Graduate Certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education
An innovative online program emphasizing social justice and critical approaches to teaching Spanish
Become a Mason Graduate Student
All applicants for graduate study at George Mason University must meet the admission standards specified in the Admission chapter of the University Catalog.
You are responsible for submitting all required application materials by the posted deadline. Review your program's Admissions Requirements and Deadlines before you begin your application. You can also visit our Grad Admissions page for helpful hints on how best to prepare your transcripts and other Admissions materials.
Step 1: Complete and submit the online Graduate Admissions application. George Mason University requires all graduate applicants to upload all possible required supplementary materials, such as unofficial transcripts, goals statement and writing sample, at the same time you submit your application. Online applications require a non-refundable $75 application processing fee.
Step 2: Within a few days of submitting your online application, you will receive an email with your Mason G number (G#). This is a tracking number provided to all applicants that allows us to match your supporting documentation to your completed application.
Step 3: Check your application status and requirements checklist in your application portal. Initial processing takes 3 to 5 business days from the date of submission. You can use your application log-in and password to access your information throughout the application process. Graduate Admissions may send updates or notify you of issues with your application through your admissions portal, so it is best to log in periodically to monitor your application status.
Step 4: For newly admitted students, refer to the CHSS New Graduate Student webpage for tips on confirming enrollment, submitting official transcripts, registering for class and more.
The fall graduate degree seeking application opens September 15.
The spring graduate degree seeking application opens April 15.
The summer graduate degree seeking application opens September 15.
Program Specific Requirements
| College Transcripts | Goals Statement | GRE | Portfolio | Recommendation Letters | Resume | Writing Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |
The goals statement (250-350 words) should describe your academic and/or professional plans, as well as your preparation for graduate level coursework. It must be written in Spanish and uploaded via the online application.
With your online application you should also upload a language proficiency statement in which you provide evidence of sufficient Spanish proficiency to complete graduate level coursework in Spanish. Examples of evidence include having completed a baccalaureate degree in Spanish, having graduated from a high school or university in Latin America or Spain, having grown-up bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish, or having scored B2 or higher on the Diploma of Spanish (DELE) or the International Spanish Language Evaluation Service (SIELE), among other possibilities. Please list or describe the specific experiences and/or contexts in which you developed this proficiency, including dates. (The graduate faculty may contact you to discuss your linguistic qualifications).
The two letters of recommendation should come from faculty members or individuals with first-hand knowledge of your academic or professional capabilities.
Applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree or minor in Spanish, Education or a related area of study and have at least a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in the field. Those whose baccalaureate degrees were earned in other fields or who otherwise do not meet the above requirements but who provide evidence of a capacity to pursue graduate study are encouraged to apply. They may be asked to participate in an online interview and/or they may be admitted provisionally and be required to make up gaps in their undergraduate record before the provisional qualifier to their admission is removed.
NOTE: the SHLE certificate can be completed fully online but is listed under the “on-campus/hybrid” programs on the application because students have the option to take select courses on campus.
Additional Requirements for
English Proficiency Requirements
All Mason students must have a full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. Click here to view the requirements.
International Transcript Requirements
All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Mason Office of Admissions. Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts, however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Because of volume, more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation. You should submit your application 6 weeks prior to the deadline if you plan to utilize Mason’s free evaluation service. For expedited service, students may submit their documents to any NACES member organization at their own expense. If you decide to use an external evaluation service or if your program requires an outside evaluation, GPA and Degree equivalences must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. Mason evaluations are used for internal purposes and are not released to applicants. For information on international transcript requirements, go here.
International student visa questions should be directed to the Office of International Programs and Services.
You have the option to take graduate courses in non-degree status. To apply, you must complete an online application for your intended start term and include transcripts as well as a resume. You will also be required to indicate on the application which courses you plan to take for approval during the application review process. Credits earned in non-degree status may potentially transfer to a degree program at a later date so long as it meets the program requirements and the program director approves the transfer. For information on transfer credit policies, please refer to the University Catalog.
Non-Degree Requirements
| College Transcripts | Goals Statement | GRE | Portfolio | Recommendation Letters | Resume | Writing Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Required |
Application deadlines for graduate non-degree coursework differ from program deadlines. For additional information on the non-degree application process and deadlines please refer to Applying for Non-Degree Graduate Study.
Applicants to graduate certificate programs should refer to Applying to a Graduate Certificate.
