Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for COMMUNICATION

Transfer Guidance

Transfer Admission Requirements

• Transfer applicants must present a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

• Prior to applying, VCCS applicants must complete an English composition equivalent to ENGH 101 (ENG 112). Students may provide secondary school coursework or test scores demonstrating English language proficiency.

• Prior to applying, VCCS applicants must complete a college-level math course.

• GAA applicants must present a minimum 2.85 cumulative GPA. For more information about Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements, visit: https://www.vccs.edu/transfer-programs/

Important Links & Dates

• Office of Transfer Services: https://www.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/transfer/office-transfer-services

• Admission Application: By Oct 1 or March 1 at https://www.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now

• Financial Aid: https://www.gmu.edu/financial-aid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 15 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• For the BA in Communication, introductory courses for the major (such as COMM 200) may be completed prior to transfer to Mason.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and George Mason within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Are you curious about human behavior and how we are influenced? Do you enjoy being creative with video or writing? Do you enjoy working with others to solve problems? Are you interested in being prepared for a career in the competitive global job market? If so, the Communication major at George Mason University will be a great fit for you!

• The communication major prepares undergraduate students for their future in several ways. Students will: engage in critical thinking to work through numerous issues from interpersonal to organizational levels; hone their writing skills whether it's through our journalism or digital media programs or as a persuasive writer in political communication, public relations, or strategic communication; consider listening as a fundamental communication skill; sharpen their public speaking skills to address small groups to mass audiences; and prepare themselves to contribute to various organizations and contexts by demonstrating strong leadership and management skills.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Students who complete a transfer associate degree (AS, AA, AA&S, or AFA) from a Virginia Community College will receive a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower division) Mason Core general education categories. To be eligible for the waiver, students must provide the George Mason Office of Admissions with a final, official transcript reflecting the degree conferral date. As a prerequisite for ENGH 302, ENGH 101 is not waived. Students must transfer in or complete ENGH 100 or ENGH 101 at George Mason with a C or higher.

• Dual Enrollment - Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Applicants are required to apply as freshmen.

• Credit for Prior Learning: Credit by exam may be used to fulfill General Education and/or major requirements. See: https://www.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now/how-apply/transfer/transfer-credit-policy

• Catalog Year: Catalog year is determined by first term of attendance at George Mason.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located in Fairfax, Virginia, within the Washington metropolitan area, George Mason enrolls more than 28,000 undergraduate students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries in 78 in-demand majors.

• More than 4,500 new transfer students choose George Mason each year, and the university has been recognized as the most diverse in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report.

• Transfer students are welcome to live among our 7700-student residential community or off campus. The Office of Contemporary Student Services is dedicated to the support of off-campus transfers.

• 65% of George Mason students receive financial aid.

• 22 Division I men's and women's sports teams, plus club and intramural leagues, and more than 400 student organizations.

• For more information, visit: https://www.gmu.edu/transfer

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at George Mason University?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Communication is foundational to every career choice and communication skills are necessary for success in all fields and disciplines. The major is particularly useful for those who want to help people and/or organizations to understand their audience and reach them effectively. Any of our six minor programs are great for accentuating the personal skills developed in other majors.

• Everyone communicates daily. At George Mason, we have a top-notch faculty; our Career Services will help with internship and job opportunities; and a degree in COMM gives you the flexibility in finding jobs in diverse fields in Public Relations, media, journalism, marketing, government and non-profit organizations of all kinds. It is a useful degree that can be adapted to a number of career avenues.

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org

Program Successes & Highlights

• The Department of Communication at George Mason University is very excited about what we offer our students. We truly believe our location, the diversity of the student body and faculty, and our dedication to our students sets us apart.

• Internships in the greater Washington DC area. Examples: All major sports teams, major museums, major theater venues, chambers of commerce, major PR agencies, the Federal Government and so many more.

• We have alums who work in all areas of COMM including top PR firms, as government contractors, CNN/Wavy TV 10, DC101, ESPN, professional sports teams, education, and many continue to graduate programs. Noteworthy former students: Kitty Gambel, Senior Vice President, Unscripted and Alternative Television at MGM; Jorge Andres, Anchor for NBC Sports Miami, announcer for Sunday Night Football on Telemundo; and 2025 Alumnae of the Year, Diana Russini, NFL reporter and insider.

Do More With Your Degree!

• A major in Communication prepares you for the world. Pairing your current major with one of our minors strengthens your foundation for success. You can also look at doing a double major with Communication or pairing one or two non-Communication minors with a Communication major to create an unbeatable resume. Often, you can do this either with no extra time or minimal extra time at Mason.

• We offer numerous hands-on experiences in our writing, video, radio/podcasting and public relations classes that allow students to take what they're learning in the classroom and apply these skills to internships and jobs.

• Join Student Media organizations to earn valuable on-campus experience in writing, video and audio (e.g. podcasting).

• There are numerous Study Abroad experiences where Communication faculty lead trips to places like France and Italy. On these trips, you can earn 3-6 credits of coursework.

• Proximity to DC and NYC, which are arguably the epicenter of the news and strategic communication industries in America, allows a Mason Comm major access to extraordinary internship and network development opportunities.