Master in Telecommunications (MS)

Program Description

This program is designed for students who currently work in or wish to enter the field of telecommunications. Recent graduates and experienced professionals will benefit from the tools and knowledge gained through this program. Concentrating on practical applications rather than theoretical approaches, the curriculum blends cutting-edge, engineering-oriented courses in communication networks and protocols, network applications and security, and wireless and fiber-optic communications with courses in systems engineering, legal, and policy aspects of modern communications systems.

What it costs

The total cost for this program is $813.25 per credit hour for VA state residents or $1,581.25 per credit hour for Non-VA residents. See the Cost tab below for a breakdown of tuition and fees. All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.

Application Deadline

This program has an application deadline of March 15 for Fall and October 15 for Spring. The application deadline for non-degree students is August 15 for Fall and January 4 for Spring. For all application information and deadlines, see the Admissions site.

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Who should apply?

The MS in Telecommunications is designed to be accessible for those with or without a technical background. Recent graduates as well as more experienced professionals will be empowered by the tools and knowledge gained in the program.

Why choose George Mason?

George Mason is ideally located in the heart of Northern Virginia’s high tech corridor, which allows for matured industry partnerships.
All classes are taught by full-time faculty or highly qualified, experienced adjunct faculty. From among our highly experienced faculty, the program boasts a member of the Society of Satellite Professionals International Hall of Fame.
Students can pursue one of three graduate certificates as part of your degree program to demonstrate an area of specialization to employers, including the fully online Advanced Networking Protocols for Telecommunications program.
This curriculum is updated regularly to remain relevant to advances in the field.
Courses are conveniently offered in the late afternoon or evening, and a majority of courses can be completed from anywhere you need to be.
This degree program may also be completed as part of the Accelerated MS in Telecommunications in conjunction with four undergraduate degree programs: BS in Systems Engineering, BS in Information Technology, BS in Individualized Studies, and BS in Electrical Engineering. See the catalog for full details.

Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 30 credits total

9 credits core courses
6 credits elective core courses
15 credits emphasis courses

Prerequisite courses or instructor permission may be required for some courses in this program. Please speak with your academic advisor.

You can complete at least 80% of the courses in this program online. Most courses are delivered synchronously and offerings vary by semester.

Core Courses (9 credits)

TCOM 500 Modern Telecommunications | 3 credits
TCOM 521 Systems Engineering for Telecommunications Management | 3 credits (face-to-face only)
TCOM 535 The TCP/IP Suite of Internet Protocols | 3 credits

Elective Core Courses (6 credits)

3 credits approved face-to-face course (PUBP 726, TCOM 514, TCOM 515, TCOM 547, or TCOM 750)

Emphasis Courses (15 credits)

Students must complete 15 credits from one of the following emphasis areas. Only online options are listed. Three of the four emphases can be completed entirely online. Contact your program advisor for additional emphasis course options that are available face-to-face.

Option 1: Network Technologies Emphasis

TCOM 535 The TCP/IP Suite of Internet Protocols | 3 credits (if not already taken for core)
TCOM 561 Security, Privacy, and Applied Cryptography for Telecommunications | 3 credits
TCOM 609 Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) Routing | 3 credits
TCOM 610 Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Routing | 3 credits
TCOM 661 Digital Media Forensics | 3 credits
CS 756 Performance Analysis of Computer Networks | 3 credits

Option 2: Network Applications Emphasis

TCOM 535 The TCP/IP Suite of Internet Protocols | 3 credits (if not already taken for core)
TCOM 561 Security, Privacy, and Applied Cryptography for Telecommunications | 3 credits
TCOM 609 Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) Routing | 3 credits
TCOM 610 Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Routing | 3 credits
TCOM 611 Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) | 3 credits
TCOM 662 Advanced Secure Networking | 3 credits
CS 756 Performance Analysis of Computer Networks | 3 credits
INFS 612 Principles and Practices of Communication Networks | 3 credits

Option 3: Wireless Communications Emphasis

TCOM 551 Digital Communications Systems | 3 credits
TCOM 552 Introduction to Mobile Communications Systems | 3 credits
9 credits face-to-face courses approved by program advisor

Option 4: Systems Engineering of Telecommunications

TCOM 561 Security, Privacy, and Applied Cryptography for Telecommunications | 3 credits
SYST 510 Systems Definition and Cost Modeling | 3 credits
SYST 513 Total Systems Engineering, Reengineering, and Enterprise Integration | 3 credits
SYST 520 Systems Engineering Design | 3 credits
SYST 542 Decision Support Systems Engineering | 3 credits
INFS 612 Principles and Practices of Communication Networks | 3 credits
INFS 614 Database Management | 3 credits

Note that only two SYST courses can be taken for credit.

Tuition (2021-2022)

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT HOUR
Virginia Resident	$663.00
Non-Virginia Resident	$1,431.00
Mandatory Student fee	$150.25
Total Cost per Credit for VA Residents	$813.25
Total Cost per Credit for Non-VA Residents	$1,581.25
Graduate New Student Fee	$60 (non-refundable, one-time fee)

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Additionally, your current employer may provide tuition reimbursement opportunities for graduate studies.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this program are highly qualified as network engineers and administrators. Many have been offered positions at world-class institutions including:

Amazon
Google
Cisco
Verizon
TASC
Juniper Networks
US Federal Agencies (Varies)
Sprint Communications
Raytheon

As a Mason student, you may contact Mason Career Services for more career information and counseling.

USEFUL RESOURCES
Program Contact	Telecommunications (TCOM) Office Volgenau School of Engineering (VSE) Phone: (703) 993-3810 Fax: (703) 993-6137 Email: tcom@gmu.edu
Program Website	http://telecom.gmu.edu
"Like" TCOM on Facebook	http://www.facebook.com/MS-in-Telecommunications-at-George-Mason-University-159529465046/
Follow VSE on Twitter	@VolgenauSchool

All applicants should review Office of Graduate Admissions steps for How to Apply. For international applicants, see guidelines for International Graduate Requirements.

Prerequisites

Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field of study from a US institution that is accredited by one of the organizations found here or the equivalent from an international university
Maintain an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better (a lower GPA may be accepted if work experience in the field indicates ability to succeed in the program)

Application Materials

Graduate application
Application fee
Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Goals statement describing your motivation for pursing this certificate and why you feel you are qualified for it
Two letters of recommendation
Current resume

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the TCOM Office tcom@gmu.edu or 703-993-3810.

Telecommunications (MS)