.

All inquiries regarding the completion status of your application should be directed to the College of Science Graduate Office or the University Graduate Admissions; 703-993-9700.

If you are notified that your application is complete, you may contact us to check your status. Please note that we need time to review your application and make our admission decision. Most applications take 1-4 weeks to be reviewed, and some applications may take longer.
 

Please see the table below for the information:

Yes. With a reasonable reason, you may defer your admission. Please visit graduate-policies and check the Deferral or Reconsideration of Admitted Students section for details on how to start that process. GGS follows the university policies on deferment and reconsideration. Since the deferral is not determined by GGS, you should address additional questions on this to either University Graduate Admissions or the College of Science Graduate Office.

Please contact the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS)for visa-related questions.