George Mason University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The George Mason University School of Nursing, part of the College of Public Health in Fairfax, offers pre-licensure BSN pathways, an online RN-to-BSN completion track, co-enrollment options with Virginia community colleges, and CCNE-accredited MSN, DNP, and PhD programs—plus graduate certificates—all set against the clinical density of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Mason anchors nursing education inside Virginia’s first College of Public Health and houses an interdisciplinary Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab—useful for students who want strong simulation infrastructure minutes from federal agencies, major health systems, and community clinics across Northern Virginia.
Overview & Why Students Choose George Mason University
Located in Fairfax with clinical opportunities throughout Northern Virginia and the D.C. region, George Mason’s School of Nursing emphasizes population health, interprofessional practice, and technology-enabled learning inside the College of Public Health. The school’s public materials highlight more than 50 years of nursing education, CCNE-accredited baccalaureate and graduate programs, and Virginia Board of Nursing–approved pre-licensure pathways designed for freshmen, transfer students, second-degree learners, working RNs, and veterans co-enrolled at partner community colleges.
Mason’s nursing mission focuses on preparing clinicians, educators, researchers, and administrators who can respond to rapidly evolving health systems—backed by graduate programs that U.S. News & World Report has frequently ranked among top public institutions (see Mason’s Facts and Rankings page for cited year and methodology links).
George Mason publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for its Traditional BSN and Accelerated Second Degree BSN programs. The Facts and Rankings page lists Traditional BSN at 83.65% and Accelerated BSN at 94.03% for 2023. Confirm the latest cohort outcomes on Mason’s site and cross-check program-level data through the Virginia Board of Nursing Testing Pass Rates resources.
Reasons students choose George Mason University
Capital-region clinical depth
Traditional BSN materials describe rotations across acute, ambulatory, community, and public health settings throughout the National Capital area, exposing students to diverse patient populations.
Multiple exit ramps to the BSN
Mason offers direct-entry and accelerated pre-licensure tracks, a fully online RN-to-BSN completion program, and co-enrollment partnerships with Virginia community colleges—allowing different entry points without inventing unofficial pathways.
Simulation & technology
BSN and DNP descriptions reference upgraded labs and Mason’s interdisciplinary Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab housed in the College of Public Health.
Graduate nursing scale
The MSN emphasizes Family Nurse Practitioner preparation (campus or online coursework), while the DNP advertises nurse practitioner and nursing administration concentrations plus extensive clinical hours.
Structured NCLEX preparation
Mason builds NCLEX-style practice, cumulative assessments, and senior-year test-taking coursework into pre-licensure BSN curricula (RN-to-BSN excludes NCLEX prep because students already hold RN licensure).
Nursing Programs Offered
Program offerings below reflect George Mason’s public nursing academics pages and university catalog listings as of this review. Use Mason’s site for pathway-specific prerequisites, sequencing, and delivery details.
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Traditional BSN
Four-year direct-entry program for students without a prior bachelor’s degree; nursing coursework begins in year one and clinical experiences span the National Capital region.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at George Mason the program is called Accelerated Second Degree BSN. It is a 12-month, full-time option for applicants who complete a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and prerequisite sciences before the Fall start.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN-to-BSN
Fully online BSN completion for RNs with a U.S. license; Mason notes many courses run in seven-week formats with flexible full- or part-time pacing.
Co-Enrollment BSN (Veteran & Non-Veteran)
Allows students to remain enrolled in a partner Virginia community college AAS Nursing program while concurrently completing Mason BSN courses online.
Graduate & doctoral
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
RN licensure required. Mason offers identical FNP learning outcomes in an on-campus format or a fully online coursework model with in-person practicum experiences; the online track uses compressed eight-week courses.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP pathways with hybrid or executive-style classes on the Fairfax campus; public descriptions highlight Family NP, Adult-Gerontology NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and Nursing Administration concentrations.
PhD in Nursing
Research-focused preparation; Mason’s graduate admissions materials outline master’s requirements, statistics preparation, interviews, and writing samples.
Graduate certificates
Nurse educator preparation and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduate certificates are catalog-listed options for nurses seeking stackable credentials.
