George Mason University

University Policy

All students should be familiar with the university’s policy on academic dismissal from a graduate program. Students meeting the criteria for appeal will be contacted via e-mail by the Registrar's Office. Students who are selected for dismissal and wish to submit an appeal should contact the CHSS Office of Graduate Academic Affairs immediately.

The CHSS Termination and Dismissal Appeal Committee meets once each semester (February, June, and September) to review appeals.  Students wishing to appeal should submit the following to the CHSS Office of Graduate Academic Affairs:

1. A written statement explaining the circumstances that led to the dismissal, along with supporting documentation from employers, physicians, or other sources as necessary.
2. Evidence that the circumstances precipitating the unsatisfactory academic performance have been remedied.
3. Statements from the advisor and graduate program director supporting the student’s continued enrollment at the university.

In cases where a deadline has been specified, the appeal and supporting documentation must be received by the deadline given the student by the CHSS Dean’s Office or Registrar. If the required materials are not received by the deadline, the dismissal will become effective immediately and the Registrar will be instructed to amend the student’s graduate record accordingly.

All materials should be directed to:

Jamie Cooper, Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

4400 University Drive, MS 3A3

Fairfax, VA 22030

Requests may also be submitted via e-mail to chssgradstudent@gmu.edu or faxed to 703.993.8714.