Welcome to George Mason
About George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., George Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 U.S. states. George Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. Our ties with the U.S. federal government, high-tech industry, international NGOs, and global business communities are unparalleled. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship.
George Mason’s main campus is in Fairfax, Virginia. Fairfax is 24 kilometers west of Washington, D.C. and its proximity to the nation’s capital provides opportunities to experience world-class museums, tours of the national monuments, major league sporting events, live concerts, activities on the National Mall, and American politics in action on Capitol Hill.
George Mason also has campuses in Arlington, Virginia, and Incheon, South Korea.
About Fairfax, Virginia
The historical City of Fairfax, Virginia, is nestled in the suburban expanse of the Washington, D.C., metro region. Just 20 minutes from the nation’s capital, it combines the charm of a small town with the opportunities of a thriving urban metropolis. With its hallmark landscaped and leafy street medians, Fairfax is an oasis—unique and brimming with vitality and recognized as one of the top places to live in the U.S. Fairfax is widely known for its outstanding cultural amenities. Every year the city sponsors events such as Fall for the Book, Spotlight on the Arts, a weekend-long Chocolate Lovers Festival, and the Fall Festival, where Old Town Fairfax opens its streets to hundreds of renowned craft merchants and thousands of visitors. Local dining and shopping destinations in Fairfax are accessible via city buses, which are free to George Mason ID holders.
Costello College of Business
The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington, and Fairfax, and at George Mason’s global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The college’s AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development.
Learn more at business.gmu.edu.
About Mason Korea
Mason Korea is George Mason’s international branch campus in the sustainably designed community of Songdo, South Korea. Mason Korea is located 40 kilometers from Seoul and offers a shuttle service to nearby Incheon International Airport. Mason Korea is part of the Incheon Global Campus and students studying at there interact with those from other top universities represented at the Global Campus and in the Songdo community. The Incheon Global Campus accommodates students from all corners of the world and includes world-class teaching facilities, a library with state-of-the art technology, a performing arts center, comfortable residence halls, faculty apartments, and guest housing. Its close proximity to Seoul and the Incheon International Airport attracts students and faculty from across the globe to study and teach. Mason Korea offers six undergraduate degree programs and one graduate degree program. The Costello College of Business offers the bachelor of science in business undergraduate degree program at the Mason Korea campus. Mason Korea students spend three years studying at Songdo and one year in Fairfax, Virginia. Students have access to all George Mason University resources and services at both the Mason Korea and Fairfax campuses.
Learn more at masonkorea.gmu.edu.
About the Dean
Ajay Vinzé joined George Mason University in July 2022 from the University of Missouri, after serving as Dean of the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business.
During his tenure as Dean at Trulaske, he is credited with significantly enhancing the research profile of the college, offering innovative business education programs, and raising over $30M in philanthropic giving. Leveraging his efforts at Trulaske, he is fast positioning the Costello College of Business among leading business schools regionally, nationally, and globally. The Costello College of Business and Dr. Vinzé are recognized for impactful research and credited with a number of forward-thinking innovations in business education, including Modular Education through micro-credentialing and stackable certificates, Inclusive Entrepreneurship, and the development of a proactive global presence.
Dr. Vinzé is a Fulbright Senior Specialist and a global citizen, having lived, worked or traveled through more than 70 countries over the past three decades. He completed his doctoral degree at the University of Arizona after receiving a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) at the University of Delhi.
Accreditation
The Costello College of Business at George Mason University is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and is among only 25 percent of AACSB-accredited business schools worldwide accredited in both business and accounting.
George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Costello College of Business Academic Programs
Dedicated to excellence in teaching and research, we prepare the next generation of business leaders through a range of innovative academic degree programs, executive education programs, and international alliances. The Donald G. Costello College of Business offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs designed to prepare students for work in a rapidly changing and competitive marketplace.
Undergraduate Programs
The Costello College of Business offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Business degree with eight concentrations and fourteen unique minors. Our BS in Business degree is offered online and in-person, including opportunities for hybrid learning.
Concentrations
- Concentrations
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Financial Planning and Wealth Management
- Management
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
Minors
- Business
- Business Analytics
- Energy Transition Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Globally Responsible Business Practices
- Government Contracting
- International Business
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Organizational Conflict Resolution
- Real Estate Development
- Wine and Craft Beverage Management
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Costello College of Business offers meaningful opportunities for student engagement and professional development through premier experiential learning programs.
Global Engagement Scholars
The Global Engagement Scholars Program is a semester-long series of workshops on diversity and inclusion topics such as cultural intelligence, cultural values, and unconscious bias. It assists students in developing their cultural competencies for the diverse workplace. This semester-long program is designed to help students understand their values, biases, and how to engage in a globally diverse environment. Students admitted to the program enhance their professional development portfolios and gain a competitive edge in the business field.