Naming, prerequisites, and seat availability differ by pathway. Before applying, verify your intended track on the official Mason School of Nursing academics page and the current catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
George Mason University’s Facts and Rankings page reports first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of 83.65% for the Traditional BSN program and 94.03% for the Accelerated BSN program for the 2023 period shown on that page. Those disclosures align with Mason’s direction to prospective students to monitor Virginia Board of Nursing publications for multi-year context.
For board-published aggregates and downloadable RN spreadsheets (including five-year BSN history), use the Virginia Board of Nursing Testing Pass Rates hub, which lists current-year PDFs and Excel workbooks. A direct state-to-school percentage for a more recent single cohort was not substituted here because Mason’s site still foregrounds the 2023 program-level figures; always compare school pages with Board files for the newest release.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Traditional BSN – first-time NCLEX-RN (2023) | 83.65% (George Mason University School of Nursing, Facts and Rankings page) |
| Accelerated Second Degree BSN – first-time NCLEX-RN (2023) | 94.03% (same source) |
| Official pass-rate repository | Virginia DHP Board of Nursing – Testing Pass Rates |
| Source | Mason Facts & Rankings + Virginia Board publications. Confirm current cohort data with both sources. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Virginia Board of Nursing and the school before using a figure for high-stakes decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with George Mason University and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Virginia Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with George Mason University’s international office and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
George Mason treats nursing as a capacity-limited, two-step process: admission to the university (when applicable) and admission to the School of Nursing through the departmental application. Catalog language repeatedly notes that meeting minimums only makes you eligible to be reviewed—not guaranteed a seat—and encourages information sessions for up-to-date competitiveness details.
Accelerated Second Degree applicants need a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree (by spring before Fall entry), ≥2.85 cumulative GPA on that degree, ≥3.00 GPA on nursing prerequisites, and C or better in each listed science and statistics course. Change-of-major and transfer routes must finish prerequisite science and early nursing courses before upper-division clinicals. RN-to-BSN applicants submit proof of an active U.S. RN license.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN, Accelerated Second Degree BSN, RN-to-BSN, Co-Enrollment BSN | January 15 (Fall) | Dates published on Mason nursing admissions; RN-to-BSN/Co-Enrollment may also start Spring—verify cohort availability. |
| MSN (on-campus FNP) | February 1 (priority Fall) | Later applications reviewed space-available. |
| MSN-FNP (fully online coursework) | August 1 | Use Mason Online resources for process nuances. |
| DNP (BSN-to-DNP / MSN-to-DNP) | February 1 (priority) | Includes PMHNP concentration contacts listed on Mason DNP pages. |
| Graduate certificates (Nurse Education, PMHNP) | April 1 (Fall) | Confirm term options with the program. |
| PhD in Nursing | July 1 (Fall) | Expect writing samples, interview, statistics prep per graduate admissions. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; Mason states the process is competitive. |
| Undergraduate prerequisite GPA guideline | BSN FAQ references a 3.0 nursing prerequisite GPA guideline; Accelerated pathway also requires ≥2.85 on the first degree and ≥3.0 on prerequisites (catalog). |
| Graduate GPA baseline | University graduate standards cite ≥3.0 bachelor’s GPA; MSN-to-DNP expects ≥3.5 graduate GPA plus MSN coursework alignment. |
| RN experience (APRN pathways) | Graduate materials commonly require ≥1 year RN experience, active license, undergraduate statistics (C or better within five years for many tracks), health assessment coursework for FNP, and CPR certification before clinicals. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on Mason’s public BSN catalog excerpts or FAQ snapshots reviewed here; confirm each year’s departmental checklist. |
| GRE | MSN-FNP materials note the GRE “only upon request.” |
Applicant tips
Attend a Mason BSN information session (strongly recommended) and calculate your nursing prerequisite GPA early—Mason’s FAQ explains how repeats factor into the GPA calculation. For graduate applicants, line up statistics and health assessment coursework before the interview cycle and budget time for clinical clearance requirements.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Official tuition and fee rates for George Mason University are published by the Student Accounts Office. Nursing students should use the correct row for their program because Mason differentiates standard undergraduate rates, College of Public Health graduate rates, and specialized online MSN tuition.
