BS Health and Physical Education at GMU Virginia: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

George Mason University Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education is a four-year, full-time undergraduate programme in Fairfax, Virginia, USA. It leads to state licensure for teaching health and physical education in grades PK-12. International students must achieve TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5 and hold a high school diploma with 3.3+ GPA. Total four-year cost of attendance is US$ 241,832 (INR 23.05 Crore). Applications open for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 intakes. The programme uniquely integrates fitness, wellness, and public health curriculum with classroom teaching methodology.

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest Health and Physical Education provider, with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio and 95 bachelor’s degrees awarded annually. The programme trains educators who promote lifelong physical activity, health literacy, and wellbeing in schools. Graduates enter teaching at public or private K-12 schools, youth development organisations, or fitness coaching roles. The programme is ranked #88 nationally and #4 within Virginia for health and physical education disciplines. Ideal candidates are fitness-focused, patient mentors with strong communication skills, who want to shape young people’s health habits and teaching careers.

• Teacher licensure in Health and Physical Education (PK-12) in Virginia upon completion.
• Hybrid and fully online course options alongside in-person classroom instruction.
• Strong placement record: 92% employment within six months of graduation in field-aligned teaching roles.

Also Check: George Mason University Bachelor of Science Health and Physical Education Admission

George Mason University Health and Physical Education Fees and Living Costs 2027

International tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year is US$ 34,847 (INR 33.20 Lakhs). Four-year total tuition is US$ 137,948 (INR 1.31 Crore). Living costs on-campus range from US$ 20,976 to US$ 27,826 per year (INR 20.00 Lakhs to INR 26.53 Lakhs). Miscellaneous fees for health insurance, technology, and student services are embedded in the cost-of-attendance figure.

Tuition covers classroom instruction, lab facilities, gym access, and student wellness programmes. Course materials include anatomy textbooks and teaching resource subscriptions for physical education curriculum design. Personal expenses cover phone, clothing, and miscellaneous supplies in Fairfax.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of US$ 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

• International students pay tuition separately from domestic students; no in-state discounts apply.
• Fees for mandatory health insurance (US$ 3,000 to US$ 4,500 annually) vary if you hold external coverage.
• Praxis exam fees (US$ 190) and state licensure processing (US$ 150 to US$ 300) are paid separately.
• Off-campus housing (US$ 36,690 to US$ 43,930 per year) averages 30 to 40% higher than on-campus residence halls.

Cost of Living in Fairfax, Virginia for Health and Physical Education Students

Cost Reality: On-campus housing is your best value. Off-campus apartments near GMU’s Fairfax campus run US$ 900 to US$ 1,200 monthly, making total annual living costs climb to US$ 31,800 to US$ 44,400 (INR 30.32 to 42.31 Lakhs). Budget accordingly if you plan to live independently.

George Mason University Health and Physical Education Admission 2027

George Mason University admits students for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 intakes. Undergraduate admission is rolling until capacity is reached. International students with a high school diploma or equivalent (3.3+ GPA, approximately 75%+ in Class 12) are eligible. You must provide evidence of English proficiency and a completed Common Application or GMU application form.

George Mason University holds an 86.5% acceptance rate, making it moderately accessible for international applicants. The University ranks #117 nationally (US News) and #951 globally (QS). For health and physical education specifically, GMU is ranked #88 nationally and #4 within Virginia.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test are accepted by George Mason University. Minimum scores for undergraduate programmes are listed below.

• TOEFL 80 is achievable in 8 to 12 weeks with moderate study; focus on speaking and listening for teaching roles.
• IELTS 6.5 (band score, not 0 to 100) is roughly equivalent to TOEFL 80; valid for two years from test date.
• Duolingo 120 is self-administered online, results instant, cheaper than traditional tests (US$ 49 one-time fee).
• Waiver possible if you completed high school or a bachelor’s degree in an English-medium institution outside the United States; contact admissions@gmu.edu to request an exception.

Tip for Indian Students: IELTS is widely available across India via British Council and IDP; TOEFL is administered online globally. Book your test 4 to 6 weeks in advance. The speaking section carries extra weight in teaching programmes, so practise conversational fluency beyond exam templates.

George Mason University Health and Physical Education Application 2027

Undergraduate applications for Fall 2027 will open online in June 2026. Submit your application, transcripts, standardised test scores (optional for many US universities, but check GMU’s 2027 policy), and ELP test results through the Common Application (commonapp.org) or directly via GMU’s portal.

• Submit transcripts from all high schools or universities attended; GMU uses WES or NACES-certified evaluators.
• Application fee for international undergraduates is US$ 80 (INR 7,617); fees are non-refundable and waived for fee-waiver requests.
• I-20 form is issued 4 to 6 weeks after your acceptance and payment of tuition deposit (US$ 500 to US$ 1,000).
• US student visa (F-1) processing at the US Embassy in New Delhi typically takes 3 to 5 working days for approved cases.

Application Tip: Indian applicants should apply by the priority deadline to secure I-20 before July 2027, allowing sufficient time for visa appointment slots at US embassies. Regular decision applicants risk losing summer orientation and early course registration if their visa is delayed.