Impact Fellows
The Impact Fellows Program is a comprehensive two-year program designed to help students expand their networks and thrive as well-rounded leaders in today’s complex world. Based on the core belief that business should be a force for good in the world, the Impact Fellows Program provides an opportunity to deepen the classroom experience, build a community of students and mentors who share interests, and explore issues of sustainable business and the global challenges of our time.
Graduate Programs
Offering MBA, specialized master's degrees, and doctoral opportunities, the Costello College of Business at George Mason University is the right fit for you. Our graduate programs emphasize innovative academic curricula and strategic business partnerships designed to advance your career.
Programs
Costello College of Business offers the following graduate programs and certificates to equip business leaders with the skills needed to meet the demands of today's complex global economy.
- MBA
- MS in Accounting*
- MS in Business Analytics* (STEM designated)
- MS in Finance* (STEM designated)
- MS in Management*
- MS in Real Estate Development
- PhD in Business
* INDICATES POPULAR PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
Graduate Certificates
Earn a graduate certificate as a stand-alone option or apply your certificate credit towards one of our master's degree programs.
- Accounting Analytics
- Accounting for Government Contracts
- Business Analytics
- Business Fundamentals
- Business Fundamentals
- Government Contract Management
- Forensic Accounting
- Government Accounting
- Human Capital and HR Management
- Information Security Management
Costello College of Business Office of Career Services
Empowering You to be Your Own Career Advocate
The Office of Career Services within the Costello College of Business provides career advising, job search support and coaching for undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni. If you are a Costello College of Business student or a George Mason University business alumnus, you'll have lifetime access to the highly specialized business-focused career services, no matter where you are in your education or career.
College of Business students have access to highly specialized career services including:
- One-on-one career coaching
- Internship for Credit class options
- International Student Job Search workshops and specialized events
- Access to international job and internship listing database that includes global opportunities in 160+ countries
- Access to professional mentors through our MasonMentor platform
- Multiple job and internship fairs and networking events
Costello College of Business graduates find jobs and internships at top organizations in both the US and internationally including Accenture, Amazon, Capital One, Dell, Deloitte, Ford Motor Credit, IBM, KPMG and Volkswagen Group.
Highlights
George Mason graduates have one of the highest median wages in the first 3 years after graduation, when compared to graduates from business schools at Virginia’s other public universities • Top industries that hire George Mason graduates include: consulting, financial services, health care, and technology.
Centers
Impact is crucial to the Costello College of Business, and something emphasized consistently in all that we do, creating impact for our students, our university, and the world. Built around the college's three thematic initiatives of Ensuring Global Futures, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Digital Transformation of Work, our centers serve as connection points to and resources for the local, regional, and global community. Centers provide opportunities for global partnerships through faculty research and exchange, and engagement through learning workshops and speaker series. Our three centers of excellence include:
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship develops experiential learning opportunities to complement and expand traditional academic offerings; engages students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members in developing new ventures and organizations; and drives the growth of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. The SOAR Initiative provides a holistic model for startups and empowers individuals who do not currently have adequate access to entrepreneurship training opportunities. The Shrivastava Family Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship (RISE) program focuses on training, mentoring, and providing access to networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs from refugee and immigrant backgrounds. The RISE Program provides insights on how to start a small business locally and provides access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and network within the George Mason community.
Learn more about the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting
The Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting’s significant research has made an impact in the government contracting industry. Most recently, the center worked with the Acquisition Innovation Research Center to produce three reports for the Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) Reform. Center research includes a White Paper Series that shares cutting edge research on small business transition, intellectual property, DoD budget reform, acquisition reform, and industrial base resilience.
Learn more about The Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting.
Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship
The Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship is a catalyst between our Master’s in Real Estate program and the real estate industry, providing a forum for professional development and offering unique opportunities to connect with the real estate development community through networking events, educational programs, and industry organization memberships.
Learn more about the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship.
Executive Education
George Mason University's Executive Education programs deliver innovative and cutting-edge solutions to help leaders address organizational and professional challenges. Housed in the Donald G. Costello College of Business, Executive Education leverages the thought leadership and world-class scholarly excellence of George Mason University's ten schools and colleges to deliver innovative and impactful learning solutions that solve the challenges faced by organizations and leaders today.
