ADVANCE Tidewater|Mason is an exciting partnership between Tidewater Community College and George Mason University that gives Tidewater students targeted, personalized support to earn their bachelor's degrees at Mason in a timely, cost-effective manner. The partnership supports streamlined pathways for programs in business, cybersecurity, computational and data sciences, and other locally in-demand fields. Students receive significant cost savings and access to additional funding for college and are assigned a dedicated coach for guidance through every step of the process.
2024-25 Program Pathways
| George Mason Degree | Tidewater Degree | Program Description |
| Applied Science: Cyber Security, BAS | Cyber Security, AAS | Cybersecurity - Applied Science, BAS |
| Business, BS | Business Administration, AS | Business, BS |
| Computational and Data Sciences, BS | Science, AS | Computational and Data Sciences, BS |
| Criminology, Law and Society, BA | General Studies, AS | Criminology, Law and Society, BA |
| Health Administration, BS |
General Studies, AS |
Health Administration, BS |
| Psychology, BS | Social Sciences, AS | Psychology, BS |
2023-24 Program Pathways
In addition to coursework, students must satisfy the ADVANCE program requirements.
| George Mason Degree | Tidewater Degree | Program Description |
| Applied Science: Cyber Security, BAS | Cyber Security, AAS | Cybersecurity - Applied Science, BAS |
| Business, BS | Business Administration, AS | Business, BS |
| Computational and Data Sciences, BS | Science, AS | Computational and Data Sciences, BS |
| Health Administration, BS |
General Studies, AS |
Health Administration, BS |
| Psychology, BS | Social Sciences, AS | Psychology, BS |
Prospective ADVANCE Students
Meet Nick Mihaljevic, Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions
Favorite thing about Mason: The diverse student body and faculty who have access to cutting edge research and great career opportunities, all at in-state prices.
Advice for students getting ready to apply for college: Apply early, check your VCCS email for updates weekly, and reach out if you have any questions.
Favorite Washington, D.C., or Northern Virginia attraction: The museums and food in D.C. The parks, creeks, and waterfalls in VA.
Have some more questions? We can help. Contact us by email at advmvp@gmu.edu.
Current ADVANCE Students
Meet Dana Brantley, ADVANCE Academic Coach
Favorite thing about Mason: The Starship robots that deliver meals and snacks on campus.
Favorite thing about ADVANCE: How easy it is to understand exactly what classes you need take in order to make your transition to Mason seamless.
Advice for current ADVANCE students: Check in with your ADVANCE Academic Coach early and often! Once you get that acceptance email, make an appointment to make sure your classes are on track to transfer.