Mason Online

Archives: Programs

Special Education (MEd)

Program Description

The online Master of Education in Special Education prepares students to address the complex learning needs of individuals with disabilities. George Mason’s unique, innovative approach to inclusive education is designed to benefit learners with disabilities throughout their entire lives.

Students enrolled in George Mason University’s online special education master’s degree program have the option of the supporting graduate certificate track in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The Virginia Department of Health Professions recommends healthcare professionals who work with children to complete continuing education on communicating with those with autism spectrum disorder. Individual licensing boards may include specific continuing education programs. Learn more by visiting the Virginia Law website.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate

  • Field experience not required
  • Extensive community, school, and agency perspectives addressed
  • Emphasis on working with autistic individuals across their lifespans

Ranked #7 of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Special Education Programs

Learning Technologies (Graduate Certificate Concentration in e‑Learning)

Program Description

The Learning Technologies Certificate with a Concentration in e-Learning provides specialized knowledge in instructional design and e-Learning practices that utilize current and emerging technologies to meet education and training goals in government, industry, and non-profit organizational settings. Individuals seeking to enhance their e-Learning skill set grounded in instructional design best practices are encouraged to apply.

Complete the certificate within a year and apply all 15 credits to the online MS in Learning Design and Technology degree. Gain specialized knowledge in learning or instructional design and e-Learning practices using current technologies and theories.

Accounting (MS)

Program Description

Our highly ranked STEM-designated Master of Science in Accounting prepares students to succeed in today’s fast-evolving financial landscape. The program emphasizes current trends in accounting, business ethics, and corporate governance, developing professionals equipped to solve complex challenges in the field. With a curriculum designed to meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure in Virginia and many other states, students gain the academic foundation needed to sit for the CPA exam and other professional certifications. The program builds advanced expertise in audit, financial reporting, and tax accounting, while offering the opportunity to tailor your degree with a graduate certificate in forensic accounting, government accounting, analytics, or government contracting. Graduates are prepared to pursue a wide range of respected credentials, including the CPA, CMA, CGFM, CFE, CFA, and CFP.

Gifted Education (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Gifted Child Education Graduate Certificate prepares experienced educators to design and deliver advanced, concept‑based learning experiences that meet the unique academic and social needs of gifted learners.

Offered 100% online, this graduate certificate emphasizes high‑level thinking, problem‑based learning, and curriculum differentiation, equipping teachers with research‑based strategies to challenge and engage gifted students.

Aligned with graduate standards from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the program supports professional growth for educators seeking leadership roles in gifted education, curriculum design, and instructional coaching.

Banner code: E1-CERG-EDGE

Autism Spectrum Disorders (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The online Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) graduate certificate* at George Mason University provides students with the skills needed to successfully enhance opportunities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This part-time online program prepares professionals and family members to work with children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in school, home, and community settings. Most programs have an emphasis on school-age children with ASD – but this program has a broader range of application with a focus that expands to adolescence, transition to adulthood, adulthood, and aging. The emphasis on working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders across their lifespans makes this program unique.

The Virginia Department of Health Professions recommends healthcare professionals who work with children to complete continuing education on communicating with those with autism spectrum disorder. Individual licensing boards may include specific continuing education programs. Learn more by visiting the Virginia Law website.

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This certificate does not require any field experience (internship or practicum). Instead, the coursework has extensive video case studies of four individuals with ASD and application activities to aid in experiential learning. The program can be a stand-alone graduate certificate or a specialization of George Mason’s online special education master’s degree program.

*This program is intended to provide advanced study of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). George Mason University is currently exploring autism-specific licensure opportunities that may exist in your state upon completion of the program; however, this degree program is not intended to fully prepare students for teaching licensure in any state. Students are strongly encouraged to be proactive and verify all licensure information.

Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool (https://provost.gmu.edu/licensure) for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.

Education Leadership (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

This 24-credit Education Leadership graduate certificate is reserved for applicants who already have a master’s degree and a valid teaching license. This program emphasizes an understanding of the complexities of change in schools, communities, and organizations. Participants develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to create and maintain learning environments that value diversity, continual knowledge acquisition, instructional leadership, innovative and ethical decision making, reflective practice, and successful achievement of all students.

Geospatial Intelligence (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

As a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Geospatial Sciences, Mason is a leader in Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) education. Accredited by USGIF, this program is ideal for those employed in geospatial intelligence applications. Those working for federal agencies or as corporate personnel, or those interested in entering the field, will benefit from coursework in this program. Students gain fundamental GEOINT knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to a wide range of geospatial intelligence situations.

Banner code: SC-CERG-GI

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

Through collecting, storing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting complex biological data, scientists in the field of bioinformatics and computational biology make critical contributions to disease detection, drug design, forensics, agriculture, and environmental sciences through the combination of biological analysis and high-performance computing. This program addresses the growing national and regional demand for trained computational biologists, combining a solid foundation in biotechnology with computational skills relevant to bioinformatics. Ideal candidates have a background in biological and computer sciences.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (MS)

Program Description

The Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology prepares students to analyze and interpret complex biological data using advanced computational, statistical, and bioinformatics methods.

Offered 100% online through the College of Science at George Mason University, this interdisciplinary master’s program integrates biology, computer science, and high‑performance computing to address real‑world challenges in biomedical research, genomics, drug discovery, systems biology, and data‑driven life sciences.

Designed for professionals and students with backgrounds in the biological or computational sciences, the program equips graduates with the skills needed to develop and apply modern bioinformatics tools and software in research, industry, and government settings.

Scientists in bioinformatics and computational biology collect, store, analyze, interpret, and present complex biological data. Through biological analysis and high-performance computing, critical contributions are made to basic biology, disease detection, drug design, modeling biosystems, forensics, agriculture, and environmental sciences. This program addresses growing national and regional demand for trained computational biologists. Graduates are qualified to pursue careers that require knowledge and applications of current bioinformatics methods and the ability to develop and use new bioinformatics software.

Banner code: SC-MS-BCB

Information Technology (BS)

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology prepares students to apply information technology solutions to real‑world business and organizational challenges.

Offered 100% online through the Volgenau School of Engineering at George Mason University, this ABET‑accredited undergraduate program emphasizes problem‑solving, communication, and technical skills across core IT areas such as information systems, networking, cybersecurity, and web technologies.

Designed for students seeking career‑ready preparation, the BS in Information Technology equips graduates to support business processes, manage IT resources, and adapt to emerging technologies, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate study in applied information technology and related fields.

This bachelor’s degree program prepares students to apply IT to support business processes by producing graduates with strong problem-solving, writing, and communication skills who successfully compete for technical employment and are prepared for advanced study. Graduates are expected to achieve improved organizational objectives; progress through increasing levels of responsibility in the workplace; demonstrate ethical, social, and professional responsibility consistent with professional societies; work effectively in teams; and grow through self-study, continuing education, and professional development.

Banner code: EC-BS-INFT