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School of Education - George Mason University

GMU Special Education Program Application

Depending on county requirements, there may be two application procedures for cohort applicants.  Applicants must submit a graduate application (not non-degree) to George Mason University. They must also contact their county to determine if there is an application required by the county.  If so, the student must complete both the application to George Mason University and the application to the county. Cohort students are encouraged to print the step-by-step instructions for applying to Mason and follow them carefully to avoid delays in processing that can impede students' ability to continue with coursework.

GMU Special Education Program Application Deadlines:

  • Fall (Students accepted for fall are allowed to register for summer classes): Rolling Admissions, April 1 priority. For summer, students must be accepted prior to the start of their summer course. For fall, incomplete applications will not be reviewed after August 15, provided space is still available.
  • Spring:Rolling admissions, November 1 priority.  Completed applications due by January 4.
  • Summer: Rolling admissions, February 1 priority.  Completed applications due by May 1. 

First-time Students: Quick Admission Requirements and Process

In certain circumstances George Mason University allows students taking Special Education contract or cohort courses to bypass the formal university admissions process and be admitted for one semester only to Quick Admit (QA) Non-Degree status. To be eligible for Quick Admit status students must not have been previously quick-admitted and must provide the necessary documentation for QA status to the Outreach Program Enrollment office prior to or on the first night of class. This QA process requires less documentation than the formal application process and the active student status that results is temporary.  Any student who is quick admitted must go through the formal admissions process  in its entirety and be accepted to the Special Education program in Graduate status in order to proceed with their Special Education coursework beyond that first semester.