How to Apply

Applying to a GMU Psychology Graduate Program

To put in an application for the MA or PhD program, you will need to visit the admissions website. This page will help you with Psychology-specific questions. The application cycle for Fall 2026 will open September 15th. Please see below for various application due dates.

For those inquiring about the MPS online program for Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology, their application process is through MasonOnline.  Please reach out to online2@s.masononline.gmu.edu for any questions on this program. 

FEE WAIVER INFORMATION FOR FALL 2026: We have limited application fee waivers available for MA applicants only. Fee waivers are given out at the discretion of the program/concentration. If you would like to be considered for a fee waiver, YOU MUST FIRST BEGIN AN APPLICATION. You are not charged for creating an account and beginning an application, you are only asked to for payment when you submit the application. Once you have started the application, you may reach out directly to your chosen program for a possible waiver. 

 Unfortunately, at this time, we are not offering application fee waivers for doctoral programs in our department. We will instead be offering New Student Fee waivers for admitted doctoral students who commit to our program. We understand applying to multiple graduate schools can be expensive, so we feel that it is important for prospective applicants to consider the overall expenses* and the research areas of the program when considering paying for an application. For our doctoral programs, research match with faculty is critical when being considered for admission. Please review Tenure Track faculty for the program you plan to apply to on the pages linked below.  Please review faculty profiles to confirm that your research goals align with someone in the program. If not, you may want to inquire further with the program before paying for the application fee (email psycgrad@gmu.edu). Program faculty can be found here:

Applied Developmental Psychology

Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience

Clinical Psychology

Human Factors and Applied Cognition

Industrial and Organizational Psychology

*While doctoral applicants who are offered admission to our programs will receive a funding package that includes tuition waiver, health insurance coverage and stipend, it does not cover the entire cost of attendance at GMU. Please review this website for Cost of Attendance information. International students should be aware that visa application will require proof that they are capable of covering all costs associated with attendance and those costs extend beyond what the department funding package will cover. 

Information about University level application fee waivers, including McNair's Scholars, can be found here. 

Review George Mason University Application Requirements

1. All applicants for graduate study at George Mason University must meet the admission standards specified in the graduate admissions chapters of the University Catalog, as well as the additional psychology M.A. or PhD requirements.

Decide on a Concentrated Psychology Program

1. Students interested in a graduate degree in psychology must decide which program they prefer:
   • Applied Developmental Psychology (M.A. or PhD),
   • Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (Certificate, Accelerated M.A., M.A. or PhD),
   • Clinical (PhD only),
   • Human Factors/Applied Cognition (Certificate in Applied Psychology, M.A. or PhD),
   • Industrial/Organizational (M.P.S, M.A. or PhD),

Contact Current Program Faculty

1. After deciding on a graduate psychology program, contact current GMU faculty to discuss your academic interests, goals, specifics on the program, and research being conducted at GMU.
2. Faculty within each program can be found on the psychology website.

Submit a George Mason University Graduate Application

1. Follow the instructions on the College of Humanities and Social Sciences admissions page.
2. Submit your application by the deadlines listed on the Admissions website.
   • Please note there different deadline dates depending on the program. International student deadlines are typically one month earlier than posted deadlines. Find out more about international applicants' resources.
3. Forward any official transcripts to the Office of Admissions as stated in the application. DO NOT forward transcripts to the psychology office as this will delay the university review of your application and an admission decision.

Resources for Applying to Graduate School and Psychology Programs

https://www.apa.org/education-career/grad/applying

Deciding to Apply and Successfully Gaining Admission to Graduate Schools in Psychology

Applying to a GMU Psychology Undergraduate Program

Review George Mason University Application Requirements

1. All applicants for undergraduate study at George Mason University must meet the admission standards specified in the undergraduate admissions chapters of the University Catalog.

Make Note of Application Deadlines

1. Know how and when you would like to apply. Different applications have different deadline dates:

        Freshman

        Transfer

Meet & Visit Mason

1. Mason Admissions representatives travel to high schools around the country attending college fairs. See when they will be at a school near you!
2. Visit Mason yourself! Tour campus, meet students and faculty, get a feel for what it is like to be a Mason Patriot!

Want more information?

1. Visit the GMU Admissions Office's webpage for more information on how to apply. This page is separated for incoming freshman, transfer, non-degree, and international students.
2. Still wanting more? Fill out the Information Request Form to receive more admissions information.