George Mason University, established as a branch of the University of Virginia in 1957, gained independent university status in 1972 by act of the Virginia General Assembly. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States.
The university is a living memorial to George Mason, the Virginia patriot and statesman who is best known for having drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights on which the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution is based.
In 1972, Dean John W. Brabner-Smith founded the International School of Law in Washington, D.C. The school later moved to Arlington, Virginia, where it became George Mason University School of Law in 1979 by act of the Virginia General Assembly. It is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).
During the past decade, the law school has been in the forefront of curricular innovation. Recognizing the rapid changes that are occurring in legal practice and the legal profession, George Mason has been a pioneer in providing its students with three core competencies that are often neglected at more traditional institutions: the legal application of economic tools and methods, intensive development of legal writing skills, and specialized substantive preparation for practice. Our intellectual property law curriculum has gained national recognition. Our unique curriculum gives our students correspondingly unique advantages in today's competitive employment market.
In January 1999, George Mason University School of Law moved to a new 150,000-square-foot educational facility. The building includes four floors of classroom, library, and administrative space, as well as two levels of interior parking.
George Mason University School of Law is located just a few miles from downtown Washington, D.C., the nexus for the creation of the world’s most important legislation and jurisprudence. Metropolitan Washington offers students access to hundreds of opportunities and legal resources of tremendous scope and depth:
Northern Virginia offers professional advantages and diverse social, cultural, and educational opportunities unequaled in any other metropolitan region.
George Mason is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution committed to the principle that access to study or employment opportunities afforded by the university, including all benefits and privileges, be accorded to each person-student, faculty, staff member, or applicant for employment or admission-on the basis of individual merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification). George Mason shall maintain a continuing affirmative action program to promote equal opportunity and to identify and eliminate discriminatory practices in every phase of university operations. Furthermore, affirmative action will be taken to ensure that opportunities afforded by the university are fully available to persons with disabilities, women, Vietnam veterans, and minorities. The university will make every reasonable accommodation to enable students or employees with disabilities to undertake work or study for which they qualify.
Inquiries regarding the university's equal opportunity and affirmative action programs may be made to the University Equity Office, Mason Hall, Room D105, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, telephone (703) 993-8730.
George Mason University maintains the confidentiality of student education records pursuant to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Once a student is enrolled, a student's name, address, telephone number, major, and e-mail address are subject to publication in the George Mason University Telephone Directory. Students who do not want to be listed in the campus telephone directory must submit a directory hold form to the registrar's office by 5 p.m. on the Friday of the first week of classes of the fall semester. George Mason University does not sell student contact information. However, because it is published in directory format, it is possible that unauthorized persons could access the information, thereby leading to unwanted solicitations.
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university and employer. Consistent with these principles and in compliance with the Student Right-to-Know Act, George Mason University publishes annual reports that disclose information about the athletic program and campus security. The campus security report includes campus crime statistics and is published annually by September 1. A copy may be obtained by calling (703) 993-2816. The athletic reports include athletic participation and graduation rates and are published annually by October 15. A copy of either of these athletic reports may be obtained by calling Intercollegiate Athletics at (703) 993-3204.