| Category | AY 2025–26 published rates (USD) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing (Fairfax / default band) | $433 in-state / $1,474.50 out-of-state per credit under 12 credits; flat $5,196 / $17,694 for 12–15 credits; + mandatory student fee $163.50 per credit (per Student Accounts PDF). |
| College of Public Health graduate (default) | $645.75 in-state / $1,607 out-of-state per credit + $163.50 mandatory fee (same PDF). |
| MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (online) | $850 per credit (in-state/out-of-state listed identically) + $35 distance learning fee on the 2025–26 sheet. |
| Course & nursing fees | Mason warns that “nursing programs require additional fees”; consult the annual Course Fees PDF linked from Student Accounts. |
| Housing & meals | Not priced in the tuition PDFs; see Mason Housing and Mason Card meal-plan resources. |
| Source | Student Accounts – Tuition & Fees · AY 2025–26 per-credit PDF |
Review the College of Public Health scholarships page and Mason’s central financial aid office for federal, state, and institutional opportunities tied to nursing cohorts.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pre-licensure outcomes center on NCLEX-RN success (see the NCLEX section for Mason’s 2023 Traditional vs. Accelerated disclosures). For graduate pathways, Mason’s public DNP marketing copy cites survey-based employment figures—use them cautiously and confirm methodology on Mason’s site.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (Traditional BSN, 2023, school-reported) | 83.65% first-time pass (Facts & Rankings) |
| NCLEX-RN (Accelerated Second Degree BSN, 2023) | 94.03% first-time pass (same) |
| APRN certification snapshot | Mason lists “100% (average)” APRN certification language on Facts & Rankings without a separate cohort table on that page—confirm definitions with the school before relying on it. |
| DNP employment survey (Mason marketing) | Mason’s DNP page states 89% of surveyed graduates work full-time and 89% work in fields aligned with career goals—verify instrument and response years on Mason’s live page. |
| Job placement | Not separately quantified for BSN in the sources reviewed; leverage Mason career services and clinical employer networks in the Capital Region. |
Is George Mason University the Right Fit for You?
Mason fits learners who want a public university experience with strong ties to Northern Virginia healthcare employers and who are comfortable navigating competitive, multi-application processes for pre-licensure seats.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value Capital Region clinical variety (community health through quaternary care).
- Seek CCNE-accredited BSN/MSN/DNP ladders within one College of Public Health.
- Need flexible post-licensure options (online RN-to-BSN, online MSN-FNP).
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a single-application, open-enrollment nursing major without departmental review.
- Want the lowest-cost community college pathway exclusively—Mason is a four-year public with graduate-level tuition tiers.
- Cannot commute or relocate for frequent Fairfax-area labs and practicum check-ins on campus-based tracks.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Fairfax anchors the western arc of the D.C. metro area, placing Mason students near Inova Health System, HCA Virginia facilities, Kaiser Permanente midsized medical hubs, Veterans Health Administration sites, federally funded research hospitals inside the District, and a dense network of federally qualified health centers. Mason’s own copy emphasizes community, public health, and hospital-based rotations rather than guaranteeing placement at any one employer.
| Organization type | Why it matters to Mason students |
|---|---|
| Integrated health systems (e.g., Inova, Sentara-affiliated NOVA assets) | Large referral centers for med-surg, specialty, and perioperative experiences; competitive student placements. |
| Safety-net & FQHC | Supports Mason’s population health and community-oriented nursing competencies. |
| Federal & military medicine | Nearby military treatment facilities and the VA offer unique rotations for students who clear additional compliance screens. |
Exact affiliation agreements are managed internally; confirm current agency partners through the School of Nursing.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing instruction sits within the College of Public Health, including Peterson Family Health Sciences Hall resources and the interdisciplinary Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab promoted on Mason’s public sites. Student services run through the college’s Office of Student Affairs (advising, compliance, progression policies) with university-wide support from counseling, student health, and veterans services.
