Academic Requirements
Students in the 1+2+1 program at George Mason University must meet Mason's academic standards to be admitted and must come from one of George Mason's partner universities in China.
It is recommended that all 1+2+1 students take the TOEFL test or IELTS Academic test before leaving China. Students who receive a score of 570 or above on TOEFL (or 6.5 on IELTS) may begin full-time academic study when they arrive at Mason. If admitted students have not taken the TOEFL test or received a score below the minimum, they will be tested at Mason's English Language Institute during their first week at Mason. The test score will determine their first semester placement in either language classes at Mason's English Language Institute or in academic classes. Many 1+2+1 students begin their studies at Mason at the English Language Institute before beginning their regular academic classes.
Students will follow a rigorous course of study in this program to ensure that they will meet all academic requirements for graduation from both their Chinese university and from Mason. Each department at Mason that admits 1+2+1 students has prepared a suggested course plan for 1+2+1 students in collaboration with the student's university in China. Each 1+2+1 student receives individualized advice on course selection from Mason's 1+2+1 Coordinator and the Academic Advising Center.
All 1+2+1 students at Mason are required to do a senior thesis. Students will select a topic in their second year at Mason, in consultation with their Mason academic advisor and their university in China. The thesis will be written during their final year in the program, in both English and Chinese versions. The student must submit regular progress reports and the final report to advisors at both universities for their comments.