Newly Admitted Graduate Students
Congratulations on your offer of admission! Not sure what to do next? We have resources to help you with next steps as you make your decision! Please use the menu below to determine what you want or need to do next!
https://www.gmu.edu/graduate-students
I have not made a decision about my admission offer and am looking for more information.
We understand that you need to take time and gather information to make a decision. Please expand any points below to find more information about our programs, tuition, funding, contact, etc.
Please review the GMU Cost of Attendance page for detailed information on tuition, fees, estimated living expenses, etc.
- Doctoral students are offered full funding packages with stipend at the time of admission. Funding packages for doctoral students in addition to the stipend include a full waiver of tuition, eligibility for University paid health insurance and access to conference travel funding. These packages are awarded for the first 4 years of a student’s doctoral program upon the contingency that the student fulfills the terms of the financial offer and continues Satisfactory Academic Progress within their program. Doctoral funding packages are offered to US and International applicants.
- Master's students generally do not receive guaranteed funding at the time of admission and most pay for their cost of attendance out of pocket. While there may be some program specific funding opportunities available, they are few and competitive. There isn't a separate application for program specific funding opportunities.
- Other opportunities for funding - Admitted MA and MPS students looking for funding opportunities, as well as PhD students looking for additional funding, should utilize the information on our Funding Resources website.
All doctoral programs require full-time, in-person commitments. The same is true for most MA programs, however, some concentrations may allow part-time enrollment on a case-by-case basis. Doctoral, MA and certificate courses are primarily taught in person, M-F during regular business hours, although there are times a course is offered in the evening. While on occasion some courses for these programs may be taught online, the program requirements cannot be completed entirely in an online format, with the exception of the MPS program.
Courses required for the PhD, MA and certificate programs are primarily taught in person at the GMU Fairfax campus, M-F during regular business hours, although there are times a course is offered in the evening. While on occasion some courses for these programs may be taught online, the program requirements cannot be completed entirely in an online format, with the exception of the MPS program.
MPS Master of Professional Studies in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology - This program is offered through our department and Mason Online. Prospective applicants should visit their website for specific information and requirements and reach out to online2@s.masononline.gmu.edu for any questions.
Most doctoral students finish their program in 4-5 years. Most students will finish their required course work in three years, take comprehensive exams and advance to candidacy in early year 4. The PhD in the clinical psychology concentration is typically 6 years. Clinical students will complete required coursework in 4 years, complete an optional externship in year 5 and a required internship in the 6th year. Learn more about their program structure here. The University requires that doctoral students complete their degree requirements within 9 years.
MA programs in our department are typically completed in 2 years because our students are expected to be full time. Programs that do not require a thesis can possibly be completed in 1.5 years. In order to meet this timeline, students are expected to follow the first year course requirements/recommendations set by your program. Those that delay a first year course to second year typically do not graduate in 2 years. The University requires that master's students complete their degree requirements within 6 years.
Concentration in Applied Developmental Psychology
Concentration in Clinical Psychology
Concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
Concentration in Human Factors and Applied Cognition
Concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Concentration in Applied Developmental Psychology
Concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
Concentration in Human Factors and Applied Cognition
Concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (ON CAMPUS ONLY)
MPS in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology (ONLINE ONLY)
Great question! Funding offers will specify a deadline for a decision (usually April 15th). All general offers of admission do not have a specific deadline for decision, however, registration for the fall semester begins in April, so the sooner you can enter a decision and activate services, the sooner you can register for the fall semester. (Tuition for Fall is not due until the first day of classes, not at the time of registration). We do ask that you make the offer official in the application portal once you have decided as it helps us move forward with finalizing our admit decisions. Instructions for accepting or declining your offer can be found here, see steps 1 and 2.
Have you reviewed the information above but still find yourself asking more questions? Schedule an appointment to meet with the Graduate Psychology Program Administrator, call 703-993-1548 or email psycgrad@gmu.edu.
I am ready to make my decision!
Whether you accept or decline our offer of admission, we would like you to make it official in the application portal as soon as you have made a decision!
As soon as you know your decision, please log in to your application portal to make your official decision. Instructions for making your decision in the portal can be found here, follow steps 1 and 2. **Please note: The wording in your letter will lead you to believe that you can only accept your decision following the instructions of the admission letter. While we hope that is the case, please be aware that you will be able to make other decisions once you click on the hyperlinked text in your letter, even if you wish to decline. (We understand! We want what's best for you!)
This website will walk you through what is required after you accept your offer of admission and how to activate your student services. Please note that it will take 48-72 business hours after you accept in the portal to be able to activate services.
Now that you have been admitted, you can start the transfer credit discussion with faculty and the department. Information about the process can be found here, scroll down to Transfer of Credit. Once you have reviewed the information, make an appointment with the Psychology Program Administrator.