Areas of Expertise and Programs
Leadership and Business Acumen
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Change Management
- Corporate Strategy and Innovation
- Data Analytics
- Digital and Social Media Marketing
- Digital Transformation
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Financial and Budget Management
- Government Accounting
- Marketing Strategy
- Operational Excellence
Senior Leadership and C-Suite Development
- Chief Data and Analytics Officer
- Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
- Chief Learning Officer
- Chief Risk Officer
- Excellence in Citizen Service
Government Contracting and Acquisition
- Acquisition Innovation and Agility
- Acquisition Leadership
- AI Acquisition Leadership and Immersion
- Cost and Price Analysis/Estimation
Donald G. Costello College of Business Faculty and Research
From current courses to cutting-edge research, Costello College of Business faculty members are actively involved in today’s global business practices and emerging proficiencies. Our 130+ faculty members are accomplished business professionals who are deeply engaged in the regional, national, and global business communities, acting as consultants to government, business, and nonprofit clients. Their academic expertise and real-world experience provide a bridge from academic theory to business practice in the classroom.
Faculty take a multidisciplinary approach, with the goal of ensuring that business can be a force for the greater good. College of Business faculty publish in leading business journals on wide-ranging global business issues, are cited by the press, and are actively engaged in making discoveries to address a wide set of societal and institutional challenges. As an acknowledged center for global business research, the Costello College of Business welcomes partnerships for faculty research, teaching, and engagement opportunities.
Impactful Scholarship
Three pillars define the real-world impact of Costello College of Business thought leadership:
- Ensuring Global Futures
- Digital Transformation of Work
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Academic Exchange & Partnerships
The Costello College of Business provides a range of global opportunities for academic exchange and partnerships, with more than 30 global partnership programs. Opportunities we provide include study abroad, dual degree, specialized pathways, faculty exchange, and research collaborations.
The Costello College of Business is proud to offer global engagement opportunities in many countries around the world. Our location in Virginia, and the Washington D.C., region as well as our international branch campus in Incheon, South Korea, offers a unique opportunity for student and faculty exchange programs. The College of Business works closely with George Mason’s Global Education Office to expand our global offerings through strategic partnerships with premier institutions abroad.
Exemplar global partnership programs:
- Burgundy School of Business, France
- EM Strasbourg, France
- Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany
- Insper, Brazil
- Mason Korea, South Korea
- Universidad Carlos III, Spain
- XIM University, India
Learn more about the International Collaboration Process.
For more information about global engagement opportunities with the Costello College of Business, contact:
JK Aier
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Global Engagement
jaier@gmu.edu
Meggan Ford
Specialist, Academic Affairs and Global Engagement
mford11@gmu.edu
Costello Summer Immersion Programs
Experiential Learning Programs for Global Leaders: Step beyond the classroom and into transformative learning experiences designed to prepare you to make a global impact.
Building Bridges: Cross-Cultural Leadership
Build leadership skills across cultures and organizations, while acquiring cultural intelligence through interactive workshops and real-world leadership challenges. Develop the skills to lead diverse teams and navigate complex cultural dynamics with confidence.
June 26 – July 2, 2027
Anticipated Schedule
- Day 1: Welcome and cultural orientation
- Day 2: Tour of Washington, D.C.; visit the National Mall and museums
- Day 3: Academic workshops and free time
- Day 4: Leadership workshop at Mount Vernon; Visit Old Town Alexandria
- Day 5: Free day
- Day 6: Leadership workshop and company visit
- Day 7: Program wrap-up celebration
Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Your global launchpad for innovation. Transform ideas into real ventures through hands-on projects, investor pitches, and direct engagement with startup ecosystems. Collaborate with international peers to develop entrepreneurial skills that launch innovations across borders.
July 7 – July 13, 2027
Anticipated Schedule
- Day 1: Cultural orientation: honeybee hive tour
- Day 2: Academic workshop; Visit the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MIX
- Day 3: Visit Nexus 234 (Startup Hub); Visit Manassas City Center and battlefield
- Day 4: Visit Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Museum
- Day 5: Free day
- Day 6: Academic workshop and free time
- Day 7: Program wrap-up celebration
| Important Dates and Information | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Shared university housing on Fairfax Campus |
| Transportation | Airport transfers, program, and cultural activities are included (airfare not included) |
| Meals | Lunches included during academic sessions (breakfast and dinner not included) |
| Cultural Opportunities | Smithsonian Museums, George Washington Leadership Institute, company visit, Tyson’s Galleria Mall, among others |
| Important Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Applications Accepted Starting | March 1, 2027 |
| Application Deadline | April 1, 2027 |
| Deposits Due | April 15, 2027 |
| Full Payment Due | June 1, 2027 |
For pricing and questions, contact: Theresa Hale, thale5@gmu.edu or Meggan Ford, mford11@gmu.edu.
