1. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Transfer Orientation
Welcome!
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

2. Overview and Introductions
Advising
BS-INFT Orientation Advising Snapshot
IST Website
Manage Your Time
Location, Location, Location
Seeking Assistance
Transfer Credit/VCCS Guaranteed Admissions Agreement
What to Take: Program Overview
Concentrations
Important Policies
General Information
Stay Connected with IST
Briefly meet with an IST advisor TODAY!

3. Advising Meet with an advisor each semester
There are three full-time academic advisors:
Ms. Christy Genova
Fairfax Campus, Nguyen Engineering Bldg., Rm. 5340
Mrs. Cheryl Howe
Science & Technology Campus, Bull Run Hall, Ste. 102
Mrs. Lisa Sevilla
Fairfax Campus, Nguyen Engineering Bldg., Rm. 5337
We also have IST full-time faculty advisors!
Utilize these for career, content, and concentration advising

4. BS INFT Orientation Advising
Meet with an advisor one-on-one today for 5-10 minutes at the end of this presentation!
We have prepared individualized advising sheets for each registered student marked with your current eligibility and current transfer credits
Schedule an appointment if you need more time

5. A Typical Transfer Advising Sheet
An orange dot/line means you are currently eligible to register for this course
GAA: Yes= You were accepted to Mason under the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement
MCW= Mason Core Waiver. You will earn this if you meet the GAA requirements and when you send your final transcripts. It is up to YOU to make sure this is applied to your degree within one academic year of admission.
You must send your final transcripts prior to the last day of classes for the first semester of enrollment to remain eligible for the waiver
ENGH 302 will not be waived

6. IST Website http://ist.gmu.edu/
Most of what you need to know about the BS INFT is available on the IST Website:

7. Manage Your Time Full Time ≥12 credits
Financial Aid may require you to be registered for at least 12 credits
Students tend to take credits in spring/fall semesters (4 to 5 courses)
Transfer students often like to take 9 credits in their first semester or two to acclimate to the culture and rigor of Mason
Be realistic about how many courses you take, especially if you are working full-time or have other responsibilities.
Each course will require several hours of work per week - beyond time for lectures and labs.
Utilize Learning Services for help with test anxiety, time management, study skills, organization, etc.
SUB I Room 3129 or

8. Location, Location, Location
Mason courses are offered across all three campuses: Fairfax, Loudoun, and Manassas
Many non-IT courses & 100 – 200 level IT courses are offered at the Fairfax Campus or online
Most 300 – 400 level IT courses are only offered at the Science and Technology Campus or online
The Mason Shuttle is the quickest way to travel between Fairfax and Manassas campuses (the Shuttle does not go to Loudoun)

9. Seeking Assistance
Having trouble in a course? There are a number of resources that can help you succeed:
Stay in contact with the instructor of the course. They are there to help you.
If there is a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) assigned to the course, reach out to them.
Seek out a tutor from the VSE Peer Mentor Center, which offers tutoring in a number of IT courses in each fall/spring (not summers)
More info:

10. Seeking Assistance, part 2
Career Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Enrollment Central (SUB 1, first floor)
Office of Disability Services (ODS)
Office of International Programs & Services (OIPS)
Learning Services
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Resources
Math Tutoring Center
Office of Military Services
Office of Student Involvement
Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC, formerly WAVES)
Women and Gender Studies Center
Writing Center

11. Transfer Credits
You have ONE academic year before transfer credits are set in stone.
Take care of issues now. There is no grace period.
Review Transfer Evaluation apply/transfer/transfer-credit-policy
If you are missing courses: Transfer Credit Inquiry Form
If you want direct credit for a transfer elective: Transfer Credit Reevaluation Appeal

12. VCCS Guaranteed Admissions Agreement
Earned AA or AS from VCCS
GPA = 2.85 or better at application and graduation
If you meet all requirements, you will receive a waiver of lower-level Mason Core requirements
Important to make sure final transcript is recorded! No final transcript = no Mason Core waiver
The final transcript MUST be received by Transfer Admissions before the end of your first semester to remain eligible for the waiver

13. Bridge Courses
For students who have similar transfer coursework, you have the option to take a 1-credit bridge course for a grade.
NOTE: You may only attempt the bridge ONCE. If you do not pass the bridge course, you must take the full course at Mason.
Offered only during the summer session
The availability of bridge courses is subject to change
If passed, you receive credit for the GMU equivalent course. OR
Take IT 104*, 106, 213, 214
at Mason
* Students also have the option to take the Information Systems CLEP exam to receive credit for IT 104
Transfer Course +
Bridge Course =
GMU Course
ITE 115 or CSC 110
IT 191
IT 104
ITP 120
IT 196
IT 106
ITE 170
IT 193
IT 213
ITD 256
IT 194
IT 214

14. First Semester
Doing well in your first semester at Mason is extremely important. Many transfer students opt to pursue their first semester or two part-time to get used to Mason culture and the rigorous course loads.
Credit Level
Warning
Probation
Suspension
Attempted Credit Hours:
Cumulative GPA Range:
7-16
----
-----
17-29
30-59
60-89
90+
Transfer students in their first semester of study at Mason will receive probation as the strongest academic sanction. GPA retention levels, as stated above, will apply in all subsequent semesters.

