Individualized Concentration

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.

An individualized concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. There is a proposal process required for approval to pursue an individualized concentration (title and course requirements, see advisor for details). 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.

Individualized proposals are due:

Spring: 1 week after spring break (calendar)

Summer: By June 15

Fall: By Oct 15

If your proposals need revision, revisions should be submitted within 2 weeks of feedback.

Mason offers many Accelerated Master's Programs that allow students to earn a bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as 5 years. Click here to learn more about the different degree programs.

Major Map

	First Year	Middle Years	Final Year
Academics	-Take required courses -Make a connection with a professor -Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester your first year -Small classroom learning in this major -Scholarships	-Meet with your advisor to choose courses and stay on track with meeting degree requirements -Declare/consider declaring your concentration -Consider a double major or a minor -Is a Bachelor to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program right for you? Apply as early as 60 credits! -Reach out to faculty for research mentorship.	-Work closely with your advisor to verify you are meeting your graduation requirements.  -Apply for graduation -Take INTS 491 Senior Capstone (Mason Core) -Consider submitting your research to CHSS Research Symposium
Career and Professional Prep	- See what students and alumni say about this major -Visit the Career Services Center to start research on the types of jobs or industries you may find interesting (ex. Nonprofit, Sustainability, Science, and more) - Build a resume and LinkedIn profile to continue career exploration and develop your professional persona.   -Activate your Handshake profile to explore and opt-in to industry email lists. -Start talking to professionals and faculty members via informational interviews to gain insight on their path through their career	-Enroll in INTS 420: College to Career Skills -Look for internship opportunities using University Career Services and Handshake -Have an internship? INTS 490: Internship to receive credit for internship. -Discuss with multiple faculty and current professionals in the work force whether graduate school might be the right path for you - Consider graduate or professional schools in the United States or abroad. -Prepare standardized admission tests for graduate or professional schools, if necessary. - Apply for scholarships and fellowships	-Specify prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 9 months before graduation -Finalize materials for post-graduation employment (such as your LinkedIn page, a portfolio, etc) -For graduate school applications, prepare statement of purpose/goals statement, resume and/or CV, and notify the writers of your letters of recommendation before application deadlines
Experiences	Attend a meeting of (department-sponsored student club) to meet fellow majors and get involved in LinkedIn and Mason360. -Consider joining at least one Mason student org. Check them all out on Mason 360 -Look ahead to planning a student abroad program through the Global Education Office	- Create your own Career Advisory Board (pdf) -Join student organizations related to your career field -Talk to your professors about your goals, and ask them about job or internship opportunities -Connect with Mason alums who share your career interests and have a career conversation (docx) with them -Use job search sites specific to your career field -Attend career fairs and employer events where you can meet multiple representatives -International Students: Be informed of the latest immigration compliance rules and regulations for on-campus and off-campus work authorization. Contact the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) for more information.	-Attend a regional or national research conference (Search for student discounts or complimentary for conference registration) -Join professional associations (student discount membership may be available)

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

Academics

-Take required courses

-Make a connection with a professor

-Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester your first year

-Small classroom learning in this major

-Scholarships

-Meet with your advisor to choose courses and stay on track with meeting degree requirements

-Declare/consider declaring your concentration

-Consider a double major or a minor

-Is a Bachelor to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program right for you? Apply as early as 60 credits!

-Reach out to faculty for research mentorship.

-Work closely with your advisor to verify you are meeting your graduation requirements. 

-Apply for graduation

-Take INTS 491 Senior Capstone (Mason Core)

-Consider submitting your research to CHSS Research Symposium

Career and Professional Prep

- See what students and alumni say about this major

-Visit the Career Services Center to start research on the types of jobs or industries you may find interesting (ex. Nonprofit, Sustainability, Science, and more)

- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile to continue career exploration and develop your professional persona.  

-Activate your Handshake profile to explore and opt-in to industry email lists.

-Start talking to professionals and faculty members via informational interviews to gain insight on their path through their career

-Enroll in INTS 420: College to Career Skills

-Look for internship opportunities using University Career Services and Handshake

-Have an internship? INTS 490: Internship to receive credit for internship.

-Discuss with multiple faculty and current professionals in the work force whether graduate school might be the right path for you

- Consider graduate or professional schools in the United States or abroad.

-Prepare standardized admission tests for graduate or professional schools, if necessary.

- Apply for scholarships and fellowships

-Specify prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 9 months before graduation

-Finalize materials for post-graduation employment (such as your LinkedIn page, a portfolio, etc)

-For graduate school applications, prepare statement of purpose/goals statement, resume and/or CV, and notify the writers of your letters of recommendation before application deadlines

Experiences

Attend a meeting of (department-sponsored student club) to meet fellow majors and get involved in LinkedIn and Mason360.

-Consider joining at least one Mason student org. Check them all out on Mason 360

-Look ahead to planning a student abroad program through the Global Education Office

- Create your own Career Advisory Board (pdf)

-Join student organizations related to your career field

-Talk to your professors about your goals, and ask them about job or internship opportunities

-Connect with Mason alums who share your career interests and have a career conversation (docx) with them

-Use job search sites specific to your career field

-Attend career fairs and employer events where you can meet multiple representatives

-International Students: Be informed of the latest immigration compliance rules and regulations for on-campus and off-campus work authorization. Contact the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) for more information.

-Attend a regional or national research conference (Search for student discounts or complimentary for conference registration)

-Join professional associations (student discount membership may be available)

Other Concentrations

Major Map