Student engagement options include Mason’s broader student organizations plus nursing-specific groups—explore Mason360 and School of Nursing news feeds for active clubs, service events, and graduate student organizations.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Fairfax, VA (Fairfax Campus)
- Address
- 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, US
- Telephone
- 703-993-1000 (university switchboard)
- BSN advising / applications
- bsnapps@gmu.edu
- School website
- nursing.gmu.edu
Official links
Seven-day action list
- Register for a BSN information session or graduate webinar and capture prerequisite checklists for your pathway.
- Open the BSN departmental application (if undergraduate) alongside the university application to understand essay and transcript rules.
- Download the official AY 2025–26 tuition PDF and map per-credit costs for your expected credits per term.
- Compare your sciences to Mason’s five-year freshness rule for Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology if you’re pre-licensure.
- Shadow or volunteer in a Capital Region hospital or clinic to inform your personal statement.
- Connect with Financial Aid and College of Public Health scholarships for stacking opportunities.
- Bookmark the Virginia Board NCLEX hub to monitor released cohort data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does George Mason University require a TEAS score for nursing?
Mason’s public BSN catalog excerpts and BSN FAQ content consulted for this guide do not list TEAS or HESI requirements, instead emphasizing GPAs, prerequisite completion, and the departmental application. Tests can appear in future admission cycles—confirm the current checklist via BSN admissions or bsnapps@gmu.edu.
How long is George Mason’s Accelerated Second Degree BSN?
Mason describes the Accelerated Second Degree BSN as a 12-month, full-time program beginning each Fall after prerequisites and the prior bachelor’s degree are complete. It is the Mason name for an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway.
Can working RNs finish a BSN online at George Mason?
Yes. The RN-to-BSN track is fully online for licensed U.S. RNs, with many courses offered in seven-week blocks and flexible pacing. Applicants still complete both the university and departmental applications unless Mason notes an enrolled-student exception.
What NCLEX-RN data does George Mason publish?
The Facts & Rankings page lists 83.65% first-time pass for Traditional BSN and 94.03% for Accelerated BSN in 2023. Cross-check newer cohorts with the Virginia Board of Nursing Testing Pass Rates page and Mason’s disclosures before citing a figure in applications or employers.
What is the January 15 deadline at George Mason nursing?
Mason’s admissions table sets January 15 for Fall BSN departmental applications across Traditional, Accelerated, RN-to-BSN, and Co-Enrollment tracks. Graduate deadlines differ (for example February 1 for many on-campus MSN/DNP priorities and August 1 for online MSN-FNP).
Does George Mason offer psychiatric mental health NP training?
Yes at the doctoral/certificate level: Mason advertises DNP concentrations and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate aligned with PMHNP certification preparation; confirm faculty contacts and practicum expectations on the DNP program page.
How much is tuition for online MSN-FNP at Mason?
Student Accounts lists the online MSN–Family Nurse Practitioner rate at $850 per credit plus a $35 distance learning fee for 2025–26, distinct from standard College of Public Health graduate tuition—download the official per-credit PDF each May when rates update.
Where is George Mason’s nursing school located?
Academic nursing operates within the College of Public Health on the Fairfax Campus (4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030). Clinical practicum sites extend throughout Northern Virginia and the wider Capital Region.
Is George Mason’s nursing program accredited?
Mason states that BSN, MSN, and DNP nursing programs are accredited by CCNE and that pre-licensure tracks hold Virginia Board of Nursing approval. Verify current CCNE letters and Board approval letters before matriculating, especially if you are transferring credits.
References
- George Mason University — School of Nursingnursing.gmu.edu
- George Mason — Facts and Rankings (NCLEX disclosures)nursing.gmu.edu/about-us/facts-and-rankings
- George Mason — Nursing admissionsnursing.gmu.edu/admissions
- George Mason — Tuition & feesstudentaccounts.gmu.edu/tuition-fees
- George Mason — AY 2025–26 per-credit rates PDFAY25-26 per-credit PDF
- George Mason University Catalog — School of Nursingcatalog.gmu.edu/…/nursing
- Virginia DHP — Board of Nursing testing pass ratesdhp.virginia.gov — Testing Pass Rates
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX sourcing, George Mason tuition PDF alignment, and program-list consistency with Mason’s nursing catalog and academics pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy