FAQ Transfer Students

An enhanced opportunity for the most motivated students from all majors at Mason.

• Curriculum: The Honors College offers an enhanced alternative general education curriculum comprised of small, highly interactive seminar-type classes.
• Programming: The Honors College offers co-curricular programming to help students excel academically, connect socially, and pursue the things they care about most.
• Support: You will receive additional support from an Honors College advisor, help navigating your transition, and extra help if you run into challenges along the way.

We focus on inquiry-based, civic, and experiential learning.

• Research: 100% of Honors College students begin conducting individual research their first semester. 44% conduct research with a faculty mentor before graduating.
• Civic learning: All Honors College students take a civic learning course. 12 nonprofits are chosen to partner with us each year. 
• Experiential learning: Students may participate in hands-on classes that develop professional skills. 110 Honors College students engage in partnership projects with local corporations, nonprofits, and government institutions each year. Numerous other students have experiential learning experiences through our partnerships with the Early Identification Program, through Peer Mentorship programs, and more. 

Learn with a community that inspires you to do your best.

• At Mason: Excellent graduation rates. Before graduation, 80% of ours students are in RSOs, with over half in leadership roles; 63% participate in service work; 73% have internships.
• In Grad School: Honors College grads attend the most prestigious graduate, law, and medical schools, from Harvard to Stanford and from UVA to University of California.
• Top Careers; Honors College grads work in leadership positions in every industry and field - in law firms, health systesms, corporations, and the government.

Information about Honors College advising, including a list of advisors, can be found here.  

Interested students can join any of the Honors College student organizations listed below. Information about opportunities and events can also be found on the weekly Honors College newsletter. 

• Honors College Recruitment Team
• Honors College Connects
• Honors College Student Advisory Board 
• Honors College Peer Mentors
• Honors College Communications Team

No. There are no additional tuition and fees for Honors College courses.

No. The Honors College does not award transfer students specific scholarships to join. However, after students matriculate to the Honors College, they can choose to apply for specific Honors College scholarships. Applying for an Honors College scholarship does not guarantee that you will receive it.

The Honors College will evaluate the classes you’ve taken and award appropriate credit.

• Credit from before Mason. After admission, the Honors College will evaluate transfer, AP/ IB, and dual enrollment credits and determine if they can be used as substitutes for relevant Honors College curriculum requirements.

• Mason Core credits. Current Mason students may use Mason Core Exploration courses to substitute for up to 4 of the 7 required Honors College seminar

• Natural science and math. Natural science and math classes used to fulfill major requirements are accepted by the Honors College. You will have the option to take enhanced H-sections available for certain classes.

• Other Mason credits. Admission to the Honors College does not impact your major or minor requirements.

• Minimum requirements. At a minimum, Honors College students must take 3 HNRS seminars:

  • 3-4 credits: Foundations of Inquiry and Research - HNRS 110 + 111 or 302

  • 3 credits: Civic Engagement - HNRS 260 or 261

  • 3 credits: Multidisciplinary Challenges - HNRS 360 or 361

This chart illustrates the list of Honors College seminars that can be substituted.

To plan accordingly, the Honors College Planning Form is available. This form assists you in understanding where you stand in terms of the Honors College requirements and Mason Core requirements.