Program Description

Improve your government financial management knowledge with a graduate certificate in government accounting from the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.

Better understand the expansive nature of government accounting and gain greater confidence in your career. 

George Mason University’s graduate certificate in government accounting, in partnership with Kearney & Company, is an opportunity for you to acquire education in the field of government accounting with a federal government emphasis. Courses in the certificate program will also help prepare you to sit for the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) exam sponsored by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA).

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Program Summary

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Program: Government Accounting – Certificate

Degree: Graduate Certificate

College/School: Costello College of Business

Credits: 12 total

Admissions

All students registering for Costello College of Business graduate courses must have graduate standing.  Non-degree student status is not available.

Full eligibility and admission requirements can be viewed on the program website.

Policies

Students may use the credits completed as part of their graduate degree requirements in accordance with program requirements and AP.6 Graduate Policies. A maximum of 3 graduate credits taken at another institution can be transferred to the graduate certificate. The time limit for completion is six years from the date of admission to the graduate certificate. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 to complete the certificate.

Graduate level courses offered by the Costello College of Business cannot be audited.

ACCT 672 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting 1 3
or ACCT 792 Seminar in Accounting
ACCT 611 Advanced Issues in Managerial Accounting 3
ACCT 742 Governance and Ethics 3
ACCT 772 Federal Accounting and Reporting 3
Total Credits 12

Tuition and Fee Structure

  • Tuition: Tuition is billed per credit hour with additional fees as appropriate. If a student is a resident of Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., in-state rates will apply. For all other students, out-of-state rates will apply. Rates and fees are subject to change.
  • Fees:
    • Mandatory Student Fee: This is a mandatory fee based on credit enrollment. The Mandatory Student Fee supports the maintenance of facilities and buildings, auxiliary services, intercollegiate athletics, campus shuttle, academic services, student activities, and health services.
    • Enrollment Deposit: All new masters and certificate students must pay a $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit, which is used to reserve your seat for the term to which you applied and is applied toward your tuition. All applicants under the following categories will automatically have their enrollment deposits waived: Bachelor’s/Accelerated Masters (BAM), George Mason Employees, Refugees, Student/Athletes, and US Military Active Duty & Veterans.
    • Graduate New Student Fee: This is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time $60 fee. The fee is charged to the account of every newly admitted, degree-seeking student at the time of registration, regardless of orientation attendance or enrollment status.
  • Potential Additional Costs: 
    • Books: average is $150 per course
    • Airfare to and from the country of your global residency (depends on graduate program)
  • Health Insurance: George Mason University makes health insurance available to eligible students through Aetna Student Health. George Mason University requires J-1 and F-1 visa status students to have health insurance coverage under University Policy. The Insurance Office will automatically enroll F-1 and J-1 visa students into the school selected health plan. Visit the Student Health Services webpage for more information.

For more information on current tuition rates and fees, visit the Student Accounts website.

FAFSA

To apply for need-based federal assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Learn more about applying for FAFSA.

Career Opportunities

George Mason University’s graduate certificate in government accounting, in partnership with Kearney & Company, is an opportunity for you to acquire education in the field of government accounting with a federal government emphasis. Courses in the certificate program will also help prepare you to sit for the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) exam sponsored by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA).

Typical students work in the areas of financial management, accounting, auditing, IT, budgeting, policy, grants management, performance management, and other areas that help the government work more efficiently and effectively.

The Graduate Admissions Team at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University is here to support you through every step of your admissions journey.

Reach out to us with your questions. If you have worked with any of our staff members previously, please contact them directly.

General Inquiries can always be directed to 703-993-8006 or sbusgrad@gmu.edu.