Mason Online

Topic: Engineering & Technology

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.

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

Systems Engineering (MS)

Program Description

The Master of Science in Systems Engineering (MS) prepares engineers to lead the design, analysis, and management of complex, large‑scale systems across industries.

Offered 100% online through the College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University, this graduate program develops expertise in systems architecture, quantitative modeling, engineering tools, and systems thinking.

Designed for professionals seeking technical leadership roles, the program equips graduates to address real‑world challenges in areas such as autonomous systems, aerospace, cybersecurity, healthcare, transportation, energy, and large information systems.

This masters degree program is ideal for engineers who strive to attain technical leadership positions in their organizations. Addressing a broad range of issues relevant to the design, implementation, analysis, and management of systems, this program prepares students for a professional career working with large complex systems of the future. Examples of systems include the national air transportation system, computer networks, autonomous vehicles, intelligent robots, the electric power grid, healthcare systems, and financial trading systems. The program balances an education in quantitative models and engineering tools with a proper understanding of the systems perspective.

Banner code: EC-MS-SYST

Systems Engineering, Architecture-Based Systems Integration (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Architecture‑Based Systems Integration Graduate Certificate prepares systems engineers to meet today’s evolving industry and defense acquisition requirements through an architecture‑based approach to systems integration.

Offered 100% online through the College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University, this graduate certificate develops expertise in systems architecture frameworks, modeling and simulation, structured and object‑oriented analysis, and integration strategies.

Designed for engineering professionals working with complex, multi‑system environments, the program equips graduates to effectively design, evaluate, and integrate large‑scale systems across defense, aerospace, technology, and industrial sectors.

This program prepares systems engineers for new industry regulations relating to the acquisition of systems, with a focus on an architecture-based approach for integrating proposed systems with other existing or planned systems. Students learn about formulation of the system integration problem, definition of architecture frameworks, use of structured analysis and object-oriented methodologies for the design of architectures, modeling and simulation for evaluation of architectures, and approaches to integration. Both defense and industrial applications are considered.

Banner code: EC-CERG-SYST

Applied Information Technology (MS)

Program Description

Prepare to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive IT strategic initiatives with a Master of Science in Applied Information Technology (AIT) from George Mason University.

You’ll learn how to justify, design, develop, manage, and sustain mega-systems as you gain extensive knowledge of the top IT fields including:

  • Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies
  • Cyber Security
  • Machine Learning Engineering
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Intelligence Methods
  • Natural Language Processing
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You’ll gain experience in practical, day-to-day IT challenges, learning from highly credentialed and experienced faculty.

The MS in Applied Information Technology offers four tracks, including concentrations in Applied Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Cyber Security, Data Analytics & Intelligence Methods, and Machine Learning Engineering.

With the Applied Artificial Intelligence Technologies concentration, you’ll explore the latest advancements in AI, including language models, multimodal learning, and more. You’ll graduate ready to develop, deploy, and manage AI systems that drive innovation and solve complex problems in your industry.

With the Cyber Security concentration, you’ll gain experience addressing the most complex security challenges facing society right now through a high-quality, 100% online curriculum that leverages scholarship, academic research, and industry best practices, processes, and methodologies in the field of cyber security.

The Data Analytics & Intelligence Methods concentration offers a wide variety of methods to convert data in decisions in various contexts; including scarce data to big data, from factual data to probabilistic data, from statistical methods to data mining, and intelligence techniques.

The Machine Learning Engineering concentration examines data science techniques to address real-world challenges. With this track, you’ll learn how to select, adapt, optimize, and design machine learning algorithms for various applications.

Click to learn more about the program from our award-winning faculty.

The Master’s in Applied Information Technology has now been officially designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the NSA and DHS. This is a significant recognition that highlights the program’s strength in cyber security education and its alignment with national standards.

Fast Track Option Available for George Mason Engineering Alumni

This option is available for George Mason Engineering alumni who graduated with a 3.0 or better overall GPA, or current George Mason Engineering undergraduates within one semester of graduation with a 3.0 or better GPA (and a final 3.0 or better GPA in the BS must be confirmed prior to first course registration.) Click here for more information or contact your admissions representative.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Graduate Certificate prepares students to address critical policy, planning, security, and organizational challenges related to emergency preparedness, disaster response, and homeland security.

Offered in a 100% online or hybrid format, this graduate certificate is ideal for professionals working in federal, state, and local government, the military, emergency services, public safety, and the private sector.

Through applied coursework, students gain practical knowledge and tools to mitigate natural disasters, manage crises, reduce vulnerabilities, and protect communities from external threats, while developing the interdisciplinary perspective needed to operate effectively across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Biodefense (MS)

Program Description

This master’s degree in biodefense prepares students to become the next generation of biodefense and biosecurity professionals and scholars. Coursework in this program provides students with a foundation in microbiology and biotechnology combined with a broader security and organizational context. Students who have a background in fields such as science, international affairs, political science, law, public policy, and conflict resolution are encouraged to apply to this program. Note that the online format of this program is only available on a part-time basis.