Applied Science, Health, Wellness, and Social Services Concentration (BAS)

Who should apply?

Adult learners who desire to understand the complex nature of managing health care and social service programs will benefit from this program. The program is designed specifically for those who have completed an AAS degree at a community college, have been out of high school for at least seven years, and are striving to progress in their career.

Why choose George Mason?

• The courses in this program will provide you with a foundation in serving vulnerable populations domestically and internationally.
• You have an option of two tracks – Physical and Mental Health Care Delivery or Health Care Administration.
• The rolling admissions policy allows you to submit your application anytime and start your courses during whatever term is most convenient for you.
• You can complete all of your courses online from wherever you need to be.

Program requirements may change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 120-126 credits total

• Transfer credits from AAS degree
• 18-19 credits core courses
• 9 credits concentration courses
• 40 credits Mason Core courses
• 45 credits upper-level courses

Some of the AAS transfer credits may count towards your Mason Core and upper-level course credits. Please contact Cathy Tompkins (ctompkin@gmu.edu) for more information.

Students can choose to take courses to complete either a track in Physical and Mental Health Care Delivery (Track 1) or in Health Care Administration (Track 2). Both tracks provide students with the foundation they need to be professionals in the health and social services fields.

All courses for Track 1 and most courses for Track 2 are available in an online format. Most courses are delivered asynchronously and offerings vary by semester.

Core Requirements (18-19 credits)

• BAS 300 Building Professional Competencies | 3 credits
• SOCW 200 Introduction to Social Work | 3 credits
• GCH 205 Global Health | 3 credits
• NURS 434 Vulnerable Populations | 3 credits
• BAS 490 Introduction to Research Methods | 3 credits
• BAS 491 Applied Sciences Capstone | 3 credits

Recommended: EDIT 201 Strategies for Online Success | 1 credit

Concentration Requirements (9 credits)

Students must complete one of two concentration tracks. Track 1 can be completed fully online and Track 2 requires one face-to-face course for completion.

Track 1: Physical and Mental Health Care Delivery (Fully Online)

• HAP 301 Health Care Delivery in the United States | 3 credits
• NUTR 295 Introduction to Nutrition | 3 credits

Choose one of the courses below to complete this track:

• GCH 360 Health and Environment | 3 credits
• HHS 432 Healthy Aging | 3 credits
• SOCW 375 Human Behavior and the Family Life Course | 3 credits
• SOCW 435 Introduction to Gerontology | 3 credits
• SOCW 483 Selected Approaches to Social Work Intervention | 3 credits

Track 2: Health Care Administration (Hybrid Online)

• HAP 301 Health Care Delivery in the United States | 3 credits
• HAP 360 Introduction to Health Information Systems | 3 credits
• HAP 442 Introduction to Health Care Politics and Policy | 3 credits (face-to-face)
• SOCW 380 Changing Social Policies and Systems | 3 credits

Electives (variable)

Electives may fulfill remaining credit requirements. All BAS students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of coursework, including 40 general education (Mason Core) credits and at least 45 credits of upper-level courses. The requirement to complete at least 63-66 credits at Mason may lead to more than 120 credit hours. Students will work with their advisors to determine how to fulfill their outstanding credit hours to ensure they have met all major and university requirements.

Tuition (2021-2022)

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

For information on loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Career Descriptions

The global workforce demands in health and human services are increasing. A BAS with a concentration in health, wellness, and social services will provide you with the foundation necessary to be a professional in the field.  Specific positions that graduates of this program may obtain include:

• Health Care Practitioner
• Case Manager
• Fitness Specialist

Key employers for graduates of related programs include:

• Hospitals
• Department of Family Services

All Mason students have access to career guidance and resources through University Career Services. Assistance is available in career research and decision-making, internships, Co-op, part-time employment, job search or graduate school preparation, and full-time employment of qualified candidates.