Important Reminders:
- Always include your G# in all communications with university offices.
- Use your GMU email address for all university correspondence.
- Check your GMU email regularly for important updates.
- Review the academic calendar regularly for important deadlines.
- Meet with your academic advisor at least once per semester.
New First-Year and Transfer Students
“I was recently admitted to GMU. When and how do I register for classes?”
All new and transfer students must attend New Student Orientation, which includes both an on-campus session and a virtual advising & registration session. You will register for classes during the virtual session. Registration information will be sent to your GMU email address. Visit the orientation website to register for orientation. Some colleges offer pre-orientation advising; contact your college’s advising office to inquire.
“How do I find my academic advisor?”
You can either log into Patriot Web and check your Student Dashboard to find your assigned advisor’s name and contact information or log into Patriot Connect to see a list of your assigned Success Team members, which includes academic advisors. You can also use the Advisor Locator to find advisors by college/major.
Always include your G# when contacting advisors.
“I applied to GMU but haven’t heard back about my admission status. Who do I contact?”
Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or (703) 993-2000. You can also check your application status on the Online Application Portal.
“I’m a transfer student from NOVA. How do I know which of my credits will transfer?”
Use the Transfer Credit Matrix to see course equivalencies. For questions about how credits apply to your specific degree, contact your assigned academic advisor after you’re admitted. Official transcripts must be sent to GMU for final credit evaluation.
Course Registration and Scheduling
“What is a time ticket, and how do I know when I can register?”
A time ticket is the specific date and time when you are allowed to begin registering for classes. You can find your time ticket in Patriot Web under Student Services → Registration → Registration Status.
You can also review the Academic Calendar for the overall registration schedule and timeline.
“I can’t register for a class because it says I don’t meet the prerequisites, but I took an equivalent course at another school. What do I do?”
If you have transfer credit that substitutes for a GMU prerequisite, you’ll need to request a Registration Override from the department offering the course. See Registration Requests for more information.
“Can I register for a third or fourth attempt of a course at George Mason University? What steps do I need to take?”
At George Mason University, students are generally allowed up to three attempts per course, as outlined in the GMU University Catalog (AP.1.4.4 Repeating a Course). Some courses may be limited to less than three. If you have already exceeded the allowable repeat attempts, you may submit a Course Repeat Policy Exception.
“I’m trying to schedule an appointment with my advisor but there are no available times for the next 30 days. What should I do?”
Patriot Connect defaults to the current day; click the calendar icon to select the date you want or scroll down and click “Check Next Available Dates.” Some departments offer drop-in advising hours, so check your college’s advising website. You can also email your advisor directly with specific questions.
“Can I take classes at NOVA (or another school) while enrolled at GMU?”
Yes, but you must get approval from your academic advisor and the department teaching the equivalent GMU course BEFORE enrolling elsewhere. See the Permission to Study Elsewhere page for more details. Find the Permission to Study Elsewhere form at Undergraduate Student Forms. Note: Some majors have strict limitations on which courses can be taken elsewhere.
Major Declaration & Changes
“How do I change my major?”
To change or declare a new academic program, first complete the top portion of the Undergraduate Change/Declaration of Academic Program form, which can be found at Undergraduate Student Forms. Next, schedule an appointment with an advisor from your new major to discuss your decision. The advisor will then complete the form and submit it for processing. You can find your new major’s advisor using the Advisor Locator.
“I want to declare a major in the College of Engineering & Computing (Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, etc.). What are the requirements?”
CEC majors have specific criteria you must meet before declaring. Visit this CEC website for detailed requirements by major. Contact CEC Undeclared/Undecided advising at [email protected] for guidance. See the Selective Majors section on the Majors and Minors page for more information about all restricted majors.
“I’m an Exploratory (undecided) student. When do I need to declare a major?”
Students must declare a major before reaching 60 credits. Exploratory Academic Advisors will help you explore options and guide you through the declaration process. Contact [email protected] or schedule an appointment through Patriot Connect.
Non-Degree Students & Guest Matriculants
“I want to take a class at GMU, but I don’t want to enroll as a degree-seeking student. What do I do?”
Apply as a non-degree student. Application deadlines are listed on the website. Once accepted, you’ll receive a G# and can register for courses. Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or (703) 993-2000 with questions.
