George Mason partners with student leadership conferences to offer outstanding high school and university scholars the opportunity to participate in experiential learning for elective college credit.
Earn College Credit Through Conferences
These programs have been approved by our faculty, and students who qualify can receive college credit for "Special Topics in Leadership" in the following totals:
- Programs of five to seven (5-7) days will be granted one (1) credit.
- Programs of either to twelve (8-12) days will be granted two (2) credits.
- Programs of thirteen (13) days or more will be granted three (3) credits.
This is elective George Mason credit and generally transfers to other four-year colleges and universities, but we recommend that students and parents check with the college/university they are applying to or attending if they are interested in how the credit would apply.
Envision by Worldstrides Career & Leadership Programs
Envision by WorldStrides offers students immersive career exploration and leadership development opportunities through programs taught by subject-matter experts.
How are students selected for Envision programs?
- Students are selected to represent their school and state through our academic partnerships.
- Nominations may be made by high school educators. Educators are invited to fill out a nomination form for any of our student leadership opportunities and students will be contacted to confirm their nomination.
- Students are identified by George Mason through information we receive about students interests and/or academic ability through college entrance exams and completed student surveys from our partners, like College Board.
How are students evaluated?
- The course, Provost 110 or Provost 210, is a "Pass/Fail" course and students are evaluated based on their experiential learning opportunities throughout the week. If a passing grade is earned through completion of the program, it will show as a “S” on the transcript.
- Conference faculty will monitor their active participation in simulations, contributions to discussions and demonstration of leadership and critical thinking skills in group and individual settings. Students will receive feedback on their progress throughout the conference.
How do I enroll in George Mason college credit?
- Scholars must "opt in" for the credit by completing both the George Mason University College Credit Application and the Student Information Form, both found in the post-enrollment portal.
- This must be done no later than the end of the second day of the program session.
- Students enrolling for credit must be capable of doing college-level work and have completed the 9th grade at the time of the program.
Washington Scholars Programs
Washington Journalism and Media Conference
The Washington Journalism and Media Conference is an interactive program that provides a unique experience to high-achieving high school students with an interest in journalism, media, and related fields.
Washington Youth Summit on the Environment
High-achieving students with an interest in the environment, conservation, and sustainability get access to exclusive field visits and sessions with researchers, scientists, directors, and program staff during this yearly summit.
How are students selected?
- Students are selected to represent their school and state through our academic partnerships.
- Nominations may be made by high school educators. Educators are invited to fill out a nomination form for any of our student leadership opportunities and students will be contacted to confirm their nomination.
- Students are identified by George Mason University through information we receive about students interests and/or academic ability through college entrance exams and completed student surveys from our partners, like College Board.
How are students evaluated?
- The course, Environmental Science 115 or Provost 110, is a "Pass/Fail" course and students are evaluated based on their experiential learning opportunities throughout the week. If a passing grade is earned through completion of the program, it will show as a “S” on the transcript.
- Conference faculty will monitor their active participation in simulations, contributions to discussions and demonstration of leadership and critical thinking skills in group and individual settings. Students will receive feedback on their progress throughout the conference.
How do I enroll in George Mason college credit?
Scholars are automatically signed up for the college credit when registering for the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment or Washington Journalism and Media Conference.
General Information for All Youth Leadership Conferences
How do I get a transcript after the conference is over?
All scholars who successfully complete the conference and requirements for credit will be sent an email at the beginning of December (near the end of the academic term in which the conference falls) verifying their credit and giving instructions for requesting transcripts. Scholars can request an official George Mason transcript to be sent to their high school or colleges to which they are applying or attending.
You can obtain a student’s transcript with the online transcript request system. You will need the student’s George Mason ID number (G number) to complete the request. This G# will be sent in the credit verification email. There is a $10 fee per transcript ordered. This ID number has been sent to you in an email. If you are unable to retrieve your G number, please contact the Office of Admissions. To complete the online form, please follow the instructions found here.
The official name of the course will be listed on the transcript as either Provost 110 or 210 and the name of the program attended.
How does this affect my college applications?
We recognize that these student leadership conferences are an excellent opportunity for student growth and development and are outstanding experiences that enable emerging student leaders to network with peers from across the country and around the world.
While scholars must list on their college applications that they have previously enrolled in college credit and submit official transcripts from George Mason, it is unlikely that this type of credit will have a significant bearing on the college admissions process. When given the opportunity, we encourage students to think about how they can present these experiences in the application process as an example of their leadership potential.
Contact Us
Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have questions or need additional information at leaders@gmu.edu or 703-993-5010.