Degrees and Certificates
Graduate
MA in Higher Education and Student Development (On-Campus option, Online option)
The interdisciplinary, graduate-level curriculum focuses on leadership, the scholarship of teaching and learning, administration, and assessment.
Computational Social Science concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
MERGING SOCIAL SCIENCE WITH COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND MODELING
Computational Social Science merges social science with computer programming and modeling to prepare students for jobs in government, the military and the private sector.
Energy and Sustainability concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
CREATING THE SUSTAINABILITY PROFESSIONALS OF THE FUTURE
Energy and Sustainability offers broad training in environmental science, engineering, economics and business, public policy, and the humanities to create the sustainability professionals of the future.
Individualized Studies concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
Designing your own Masters with a Mission
Individualized Studies invites applicants whose goals are not met by a traditional master's program to design their own path, with faculty assistance, prior to applying to the program.
MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
The Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) program in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences consists of multiple established degree paths that exist in partnership with academic units and faculty across the University. It offers a home for students with broad academic interests who seek a master's degree that will help them to create a better world. While their degree paths may vary dramatically, our students share a desire to address critical problems facing the world today. MAIS encourages students' freedom and creativity while recognizing the demand for high quality, non-traditional graduate programs that transcend disciplinary boundaries.
Religious Studies concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
INQUIRING INTO RELIGION AS AN ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE, AND FREQUENT SOURCE OF CONFLICT, IN SOCIETY
Religious Studies provides inquiry into religion as an organizing principle, and frequent source of conflict, with training suitable for careers in law, government, journalism, library sciences, teaching and work with non-profits.
Social Entrepreneurship concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
ENGAGING WITH REAL-WORLD ISSUES WHILE COMMITTING TO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND TO CARING FOR HUMAN DIGNITY
Social Entrepreneurship provides students with a theoretical and practical toolkit to engage with real-world issues in industry, nonprofits, government, public policy, and education while maintaining a commitment to social justice and caring for human dignity.
Social Justice and Human Rights concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
IMAGINING AND APPLYING STRATEGIES FOR CREATING AND SUSTAINING A MORE EQUITABLE, JUST, AND HUMANE WORLD
Social Justice and Human Rights focuses on racial injustice, educational rights, (dis)ability rights, indigenous rights, animal rights, and human trafficking in preparation for careers in education, public service, and community organizing.
War and the Military in Society concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
UNDERSTANDING THE WAYS NATIONS CONCEIVE OF MILITARY APPARATUS, AND ITS BEARING ON FUTURE POLICY DECISIONS
War and the Military in Society provides broad training in understanding the ways nations conceive of their military apparatus, and the bearing it has on future policy decisions, for careers in national defense, intelligence, and international security.
Women and Gender Studies concentration in the MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
FOCUSING ON THE INTERSECTIONS AMONG GENDER, SEXUALITY, RACE AND CLASS
Women and Gender Studies combines research, teaching, and activism, with a focus on the intersections of sex, gender, sexuality, and power in preparation for careers in education, public service and community organizing.
Accelerated MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies
Accelerated master’s degree programs (BAM) are designed for Mason’s highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduates. BAM provides a streamlined application process with no application fee. Students are allowed to apply six graduate credits to their undergraduate degrees and have the opportunity to take an additional six graduate credits to be held for reserve graduate credit (apply only to the graduate degree), thereby starting their graduate degrees with up to 12 credits earned while undergraduates. Students admitted to an accelerated master’s degree program have the opportunity to complete both degrees in a reduced amount of time, and at a reduced cost.
Dual Degree MA in Philosophy, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (Concentration in Women and Gender Studies)
Dual Degree MA in Sociology, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (Concentration in Women and Gender Studies)
Graduate Certificate in College Teaching (Offered by Higher Education Program) (On-Campus option, Online option)
This certificate is for graduate students planning a career in post-secondary education. It offers courses that develop pedagogical skills, explore pedagogical assessment or scholarship, and enhance the use of technology in instruction.
Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration (On-Campus option, Online option)
This certificate is for students who are planning or enhancing a career in administrative positions in higher education. The certificate provides core knowledge of administrative processes in the context of higher education institutions.
Higher Education Pedagogy concentration in the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching (Offered by Higher Education Program) (On-Campus option, Online option)
Undergraduate
Childhood Studies concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
The Childhood Studies concentration is designed to prepare students to understand childhood from an interdisciplinary perspective. The program provides students with an in-depth understanding of childhood in historical, contemporary, and global contexts and prepares them for careers in a wide variety of areas, including preschool teaching, child welfare and advocacy, child health and wellness, juvenile justice, youth programming, and other human services areas. In addition, the program emphasizes collaboration and community involvement and incorporates study in child policy, parenting, and family development.
Education Studies concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
This degree meets the Virginia Department of Education content-area course requirements and will prepare students for graduate licensure programs. Students should meet with Mason's Pre-Education Advising Coordinator throughout their undergraduate as well as integrative studies academic advisors.
For more information on content-areas: https://education.gmu.edu/teacher-track/content-area-review/
BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies (CHSS)
This degree provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge of three aspects of environmental and sustainability studies: people, prosperity, and planet.
BA in Human Development and Family Science
This degree prepares its graduates to use family-centered and strengths-based approaches to support the health and well-being of individuals and families in diverse communities.
Individualized concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
An individualized concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. There is an application process required for approval to pursue an individualized concentration (title and course requirements). The coursework for the individualized concentration consists of traditional courses from multiple disciplines, independent study, and experiential learning -- all chosen with guidance from an academic advisor. Individualized concentrations cannot duplicate any existing Mason degree programs. Students must present a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses applied to the concentration.
