George Mason University - Nursing Programs

George Mason University (GMU) is a public institution in Fairfax County, Virginia. Established in 1949, it started as a branch campus of the University of Virginia. GMU became an independent institution in 1972. It is named after George Mason, who was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. However, he was one of three delegates who refused to sign the declaration. Along with the campus in Fairfax, GMU operates four other campuses, including a campus in Songdo, South Korea. The remaining three campuses are in Virginia. GMU operates over a dozen professional schools and colleges, including the College of Health and Human Services, which was founded in 1985 as the GMU School of Nursing.

The university offers several CCNE-accredited nursing programs. Available programs include options for earning a BSN, MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. Registered nurses may apply to the RN to BSN or RN to MSN programs. A BSN to DNP program is also available. Students enrolled in the traditional or accelerated BSN programs receive clinical experiences at various clinical settings throughout the metro DC area. The accelerated program is a 12-month, full-time program while the traditional program may be completed in two years after completing two years of prerequisite courses.

Updated on: 15 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

4 consecutive quarters
full-time
Total program credits: 79
Program admits students for autumn and spring quarters

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field required
Minimum cumulative college-level GPA: 2.80
Minimum grade of 3.0 in each prerequisite course
Applicants expected to have 100 hours of paid or volunteer healthcare experience in one setting for three months or more, completed within 12 months before application
Personal statement and letter of recommendation from a healthcare provider required
College transcripts required

Prerequisites

Chemistry sequence: CHEM 120, CHEM 220, CHEM 221 (three-quarter series for UW students; two-quarter sequence—one general chemistry and one organic—for non-UW applicants)
Biology: BIOL 118, BIOL 119
Microbiology: MICROM 301 plus MICROM 302 for UW students; non-UW applicants must take a separate microbiology laboratory if not included in general microbiology course
NURS 301/B STR 301
Nutrition: NUTR 200
Lifespan growth and development: NURS 201 or equivalent
One statistics course (examples: STAT 220, STAT 311, Q SCI 381, QMETH 201, EDPSY 490)
Minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA in natural science courses
At least three prerequisite science courses must be completed with minimum grade 3.0 prior to application

Deadlines

Admission occurs twice per year for autumn and spring quarter
Application deadline: the preceding autumn quarter for each cohort

Application

Submit online application and official college transcripts
Resume or documentation outlining volunteer/paid healthcare experience, community service, and leadership
Personal statement reflecting healthcare experience and fit for nursing role
Letter of recommendation from a healthcare provider (employer or volunteer coordinator)
If offered admission, applicant must pay for a background check specified by the School of Nursing
Applicants must be exempt from all UW English language proficiency requirements before starting the program

Selection Process

Admission selection is capacity constrained
Applications reviewed for academic metrics, prerequisite completion, healthcare experience, statement, and recommendation
Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Simulation Center used for clinical simulation exercises
Supervised direct patient care in field placements

Credit Transfer

Courses from the prior earned degree may satisfy general education, nursing prerequisites, and electives
Equivalent or higher-level coursework may be substituted with academic adviser approval

International Students

Applicants must be exempt from all UW English language proficiency requirements to begin the program

Contacts

School of Nursing Office of Student and Academic Services: (206) 543-8736
Toll-free: 1 (800) 759-6877 (1-800-759-NURS)
Office location: Health Sciences Building T301, University of Washington, Seattle

Updated on: 25 Aug, 2024

The GMU BSN Program allows three tracks of entry into the BSN program with the first track being a two year curriculum for full time study following the completion of nursing pre-requisite and general education college level requirements.

The second track is a mobility program for RNs with current unencumbered licenses to pursue a BSN and to be completed in one year of full time study without considering perquisite and general education coursework. The other accelerated BSN program is open to students who possess Bachelor degrees in another field and is intended to be completed in one year of full time study.

The program admits students who have already completed the pre-nursing curriculum in two years of full time college enrollment to be admitted into the nursing program in the fall of their junior year for the first two tracks and either spring or fall for the third track.

Admission to the program is competitive with qualified candidates ranked on the basis of their application documents. All applicants accepted into the BSN program are required to submit health clearance including immunization series.

All students must also have current CPR certification for health care providers and current health insurance for clinical components.

BSN students, except RN-BSN candidates will be required to take part in preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination in a manner that is integrated into all components of the curriculum as well as in exam format.