Undergraduate Student Resources

Undergraduate students in good standing (cumulative GPA at or above 2.0) are permitted to enroll in up to 18 hours of coursework per semester. In exceptional circumstances, students may request an overload of the maximum credit hours allowed. Requests must be approved at the academic advisor level before consideration by the CVPA Academic Affairs Office.

All undergraduate students who are planning an absence from George Mason must submit a formal request for Leave of Absence through the online portal provided by the Registrar's Office. Students do not need to request a Leave of Absence if they are participating in a university-sponsored study abroad program or have received permission to study elsewhere.  Find the full university policy on Leave of Absence described under AP 1.8.

Students wishing to take a course at a different institution must get pre-approval from both the CVPA academic dean and the academic dean for the requested course (two signatures). There are specific circumstances when this can be approved.

Students are permitted to take up to a maximum of 9 credit hours elsewhere if they meet the following criteria at a minimum:

• Fewer than 60 credit hours of transfer coursework,
• A minimum 2.0 GPA at the time of the request.

Notes:

• If a course is offered at Mason Korea or George Mason Fairfax, whether online or face-to-face, permission will NOT be granted to take this course elsewhere except in the case of unusual circumstances. Students may submit a study elsewhere request to take general elective courses or courses that are not being offered at the campus in which they are studying.
• Students in their first semester of coursework at George Mason are ineligible for Study Elsewhere.
• Financial hardship alone is not a sufficient reason for approval of a study elsewhere request.
• Once approved, courses elsewhere must be taken for a grade and be passed with a grade of C or higher in order to be transferred back to George Mason. Although credit for the course will be transferred, the grade for the course will not.

Students should also review the policies under AP.1.4.2 Permission to Study Elsewhere in the George Mason catalog.

Students who have been away from the university, who either did not submit a leave of absence form or were ineligible to take a formal leave of absence, and who have been away for fewer than four semesters must re-enroll in order to register for courses. Please connect with your academic advisor first, and then utilize the online portal through the Registrar’s office to submit a re-enrollment request.

Students returning from dismissal from the university must submit a request to return to George Mason through their Academic Advisor, but only after a minimum of three calendar years from the university. See item AP.5.2.6 in the University Catalog for more information.

Students in academic standing of suspension have a registration hold placed on their record that prevents enrollment in future coursework. Upon return from the suspension period, the student must have an Academic Advisor Approval form and Student Success Plan reviewed by their advisor and signed. After the form and plan have been completed, they must be submitted to the CVPA Academic Affairs Office for final approval. Upon receipt by the CVPA Academic Affairs Office, students will be advised about an additional requirement of completion of a Learning Services workshop. Upon completion of that workshop, the hold will be removed.

Deadlines to request a return from suspension:

• December 1 for the following spring semester
• April 15 for the following fall semester (students missing this deadline may be approved on a case-by-case basis).

All requests must originate from the professor of the course. For assistance, please see your Academic Advisor. 

1. Students wishing to appeal a final grade in a CVPA course must start with a written request (email is fine) to the instructor of the course, citing reasons and/or any new information as to why the posted grade is being appealed. Instructors have at least one week to respond to such requests.
    
2. If the instructor of the course does not find suitable justification for a revised final grade, the appeal process moves forward to the department of the course – contact information below. Students must contact the department and follow whatever procedure is required and outlined by each department.
   1. School of Art
   2. Computer Game Design
   3. School of Dance
   4. Film and Video Studies
   5. School of Music
   6. School of Theater
3. If the department of the course does not find suitable justification for a revised final grade, the appeal process moves forward to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs as the final step. Students must submit a formal, written narrative (email is fine), detailing the circumstances of the appeal, as well as any documentation such as attempt(s) at communication with instructor, course syllabus, student transcript showing the current grade, course papers, any other relevant documentation.

Decisions made by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs are final.

• Academic Complaints
  Students may file a formal complaint and provide supporting documentation to the CVPA Office of Student Affairs for an academic reason and/or as an escalation beyond the department of their major. Students may remain anonymous in these complaints if they prefer.

• Reporting an Instance of Bias or Discrimination
  Learn how to Report Bias and Discrimination.

• Non-Academic Complaints
  Students may file a formal written complaint to the University for a non-academic reason by visiting the central Complaints page.

Substitution/Waiver request forms are used to either substitute or waive a degree requirement. For CVPA students, these requests require a signature from the Assistant Dean. The form is reviewed and approved by the college that houses the major or minor. 

Students may request a withdrawal after the drop deadline for non-academic reasons. Requests are considered only under exceptional circumstances. Students will need to provide verifiable, third-party documentation with the request.

In order to request a withdrawal, you must submit the CVPA Undergraduate Student Request for Withdrawal form to your advisor. If approved by your Advisor, this form must be submitted to the CVPA Academic Affairs office for review.

Students enrolled in degree programs may process a maximum of three selective withdrawals during their entire undergraduate career at Mason. The three classes may have any number of credits. Refer to the university catalog for more information.