George Mason University is an American public research university with three campuses in Virginia. The main campus is located in Fairfax County, near Falls Church and Arlington. George Mason was founded as a branch of the University of Virginia in 1957 and became an independent institution in 1972. The university is named after George Mason, a Founding Father of the United States who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the basis for the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Mason offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees in over 190 areas of study within its twelve colleges and schools: College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Antonin Scalia Law School; Volgenau School of Engineering; School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution; Schar School of Policy and Government; College of Science; College of Visual and Performing Arts; Michael G. Foster School of Business; Honors College; Potomac Science Center; Prince William Campus which consists mostly graduate programs including Education Leadership Doctoral Programs & Public Policy PhD Program In addition to these academic offerings, Mason operates twenty research centers focused on areas ranging from public policy to nanotechnology. The school also runs an accredited professional degree program in information technology through its Volgenau School. Each year approximately 30% percent-40% percent students take part in international study programs offered by more than sixty countries worldwide.
The majority 70%-80% undergraduate students at Mason are Virginia residents, while most graduate students (approximately 60%) come from outside the state. Students enrolled at one time totaled 34,917, setting a record enrollment for fall semester 2012. Of these students 18,176 were undergraduates while 16,741 were graduate or professional students,[15{{cn}} ] With this large student body comes great diversity as well – with over 132 countries represented among students as well as all fifty states.[16{{cn}} ][17{{cn}} ] Additionally there are 1,600 full-time faculty members teaching at George Mason representing a 4 to 1 student/faculty ratio.[18{{sfn|Mason Facts 2017-2018|p=6}} ]
George Mason University first opened its doors as an extension center for the University Of Virginia 57 years ago on September 21st 1959. Since then it has rapidly grown into one third largest public institution in Virginia boasting an enrollment rate that set records in 2012 with 34 thousand plus attendees . It has since been unofficially dubbed “Virginia’s Public Ivy” due to it consistently being ranked alongside top private institutions like Ivy League schools . As stated before , 70-80 % undergraduate population are Virginian residents with the other 20-30 % coming from out state or even internationally . There is no typical student here at GMU however most range between 20-24 years old . About 30 percent participate some form international studies which takes place all around world including locations such 60 different countries . Obviously with any college , certain majors will be more popular than others but business , computer science , psychology , economics seem to stand out most recent years . Alumni have gone on become CEO’s senators , award winning journalists , astronauts etc… If you’re looking good value education look no further than George Mason University