FAQ Current Mason Student

An enhanced opportunity for the most motivated students from all majors at Mason.

• Curriculum. The Honors College offers an enhanced alternative general education curriculum comprised of small, highly interactive seminar-type classes.

• Programming. The Honors College offers co-curricular programming to help students excel academically, connect socially, and pursue the things they care about most.

• Support. You will receive additional support from an Honors College advisor, help navigating your transition, and extra help if you run into challenges along the way.

We focus on inquiry-based, civic, and experiential learning.

• Research. 100% of Honors College students begin conducting individual research their first semester. 44% conduct research with a faculty mentor before graduating.

• Civic learning. Honors College students take a civic learning course. Since 2019, 33 regional nonprofits have partnered with students in our classes.

• Experiential learning. Students may participate in hands-on classes that develop professional skills. Honors College classes have hosted 53 distinct partner projects since 2019.

Learn with a community that inspires you to do your best.

• At Mason. Excellent graduation rates. Before graduation, 80% of ours students are in RSOs, with over half in leadership roles; 63% participate in service work; 73% have internships.

• In Grad School. Honors College grads attend the most prestigious graduate, law, and medical schools, from Harvard to Stanford and from UVA to University of California.

• Top Careers. Honors College grads work in leadership positions in every industry and field - in law firms, health systems, corporations, and the government.

The Honors College curriculum is an alternative to the Mason Core.

• Be excused from the remaining Mason Core Foundation and Exploration Requirements. Instead of taking these, you’ll take the remaining Honors College seminars.

• Substitute Mason Core credits you already have. You will be able to substitute Mason Core Exploration credits you already have for some of the Honors College seminars.

The Honors College will evaluate the classes you’ve taken and award appropriate credit.

• Credit from before Mason. After admission, the Honors College will evaluate transfer, AP/ IB, and dual enrollment credits and apply them to relevant requirements in our curriculum.

• Mason Core credits. Students may use Mason Core Exploration courses to substitute for up to 4 of the 7 required Honors College seminars.

• Natural science and math. You will take the same science and math classes you would otherwise take, but will have optional enhanced H-sections available for certain classes.

• Other Mason credits. Admission to the Honors College does not impact your major or minor requirements.

Apply if you have a 3.5 cumulative GPA & will have completed at least 24 credits at Mason this semester.

• Get a recommendation. Request a recommendation from a Mason professor or advisor.

• Complete our application online. Apply online at honorscollege.gmu.edu/admissions/current-mason-student

Interested students can apply to join Honors College leadership. Information about opportunities and events can also be found in the weekly Honors College newsletter. 

Honoring Our Community
Honors College Recruitment Team
Honors College Connects
Honors College Student Advisory Board
Honors College Peer Mentors
Honors College Communications Team