Why Study Here?

As global companies and government agencies create millions of digital jobs, the demand for workers with computing and data skills is skyrocketing. A degree or certificate in those fields from Mason will put you among the most sought-after candidates anywhere in the world. 

Proximity to D.C. Brings Training, Job Opportunities 

Mason is at the center of an enormous East Coast technology hub. These companies, agencies, and organizations create a rich pool of digital internship and career opportunities, and they look to Mason for highly trained candidates. 

  • The Washington technology sector is seeing massive corporate growth, as evidenced by Amazon’s selection of Arlington, Virginia as its East Coast headquarters.  

  • The Dulles Technology Corridor is home to companies, agencies, and associations seeking highly skilled digital and data specialists. CSC, Northrup-Grumman, Lockheed, Google, Amazon, Orbital, SAIC, CACI, and others have offices nearby. 

  • Washington's large federal client base includes such government agencies as the CIA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense. 

  • In nearby Maryland, the health /science cluster includes the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy.  

High-Tech Locations and Spaces 

Mason students learn in classrooms, offices, and labs that emphasize hands-on teaching, design project development, and cross-disciplinary initiatives.  

Our campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Manassas serve thousands of students, and that number will rise with the new completion of Mason Square. Mason has pledged to invest more than $250 million to grow programs, hire large numbers of new faculty and expand its campus in Arlington to 1.2 million square feet. 

Our existing labs include: 

Top Faculty with Connections throughout Industries 

Many Mason faculty members have come to the classroom after years of being leaders in their fields. Their connections and networks keep them abreast of the latest developments, and they share that knowledge with students, giving them the ability to build a career that takes the digital industry to the next level. 

They're also excited to share their knowledge with the next generation of digital leaders. Our professors do more than lecture; they provide hands-on training in a real-world environment. You’ll get experiential as well as theoretical knowledge and skills.  

Our faculty are also serious researchers. Their work in the lab enhances the quality of their instruction, and the discoveries they make are shared in the classroom. You’ll be there when discoveries are made, and might even be a part of the research team.  

That’s a lesson you won’t get anywhere else. 

Accreditation

ABET accreditation means our programs meet the quality standards of the profession for which that program prepares graduates. 

Maya Chatterjee standing behind big AWS letters, smiling at the camera

Accelerated applied information technology master's student Maya Chatterjee, BS '21,  held numerous internships in her time as an undergraduate student. She interned at Amazon Web Services, BAE Systems, and more to test her knowledge and prepare for her career.