BA in Integrative Studies
The integrative studies degree at Mason allows you to gain in-depth knowledge in a wide range of subjects while gaining practical, career-motivated experience. Through the degree, offered by the School of Integrative Studies, you will work with our experienced, award-winning faculty in discussion-oriented courses and a variety of out-of-classrooom experiences.
Leadership and Organizational Development concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
This concentration combines a liberal arts curriculum and the practicality of business skills. Focuses around a central idea: knowing how people react to organizations and how organizations react to people.
Legal Studies concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
This concentration is an integrated degree which combines coursework in communication, political systems, criminology, ethics and philosophy, history, and economics to prepare students for the rigors of graduate work in the area of law or the field of alternative dispute resolution.
Social Justice and Human Rights concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
This concentration is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and competencies necessary for vocations or further study related to social, political, and economic equality; human rights education, advocacy, and law; and domestic and global justice. Students examine local, societal, and global issues through both a human rights lens, focusing on the fundamental rights of human beings and how they are secured or denied, and a social justice lens, focusing on societal inequalities and how they are sustained or alleviated.
Social Science for Education concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
This degree meets the Virginia Department of Education content-area requirements and will prepare students for graduate licensure programs in secondary education history and social science. Students should meet with Mason's @TeacherTrack specialist throughout their undergraduate degree as well as integrative studies academic advisors.
Women and Gender Studies concentration in the BA in Integrative Studies
By choosing to pursue work in women and gender studies, students at all levels engage in an interdisciplinary exploration of gender in social, political, cultural, and economic life; gender in history; women and the media; feminist theory; the relationship between sex and gender; the impact of sex, race, class, disability, and sexual orientation on people’s lives; and the ways in which gender stereotypes influence the self in relationship to others. Students in many courses have the opportunity to investigate these issues in a cross-cultural and global perspective.
BIS in Individualized Study (On-Campus option, Online option)
Mason's Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) program is a degree completion program for adult learners. BIS offers students generous transfer credit options and a distinctive educational opportunity to integrate other college-level learning, such as professional or military experience, into university coursework. Students create interdisciplinary concentrations to meet their own educational needs including to advance professionally, to prepare for graduate or professional programs, or to plan a path toward a career change.
Individualized concentration in the BS in Integrative Studies
An individualized concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. The coursework for the individualized concentration consists of traditional courses from multiple departments, learning communities, independent study, and experiential learning chosen with guidance from an academic advisor.
BS in Integrative Studies
The bachelor of science degree in integrative studies is based on intensive, interdisciplinary learning communities coordinated with traditional academic programs. The result is an integrated program of study that emphasizes collaboration, experiential learning, and self-reflection.
Life Sciences concentration in the BS in Integrative Studies
This concentration is geared towards students interested in working in medical and health promotion fields. Courses of study included under the life sciences concentration are: Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physician’s Assistant, Pre-Pharmacy, and Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Veterinary.
Minor in Childhood Studies
The interdisciplinary minor in childhood studies is designed for students who have a child-related focus in their major and for those who want to explore the topic of childhood. This minor focuses on the study of issues concerning children and their representations, including their experiences in society within historical and contemporary cultures and global contexts.
Minor in Conservation Studies (CHSS)
The Minor in Conservation Studies is designed for undergraduate students who wish to augment their main academic program with conservation studies taught in an experiential manner.
All requirements for this minor can be fulfilled by successful completion (C or higher in all courses) of any one of the three, semester-long residential programs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA. Students choose between:
- Conservation, Biodiversity and Society is offered both in the Spring and Fall and explores the ways that science, management and policy address current conservation issues in and out of the field.
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation is offered every Fall and helps students apply cutting-edge field techniques to survey species in the wild and investigate ecological patterns and processes from local to global scales.
- Endangered Species Conservation is offered every Spring and enables students to evaluate vulnerabilities of small populations and develop successful conservation actions to save them from extinction.
The semesters are offered jointly by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science under the auspices of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation and students are taught by GMU faculty, Smithsonian scientists and other practitioners.
Minor in Human Development and Family Science (CHSS)
This highly relevant and contemporary minor is a 15-credit interdisciplinary program designed especially for students who are interested in how individuals develop and how to improve the quality of life for families and communities. You’ll explore the psychological, social, cultural, and biological development of individuals from conception through adulthood and aging, within the contexts of their families, communities, and the broader society.
Minor in Leadership
The interdisciplinary minor in leadership prepares students for transformative leadership in campus, local, national, and global contexts. Interdisciplinary and integrative classes examine leadership from multiple perspectives and disciplines, offering an understanding of socially-responsible leadership with an emphasis on community action.
Minor in Nonprofit Studies
The interdisciplinary minor in nonprofit studies is designed to introduce students to the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed to be successful in this sector. Through heavy emphasis on experiential learning with the many excellent nonprofit organizations in our region, students learn to apply theory within the context of today's complex and rapidly changing environment.
Minor in Social Justice and Human Rights
The minor engages students in both a critical examination of various forms of injustice (such as poverty, racism, and speciesism, and environmental degradation) and an exploration of strategies for creating and sustaining an equitable and just world. This minor is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on disciplines as distinct as critical race studies, critical animal studies, and environmental science. It is designed particularly to help students consider the intersectional nature of all types of exploitation and their related movements for liberation.
Minor in Sustainability Studies
This interdisciplinary minor is housed jointly in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy (College of Science) and in the School of Integrative Studies (College of Humanities and Social Sciences).
Minor in Well-Being
The minor in well-being provides students with a well-grounded understanding of the nature of resilience, stress-management, mind-body wellness, and meaning -- including both the historical foundations and modern research findings.