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Archives: Programs

Geoinformatics & Geospatial Intelligence (MS)

Program Description

The program addresses the emerging demand for scientists trained in the collection, organization, analysis, and dissemination of information about physical features, man-made structures, moving objects, people, and events that are geo-referenced or geo-located. This program focuses primarily on the computational approaches that support the synthesis and analysis of diverse types of data in order to identify and monitor complex events and phenomena that manifest over space and time.

Geography (BA/BS)

Program Description

The Geography BA and BS programs at Mason offer students the opportunity to study the integrated social and environmental processes that continuously shape and reshape the world we live in. Both degrees provide broad training across the core subdisciplines of geography—human, physical, and GIScience—preparing students to address complex local, regional, and global challenges. The BS program emphasizes application and technique-driven coursework, along with a strong foundation in science and mathematics, while the BA offers greater flexibility for students seeking a multidisciplinary educational experience. Graduates of either program will find a range of opportunities in the public and private sectors, as well as in academia, where geographers’ interdisciplinary approach and spatial perspective are in high demand.

The Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science fosters a supportive, active learning environment in which students are encouraged to work closely with both faculty and peers. The curriculum in this major provides students with the synthesis skills and broad base of knowledge that prepares them to be successful in an ever-evolving job market.

Advanced Biomedical Sciences (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Advanced Biomedical Sciences (ABS) graduate certificate is a program offered by GeorgeSquared, a partnership between George Mason University and the Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC). This program is designed for students who have all of their core coursework and extracurricular prerequisites for medical, dental, or other health-related fields, but otherwise have a comparatively limited science background (non-science majors with only the pre-health curricular core, for example), modest grades in the sciences as undergraduates, and/or need to improve their Medical College Admission Test, Dental Admission Test, or other pre-professional scores.

This is a 9-month full-time program that begins each fall semester. Most classes are held at George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia with cadaveric anatomy labs held at GUMC.

Actuarial Sciences (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Actuarial Sciences Graduate Certificate is designed to serve students and professionals who are interested in pursuing careers as actuaries. The course content provides students with specific training related to the following exams administered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA):

  • Financial Mathematics Exam
  • Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics Exam
  • Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics Exam
  • Statistics for Risk Modeling Exam
  • Investment and Financial Markets Exam

College Teaching (Graduate Certificate Offered by Higher Education Program)

Program Description

The certificate in College Teaching is designed for graduate students who are planning a career in undergraduate education. The program offers courses that enhance pedagogical skills and explore pedagogical assessment or scholarship with the use of technology in instruction.

Upon completion of the program, students will:

  • Understand and employ effective pedagogical approaches.
  • Become socialized members of a community of higher education professionals.
  • Examine current issues related to existing and emerging technologies for teaching and learning in theory and practice.

Higher Education Administration (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The certificate in higher education administration is designed for individuals who are planning or enhancing a career in a broad range of administrative positions in higher education institutions. The certificate will provide core knowledge for administrative processes in the context of higher education institutions.

The graduate certificate in higher education administration may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

Upon completion of the program, students will:

  • Understand and apply concepts of leadership, administration, and assessment through an interdisciplinary lens within the context of the complex higher education enterprise.
  • Become socialized members of a community of higher education professionals.
  • Understand and employ effective organizational and administrative approaches.
  • Examine current issues related to existing and emerging technologies in theory and practice.
  • Reflect on themselves as cultural beings and analyze how culture and history influence their work in higher education.
  • Value diversity, equity, and inclusion and meet multicultural competencies.
  • Use theory as a base from which to ground the practice of effective and ethical leadership, teaching, and administration.
  • Be prepared to implement programs and services that support institutional mission while adhering to oversight and accountability requirements.

Higher Education and Student Development (MA)

Program Description

The Higher Education Program at George Mason University prepares individuals for positions of leadership in teaching, research, and administration at community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities around the globe. The interdisciplinary, graduate-level curriculum focuses on leadership, the scholarship of teaching and learning, administration, and assessment. This 36 credit hour master’s degree prepares students for positions in academic and student affairs as well as in associations, government agencies, and industries whose activities relate to or impact higher education. Students in the Higher Education Program come from varied professional backgrounds in college teaching, university administration, business, the performing arts, and government, and bring a vast spectrum of experience to their studies.

The degree’s core coursework provides essential knowledge about the higher education enterprise. This includes the evolving nature of higher education and its foundational characteristics, students and their development, the management and administration of programs and services, and data driven practices; all in the context of the digital age. The current digital age provides extensive opportunities to communicate, teach, and learn through digital sources. Core courses provide a foundation in social sciences, quantitative reasoning, history, and digital media (e.g., pre and post refereed web writing, wikis, social media, open source learning, data visualization, digital textbooks, Google resources) with an emphasis on graduates’ capacity to apply course content and build skills to enhance educational opportunities in a budgetary constrained environment.

Women and Gender Studies (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

This program is available 100% online but also includes hybrid and on campus course offerings. This 15-credit graduate certificate in women and gender studies enables students interested in an academic career to enrich their research and analytical skills. Students interested in a professional career are prepared to address gender-related challenges in both domestic and global settings. The certificate adds an area of specialization to any graduate degree, giving students a competitive edge in the professional world. The core courses provide students a groundwork in transnational feminisms, feminist theory, critical race theory, and queer theory. Electives allow students to select from a range of interdisciplinary classes across the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Foreign Languages (MA)

Program Description

The MA in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish offers students an opportunity to study a wide variety of topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Coursework includes the academic study of the language, literature, and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world (including the US) as well as applied linguistics, cultural studies, critical pedagogy, film studies, and Latinx studies. Students can choose to simultaneously earn the graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education, which provides expertise on the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cultural characteristics of Spanish-speakers in the US; heritage language educational policy; and social justice-oriented, antiracist approaches to teaching Spanish. Coursework can count for BOTH the MA and the certificate.

Concentrations

  • Spanish

 

Economics (BS/BA)

Program Description

Having a degree in economics prepares students for a wide variety of exciting career options and choosing the program at George Mason University has a number of distinct advantages for our students. To begin to understand the full potential of our academic program, please explore the “Why Should I Study Economics?” page to understand all of the benefits of an economics major.

The BS in Economics provides a stronger emphasis on quantitative analysis. You will be well prepared for a career as an analyst in government, consulting, trade associations, or other private sector positions, and for graduate school in economics or more quantitative business administration programs.

The BA in Economics is designed for students with a strong interest in a broad education in the liberal arts tradition. The course work emphasizes a well-rounded undergraduate education with opportunities develop your critical thinking skills, language proficiency, and writing ability. These learning outcomes are particularly valuable for law school or graduate programs in business or public administration.