Study Elsewhere

Study Elsewhere

Once a student accepts an offer of admission to George Mason University, they are expected to complete all courses at George Mason. If students experience challenges with enrollment, course options, or scheduling, it is highly recommended to consult with an Costello College of Business Academic Advisor to explore available options. Students must submit the  Study Elsewhere form found on the Registrar’s forms page.

Conditions for Taking Courses Elsewhere 

Students may be permitted to take courses at other institutions under extenuating circumstances only. Acceptable reasons for studying elsewhere do not include: 

  • Scheduling convenience 
  • Commuting convenience 
  • Financial reasons (e.g., lower cost) 
  • Preference for a specific subject or instructor 

Study Elsewhere is intended as an exception when a course is not offered, preventing a degree requirement from being met at Mason. It is not intended to offset course loads or financial costs. A course that is offered but has closed course sections for a given semester is not an accepted reason for Study Elsewhere.   

Approval Process for Study Elsewhere 

Before enrolling in courses at another institution, students must submit a written request and receive pre-approval. Failure to obtain pre-approval will result in the denial of transfer credit for courses taken elsewhere. The approval process also applies to courses taken through the Consortium. 

Students are not allowed to retroactively seek approval for courses taken at another institution, nor will courses be transferred if taken during an academic suspension from Mason. 

The Request to Study Elsewhere form must go through the following approval levels: 

  1. Business Academic Advisor: The student’s Business Academic Advisor must approve the request. 
  2. Major Program/Department: Approval must be obtained from the student’s program or department. 
  3. Course Department: The department offering the Mason equivalent course must approve the request (e.g., the Math department for a MATH 108 request). 

Study Elsewhere Deadlines: 

  • Fall Semester: August 1 
  • Spring Semester: January 2 
  • Summer Semester: May 1  

Additional Information and Limitations: 

  • Departmental Approval: Each department at Mason has its own policies and guidelines for approving Study Elsewhere requests and final approval rests with the department offering the course. 
  • Credit Limitations: Undergraduate students are limited to 9 credit hours they can take in Costello College of Business disciplines from other institutions.
    • Accreditation Requirement: Courses taken at other institutions must be from accredited institutions. For courses fulfilling major or graduate requirements, they must be taken at institutions accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). 
  • Two-Year Institution Limitations: Courses taken at two-year institutions cannot fulfill upper-level requirements (300-level and above). 
  • Writing Intensive Courses: Courses that fulfill the Writing Intensive requirement for the degree (e.g., MKTG 471) will not be approved for Study Elsewhere under any circumstances. 
  • Pre-Approval: Submitted pre-approval is required for all Study Elsewhere requests. Courses taken without pre-approval will not transfer to Mason. 
  • Course Requirements: Students must meet all Mason course prerequisites and requirements (e.g., class level, successful completion of prerequisites). 
  •  No Convenience-Based Requests: Study Elsewhere requests based on convenience or expense will not be granted. 
  • Academic Suspension: Students on academic suspension are not permitted to study elsewhere. 
  • CLEP Exams: Current Mason students with declared majors in the Costello College of Business may not receive credit for CLEP exams. 
  • See  AP.1.4.2 for additional information regarding Permission to Study Elsewhere in the University Catalog