“I’m a non-degree student. When can I register for classes?”
Non-degree registration typically begins after degree-seeking students. Check the academic calendar for specific non-degree registration dates (usually late March for Summer, late July for Fall).
“I need to take prerequisite courses for graduate/professional school. Can I do this as a non-degree student at GMU?”
Yes! Apply as a non-degree student, and you can take undergraduate courses. Make sure to verify with your target graduate program that GMU courses will satisfy their prerequisites.
Hold, Withdrawals, and Academic Policies
“What is a ‘hold’ on my account, and how do I resolve it?”
A hold is a restriction on your account that may prevent you from registering, adding/dropping classes, or accessing certain university services. You can view your specific hold(s) and details in Patriot Web under Student Services → Student Records → View Holds.
Below are common GMU holds, how they may appear in Patriot Web, and whom to contact:
| Hold Name in Patriot Web | What It Means | Whom to Contact / Action to Take |
| Timely Major Declaration Hold | You must officially declare a major by the required credit threshold | Your new major advisor or if you do not have a new major yet, contact Exploratory Academic Advising |
| Advising Hold | You are required to meet with an advisor before registering | Your Academic Advisor |
| Student Account / Financial Hold | There is an unpaid balance or billing issue | Student Accounts Office |
| Immunization Hold | Required health records are missing | Student Health Services |
| Orientation Hold | New student orientation requirement not completed | New Student & Family Programs |
| Judicial / Conduct Hold | A conduct-related matter must be resolved | Office of Student Conduct |
| Transcript or Admissions Hold | Missing admissions documents | Office of Admissions |
| Financial Aid Hold | Issue with financial aid eligibility or documentation | Office of Financial Aid |
Tip: Each hold in Patriot Web includes a brief description and often identifies the responsible office. Resolving holds early is important so they don’t delay your registration.
“Where can I find policies related to holds or restrictions?”
Many holds are tied to university policies. You can review these in the University Catalog and related offices. When reviewing a hold, check for any referenced policy page or office link for full details.
“How do course withdrawals work, and when is the deadline?”
Students may withdraw from a course, resulting in a “W” grade, during the designated withdrawal period. You can find exact withdrawal deadlines in the Academic Calendar. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with an academic advisor before withdrawing and to review impacts on GPA, degree progress, and financial aid.
“How do I do a selective withdrawal from a class?”
Before the deadline, you can drop online through Patriot Web. For a Selective Withdrawal before the deadline listed on the academic calendar, complete the form at Undergraduate Student Forms. After the deadline, you may request a Dean’s Withdrawal for extenuating circumstances by contacting your college’s advising office. Note: Withdrawal after the deadline does not eliminate financial responsibility.
“What is a Non-Academic Withdrawal and when should I use it?”
A Non-Academic Withdrawal is for students facing significant extenuating circumstances (medical, housing crisis, family emergency) that prevent them from completing the semester. Contact your assigned academic advisor to discuss your situation and begin the process. Documentation is typically required.
Technical and System Issues
“I’m having technical issues with Patriot Connect. What should I do?”
If you encounter any issues logging in or need technical support, submit a case to Mason Student Services Center (MSSC). Select “Patriot Connect” for the question, “Which area of the university do you need assistance with?”
You can also contact MSSC at [email protected] or 703-993-2000.
“What should I do if I’m having technical issues with Patriot Web or registration?”
If you experience technical difficulties (such as login problems, pages not loading, or registration errors):
- Try basic troubleshooting:
- Clear your browser cache
- Use a different browser or device
- Disable pop-up blockers
- Confirm it’s not a timing issue:
- Make sure your time ticket is active
- Check that you don’t have any holds or eligibility restrictions
- Contact support if the issue persists:
- Reach out to ITS Support for technical issues
For registration-related errors, contact the Office of the University Registrar.
“I don’t see a registration time ticket. When can I register?”
New or transfer students register during orientation and do not need a time ticket until then. Continuing students receive time tickets based on credit hours, which can be checked on Patriot Web and the academic calendar. If your record indicates ineligibility, contact the Office of Admissions to verify your enrollment status.
“How do I get my Mason student ID card?”
Visit the Mason Card Office in Student Union 1, Room 1203. You can upload a photo online or have one taken in person. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. More info visit the Mason Card Office website.