George Mason University

George Mason, the namesake of the George Mason University, is one of the greatest of the founding fathers of the United States. He drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which became a model for the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. The main campus for the university is in Fairfax, Virginia, just 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C.  

In 1957, George Mason University was a single building, enrolling only 17 students and now has four campuses in Virginia and one in Songdo, Korea.

Undergraduate

Traditional BSN

The Traditional pathway is a two-year curriculum after pre-nursing courses are completed. This is a full-time program.

Accelerated Second Degree

The Accelerated Second Degree Pathway is a 12-month curriculum for students holding a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. The Accelerated Pathway in nursing is also a fulltime program.

Students can only enter the program in the fall and all of the pre-nursing requirements must be completed by the end of Mason's Spring term (not Summer term).

RN to BSN

The RN to BSN Pathway for students holding current registered nurse (RN) licenses may be completed in one year (full-time) providing general education prerequisites, elective prerequisites, and nursing prerequisite course requirements have been completed. The flexibility of part-time is also available. The RN to BSN program is offered completely online.  Admitted students must possess a diploma or associate degree in nursing.

Co-enrollment in Nursing Program (CEP)

The Co-enrollment in Nursing Program (CEP) allows students to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree online while concurrently enrolled in an Applied Associate of Science in Nursing degree (AAS Nursing) program at a partner community college. Nursing classes in the CEP are available to be completed online in a seven-week format.

After completing their Applied Associate of Science in Nursing degree, students are eligible to take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) while enrolled in the BSN program. After a student passes the NCLEX and upon successful completion of NURS 336, students are awarded 33 nursing transfer credits toward their BSN degree. Students complete the BSN program the semester following graduation with the AAS degree.

Mason Veterans in Nursing Program (MVP), BSN

The Traditional BSN Pathway or the Accelerated Second Degree BSN Pathway is available for active military or veterans.

Students in the pathway complete all Mason BSN nursing courses online while concurrently enrolled in their AAS nursing courses at a partner community college. Nursing classes in the MVP are offered online in a seven-week format.

Students take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) after completing their AAS in nursing while enrolled in Mason's BSN program. After a student passes the NCLEX and upon successful completion of NURS 336, students are awarded 33 nursing transfer credits toward their BSN degree. Students complete Mason's BSN program the semester following graduation with the AAS degree.

Graduate

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP
• Administration Concentration, MSN
• Nurse Educator Concentration, MSN
• Nurse Practitioner Concentrations, MSN
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• RN to MSN Pathway, MSN

Certificates

• Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Education

General Graduate Admission (not all inclusive)

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
• 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale or better in baccalaureate study. The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs. For applicants with post baccalaureate credits, a separate GPA is calculated for each institution. The difficulty of the baccalaureate degree and professional work experience may be considered in assessing the application for admission.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Admission (not all inclusive)

• BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Active state-based/U.S. license as a registered nurse (RN)
• Current CPR card
• Work experience as an RN
• Completion of an undergraduate statistics course

Nurse Practitioner Admission (not all inclusive)

• GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
• Successful completion of an undergraduate health assessment course
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE), only upon request
• A minimum of one year of work experience as a nurse

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BSN-DNP

Admissions Criteria (not all inclusive)

• On-site interview (if required)
• GRE (if requested)
• Professional and/or volunteer experience
• Evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level
• Licensed registered nurse in the U.S. with a minimum of one year of experience as an RN
• BSN to DNP applicants must hold a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 3.0 GPA

MSN-DNP

In addition to the standard university admissions criteria, the above criterion is also required.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Admission (not all inclusive)

• MSN from an accredited program equivalent to 30 semester hours of credit, or a master's degree in a related health field with a baccalaureate degree in nursing
• One year of experience as an RN
• Current RN license
• Interview with one or more persons on the Doctoral Admissions Committee
• Research interests match or complement faculty research
• Writing sample describing goals in pursuing a PhD in Nursing
• GRE scores
• Professional and/or volunteer experience
• Evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the graduate level
• Evidence of a prerequisite graduate-level course in applied statistics (past two years)

Accreditation and Approval

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

The Virginia Board of Nursing approved the BSN programs.

George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019)

• #136 (tie) in National Universities
• #92 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #105 in Best Value Schools
• #115 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Education Programs
• #49 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
• #37 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #403 (tie) Best Global Universities
• #28 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
• #67 (tie) in Top Public Schools