Welcome to graduate school at George Mason University!
As a new graduate student at George Mason, you will have the opportunity to learn about your graduate academic program and the University through orientations.
You should begin with the Graduate Online Orientation for all Mason graduate students.
You should then plan to participate in any orientations offered by your graduate academic program and/or college/school. Additional orientations and trainings are offered for specific populations and interests, including international graduate students and graduate teaching assistants. Below is a list of orientation and welcome activities offered by academic units and university offices for new graduate students; contact your graduate program if it is not listed or if you have questions.
Graduate Online Orientation for All Graduate Students
All George Mason graduate students should begin with the Graduate Online Orientation. This interactive platform will provide an overview of how to succeed as a graduate student and acquaint you with all that George Mason has to offer to support you along the way.
Gradstravaganza: George Mason's Annual Graduate Student Welcome Event
Gradstravaganza, George Mason’s annual graduate student welcome event, is a multi-day event held at the beginning of the each academic year and includes a fully virtual line-up of orientation and educational sessions and an in-person picnic. Brought to you by Graduate Student Life, the Graduate Division, the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA), Office of International Programs and Services, University Life Mason Square, Mason Recreation, and University Life.
Gradstravaganza is held once year at the beginning of the fall semester. The 2026 Gradstravaganza Success Sessions and Picnic information and registration will be live July 16, 2026.
Graduate Orientations by College and School
Below you will find the Fall 2025 information for academic program, college and school level orientations and welcome events for graduate and professional students. Information for 2026 orientations and welcome events will be available soon.
Antonin Scalia Law School
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
Spring 2026 New Graduate Student Orientation
In-Person: January 14, 2026, 1:30-4:30pm
Location: Mason Square, 5th Floor, 3434 Washington, Blvd Arlington, VA.
Questions: Email tcsinfor@gmu.edu.
Virtual Spring 2026 New Graduate Student Orientation
Virtual: January 15, 2026, 2-6pm
Contact tcsinfor@gmu.edu for information and links.
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
College of Education and Human Development
EDLE Program Online Orientation Modules in Canvas
Virtual: For more information, newly admitted students should contact the EDLE Program.
ELED BAM/MEd Spring 2026 New Student Orientation
In-person: January 20, 2026, 7:20-8:50pm
Location: Thompson Hall, Room L028, Fairfax Campus
Questions: Email mspeier@gmu.edu
ESOL and World Language Education Programs Spring 2026 Orientation
Virtual: January 13, 2026, 5-6pm
Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/2578034906
Questions: Email Marie Champagne.
Higher Education Program Spring Orientation
Hybrid: January 12, 2026, 6:30-7pm
Location: Merten Hall, Room 1201, Fairfax Campus and Zoom
Contact: Higher Education Program for information and links.
Kinesiology Welcome Back Event
In-person: February 2, 2026, 10am-12pm
Location: Life Science and Engineering Building - 1st floor lobby Sci Tech
Literacy Program Spring Orientation
Virtual: January 8, 2026, 6:30-7:30pm
Information: This online event is open to any new graduate students in the Literacy Program. You'll receive an email with log in information in early January. If you are participating in a hybrid, division-sponsored cohort, there will be a specific in-person orientation held for your cohort. Please check your Welcome Letter from the program and email for details. For questions or additional information, please contact: jhathaw2@gmu.edu.
Mathematics Specialist Leadership Spring 2026 Orientation
Virtual: January 14, 2026, 5-6pm
Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/2578034906
Questions: Email Marie Champagne.
Secondary Education (SEED) New Student Planting Orientation
In-person: January 14, 2026, 5-7:30pm
Location: Horizon Hall, Room 2014, Fairfax Campus
For more information, check out event webpage and/or email the department.
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
College of Engineering and Computing
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Higher Education Program Fall Orientation
Hybrid: January 12, 2026, 6:30-7pm
Location: Merten Hall, Room 1201, Fairfax Campus and Zoom
Contact: Higher Education Program for information and links.
SIS Graduate Programs Spring KickOff for MAIS and Higher Education Students
In-person: January 12, 2026, 5:30-7pm
Location: Merten Hall, Room 1201, Fairfax Campus
Contact:SIS Graduate Programs for information. .
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
College of Public Health
Spring 2026 Graduate Student Orientation
In-person: January 15, 2026, 4:30-7pm
Location: Peterson Hall Lobby
For more information, check out event webpage and/or email the department.
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
College of Science
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
Costello College of Business
Graduate Certificate Orientation
Virtual: January 6, 2026, 6-7pm
Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/97600397842?pwd=kuMoeS93bYTHTHGMdjhClRD0VN3tmW.1m
For questions, email Saul Garcia.
MBA and MS in Management Program Immersion
In-person: January 10, 2026, 1-5pm
Location: Fuse 1327 and 1328, Mason Square campus
For questions, email: MBA Team: mba@gmu.edu or MS in Management Team: msmgt@gmu.edu .
MS in Real Estate Development Orientation
In-person: January 8, 2026, 4-7:30pm
Location: FUSE Conference Center 1311A, Mason Square campus
For questions, email May Abou Ghazaleh.
Online MBA Orientation
Virtual: January 8, 2026, 6-7pm
Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/91201074821?pwd=n6VUhRpTgdsqDMdEXR9PGKTiEp7aiH.1
For questions, email: MBA Team: mba@gmu.edu
Students who do not see their departments' orientation/welcome events are encouraged to contact their program/department for more information.
Schar School of Policy and Government
For all Schar School of Policy and Goverment Graduate Orientation Events, check out their orientation page.
Campus Wide Orientations and Welcome Events
Below you will find orientations and welcome events that are for new graduate and professional students.
LGBTQ+ Resources Center
Lavender Orientation, January 21, 2026, 5-6:30pm
In-person: Merten Hall, room 1201. For more information, click here. For questions, please contact: LGBTQ+ Resources Center, lgbtq@gmu.edu.
Office of International Programs and Services
International Graduate Student Orientation, January 15, 2026 9am-2pm
In-person, Johnson Center Bistro, Fairfax Campus. For more information, click here. Register here
Other events of OIPS:
F-1 Immigration and Compliance Presentations
-
F-1 Graduate Immigration and Compliance Webinar (Masters, Doctoral, INTO Mason GPW)
January 9, 2026, 9-10:30am. Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/98494492541.
Also don't forget to checkout the full list of events and activities for Welcome2Mason. Welcome2Mason events span the first few weeks of the fall semester and provide countless opportunities for students to get involved, meet new people, and learn more about our campus. For a complete list of scheduled events, visit welcome2mason.gmu.edu. Signature events include academic department receptions, Involvement Fair and on-campus job fairs, “Ask Me” tents across campus, and other welcome activities. These events are open to all Mason students: graduate, professional, and undergraduate.