George Mason University

• Can I transfer credits into the program?  Yes, you may transfer approved credit from another university or nondegree studies at Mason into your current academic program.  Credit from another university must not have been previously applied to another degree.  As an MA in English student, you may transfer up to 12 hours of approved credits and the credit must have been earned in the past six years.  To transfer credits, you must submit a CHSS Graduate Transfer of Credit Request Form.  This form must be signed by graduate director and the CHSS dean before it can be processed by the office of the registrar.
  
• Are projected schedules of classes for future semesters available to students? Unfortunately, no. Students must wait until the official schedule of classes is posted on Patriotweb ahead of the registration period for each semester. Because it is difficult to plan ahead, it is important to take a class that interests you and meets a requirement when you see it on the schedule. If you wait, you may not see the course offered again during your time at Mason.
  
• Am I assigned an advisor? Yes, students are assigned an advisor when they are admitted to the program. The assignement is listed near the bottom of the admissions letter.
  
• Do I have to contact my advisor? You should contact your advisor to establish a relationship when you first start the program and remain in touch with your advisor as you progress through the program and encounter problems or have questions about coursework and whether or not it meets a degree requirement.
  

• Is there a program time limit? Yes, students have six years from the first term of enrollment as a degree-seeking student to complete the program and graduate.
  
• What happens when I reach the time limit? Students who reach the 6-year time limit must file a request for an extension. This request can be made via email and sent to Susan Turriziani in the CHSS dean's office. In the request you should clearly state why you were not able to complete the degree within the 6-year window, include a detailed plan for completing the degree is a reasonable amount of time, and provide any other information that the dean should take into consideration. You will also need a letter of support from the department. It is in your best interest to be in contact with your advisor or program director to formulate a plan forward. Extensions are granted, but they are rarely approved for more time than one academic year.
  
• Are there assistantships for MA students? Yes, there a couple of fulltime TA (teaching assistant) positions avaiable to MA students who have been at Mason as MA students for at least one semester. In general these positions are not given to students in their last year of study. The positions are announced and advertised on the MA student listserv as they become available. TAs earn a stipend and tuition waiver. Interviews are required for all TA candidates. RA (research assistant) positions are also available to MA students. These positions are also advertised as they become available. RAs earn stipends and tuition waiver as well, but can be contracted for shorter periods of time such as one academic semester.
  

• How do I sign up for an independent study?  Two forms need to be completed to register for an independent study.  The first in the English Department Policies for ENGL 798 Form and it is only available in the department office.  This form must be completed by the student and signed by the student's supervising faculty.  The student should attach a course bibliography to this form.  The second is the Individualized Section Form.  This form must be completed by the student and signed by the Department chair before it can be processed by the Office of the Registrar.
  

• How do waitlists work at Mason?  Waitlists at Mason are available to students who would like to reigster for a course that is full.  As spaces open up, students on the waitlist are issued overrides that allow them to register for the course.  These overrides appear on the registration status page of the student services portion of Patriotweb. Students have 72 hours to register after an override has been issued.  To register for a course that is full with no waitlist, students must contact the instructor.  The instructor is the only person who can issue an override. Once again, once an override is issued, a student has 72 hours to register for the course.  It is the student's responsibility to check his/her registration status page for overrides and updates.  It is also the student's responsibility to register within the 72 hour window. 
  

• Can I add or drop a class after the start of classes?  Yes, a student can add a course until the last day to add courses which is usually two weeks into each semester.  The exact date can be found on the current academic calendar.  A student may drop a course until the last day to drop classes, usually four weeks into the semester.  Again, the exact date can be found on the current academic calendar.  The amount a student may be reimbersed for tuition varies on when the course is dropped.  After the drop deadline, a student must submit a Late Schedule Adjustment Form.  This form is available only in the English Department main office and must be signed by the department chair before it can be processed by the office of the registrar. Late Schedule adjustments are approved on a case by case basis. Typically students need to have been attending a class from the start and have a letter/email from the instructor stating that they have been attending for a late schedule adjustment to be approved.
  

• Do I have to be enrolled each semester until I graduate?  No, a student may skip one semester for personal reasons without any penalty and without completing any paperwork.  If a student misses more than one consecutive semester (not including summers) he/she must complete a Graduate Re-enrollment Form.  It must be signed by the department chair and the dean before it can be processed by the office of the registrar.  Please note: if you are receiving financial aid or fellowship money, you may be required to be enrolled for a certain number of hours each semester.
  
• Can I switch concentrations once I am admitted to an MA program? Yes, but this should only be done after careful consideration of the consequences of switching. Students who switch concentrations may have to extend their studies and may lose credits if they do not meet requirements in the new concentration. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor or program director before making any switch. Change of concentrations are approved on a case by case basis and paperwork must be completed once a change has been approved.
  
• How and when do I file my intent to graduate? The semester before you intend to graduate, you must file an intent to graduate via Patriotweb. File your intent to graduate early in the semester prior to your final semester. Filing early allows time to resolve any problems that might be uncovered after a review of your coursework.
  

• What is GESA?  GESA stands for the Graduate English Student Association and it is a student organization to which you automatically belong as an MA in English student.  It was founded to serve the intellectual and social needs of the graduate students in the English Department.  The organization sponsers speakers and events each semester.