George Mason University Health and Physical Education Scholarships 2027

George Mason University offers merit-based scholarships to international undergraduates, though awards are limited and primarily awarded to high-achieving applicants (top 10% of the applicant pool). The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship covers 50% or more of tuition for qualifying students. Standard merit scholarships range from US$ 5,000 to US$ 15,000 per year.

• Merit scholarships cover tuition only; living costs, travel, and health insurance remain your responsibility.
• For a student with a US$ 15,000 annual award: net annual cost becomes US$ 19,847 (INR 18.91 Lakhs) in tuition, plus US$ 20,976 to US$ 27,826 (INR 20.00 to 26.53 Lakhs) in living costs = total approximately US$ 40,823 (INR 38.91 Lakhs) per year.
• International students do NOT qualify for federal student loans; scholarships are your primary aid option.
• Application deadline for merit scholarships is typically the same as the university priority deadline; apply early to be considered.

Scholarship Reality: Merit scholarships at US universities favour domestic students; as an international applicant, your odds of a full-tuition or near-full scholarship are under 5%. Plan to fund 70 to 90% of your education independently. GMU offers modest awards primarily to top-quartile applicants (GPA 3.7+, TOEFL 110+, strong extracurricular record in health or athletics).

George Mason University Health and Physical Education Salary and Placements 2027

Graduates of the BSEd in Health and Physical Education programme have a 92% employment rate within six months of graduation. Field-aligned placement is 74%, meaning most graduates enter teaching roles directly. Median starting salary is US$ 73,000 (INR 69.57 Lakhs) as a beginning high school physical education teacher in Virginia or neighboring states.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook (2026), school salary data from Virginia Department of Education, and GMU graduate employment survey.

• Take-home pay for US$ 73,000 gross is approximately US$ 52,000 to US$ 55,000 annually after federal, state, and local taxes (28 to 32% effective tax rate in Virginia).
• Public school teachers have pension plans (Virginia Retirement System) that replace salary at 1.7% per year of service, reducing private savings needs.
• Master’s degree (M.Ed in Physical Education Instruction) typically adds US$ 8,000 to US$ 12,000 (INR 7.63 to 11.45 Lakhs) to annual salary after 3 to 5 years of classroom experience.
• Physical education teachers report 10 to 15% above-average job satisfaction compared to other secondary subjects; burnout rates are lower due to physical activity engagement.

ROI Reality: Four-year total cost is US$ 241,832 (INR 23.05 Crore). Entry-level salary of US$ 73,000 (INR 69.57 Lakhs) breaks even in 3.5 to 4 years. If you pursue a Master’s degree and advance to Athletic Director (US$ 75,000 to US$ 95,000), your return improves. Career-switchers and corporate fitness roles see lower entry salaries but faster advancement to six-figure roles by year 8 to 10.

United States Visa and Post-Study Work for Health and Physical Education Graduates

All international students study in the United States on an F-1 Student Visa. You are authorized to live, study, and work on-campus (up to 20 hours per week during term, full-time during official breaks). After graduation, you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), allowing full-time work as a teaching assistant, curriculum designer, or fitness coordinator for 12 months. H-1B visa sponsorship for teaching roles is available but requires employer sponsorship.

• F-1 Validity: Valid for your entire programme duration plus 60-day grace period after degree completion (approximately 4 years 2 months total); no annual renewal required.
• OPT Work Permit (12 months): Allows full-time employment as a teaching practitioner, health educator, or curriculum specialist in a US school district or non-profit health organisation.
• H-1B Sponsor Availability: Teaching roles are sponsored by school districts; physical education teaching qualifies if your programme included pedagogical training (confirmed in BSEd format here).
• Spouse & Dependent Rules: F-2 visa is available for spouses and unmarried children under age 21; they cannot work but can study at US schools.

Visa Reality: The H-1B is challenging for teachers because public school budgets are tight and sponsorship is rare. Plan for OPT work in corporate wellness or non-profit health programmes (which sponsor more readily), then explore state-by-state teacher visa options. Some states offer targeted visa sponsorship for teachers in shortage areas (physical education is a shortage area in several states).

Read More: United States F-1 Student Visa and Requirements

George Mason University Health and Physical Education Ranking 2027

George Mason University’s Health and Physical Education programme holds specific subject-area recognition from national education bodies. The Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) in Physical Education is ranked #88 nationally among all US health and physical education programmes and #4 within Virginia, according to CollegeFact­ual’s 2026 analysis of programme size, degree production, and employer outcomes.

The programme awarded 95 bachelor’s degrees in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, representing a 16% increase over the prior year. This growth signals strong demand for physical education teachers in the region. Employer feedback from Virginia K-12 districts indicates that GMU graduates enter teaching positions immediately upon certification, with 87% of graduates employed in education roles within 12 months (internal survey, 2025).

Honest Take: Ranking #88 nationally is solid middle-tier performance. The programme’s strength lies in size, output volume, and regional reputation (Virginia-based school districts hire heavily from GMU). If you prioritise national prestige, top-tier programmes at University of Massachusetts Amherst (#15) or Ohio State University (#12) rank higher. However, GMU’s location near Washington DC and major Virginia metro areas makes it excellent for job placement in a high-need region.

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