15. What to Take: Program Overview
Our program is divided into 7 areas:
Mason Core Requirements (masoncore.gmu.edu)
IT Foundation
IT Core
Capstone Sequence
Concentration
Other Required Courses
General Electives
All students need a minimum of 120 credits to graduate, 45 credits of which need to be at the 300/400 level.
In general, take courses in order of level: 100, then 200, then 300, then 400.

16. What to Take: Program Overview
For IT courses, begin with Foundation and Core followed by Concentration and Capstone.
Always check pre- and co- requisite requirements.
These are tied to the academic year when the course is taught, not your catalog year!
Need more info about a course? View the syllabus on our website:

17. Concentrations
In order to declare a concentration, you must earn a B or better in the gateway class associated with that concentration.
IT majors must select at least one of six Concentrations:
DTP Database Technology & Programming (IT 206 or IT 214)
HIT Health IT (IT 214)
INFS Information Security (IT 223)
ITE Information Technology Entrepreneurship (IT 106 or 109)
NTEL Networking and Telecommunications (IT 341)
WDM Web Development and Multimedia (IT 213)
You will be given detailed information about concentrations during IT 293: Junior Transition

18. Important Policies, part 1
Grades
All students:
C or better in any course that is a prerequisite for another course
C or better in foundation, core, capstone, and concentration courses AND B or better in the gateway course for the respective desired concentration
Major GPA of 2.75 or higher in order to graduate
View catalog year requirements at catalog.gmu.edu
Repeating Courses:
If you are unsuccessful at a course twice, you need prior approval to make a third attempt.
If you are unsuccessful at the third attempt, you will be terminated from the major and the VSE.

19. Important Policies, part 2
Overrides
Sometimes, PatriotWeb will not recognize your transfer credits, substitutions, or waivers. Be sure you meet the prerequisites BEFORE submitting a request. These are reviewed manually and in the order in which they were received.
Submit requests for IT and SYST 469 courses only
Math overrides for MATH 108 and MATH 125:
We do not override classroom capacity for courses. If the course is full, you can add yourself to the waitlist or will need to take it in a different semester.

20. Important Policies, part 3
Registration Periods
Add/Drop: Students can add/drop courses with no tuition penalty. No grades will be recorded on their transcripts
Self-Withdrawal: Students can withdraw from a course with no tuition reimbursement. A W will be recorded on the transcript.
Selective Withdrawal: You can selectively withdraw from a max of 3 courses (with no tuition reimbursement) at Mason throughout your entire undergraduate career. A W will show on the transcript
Study Elsewhere Requests
Freshmen and transfer students in their first semester at Mason are not permitted to study elsewhere.
Courses previously attempted at Mason (including withdrawals) cannot be taken elsewhere.
Must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar prior to the taking of the course at another institution.
Communication
Use your Mason address. Federal law prohibits us from communicating with you via a personal address regarding your academic progress at Mason.

21. Is Cheating Worth the Cost?
Pros to Cheating
Cons to Cheating
Get past a tough assignment
Don't have to do the work
Not learning the material you paid to learn
Risk poor performance on exams
If you do not know the material, the exams will be tough
Risk an Honor Code violation
Violations appear on your record and are caught by background checks (e.g. security clearance)
Risk forced completion of an academic integrity seminar
Cost of ~$100 and your time
Risk an F in the course
Cost of full course tuition to retake the class, a delay in graduation, and a lowered GPA
Risk academic suspension
Delay in graduation and a notation on your transcript
Risk expulsion
All of your time and money to date would be for naught
Self-plagiarism can be considered an honor code violation. DO NOT reuse your own work from a previous class.
You will be caught… We are IT.

22. General Information This semester’s class schedule may be ugly!
Registration opens March for summer April for fall November for spring
Register at your first opportunity (TODAY!); classes fill quickly.
Plan for traffic and parking in the Fairfax area, and for travelling between campuses.

23. Stay Connected with IST!

24. BS INFT Orientation Advising
If you need more than 5-10 minutes with an advisor today:
Schedule an appointment!
After this presentation, you can go to the registration lab to pick your courses
The longer you stick around here, the more likely it is that classes are filling up!