Mason Online

Topic: Psychology & Social Sciences

Advanced Biomedical Sciences (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Advanced Biomedical Sciences (ABS) graduate certificate is a program offered jointly by George Mason University and 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 also 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.

Contemporary Dispute Resolution (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Dispute Resolution is to prepare individuals with the analytical and practical skills using process such as mediation, negotiation, coaching or facilitation to deal effectively with disputes in work settings including schools, businesses, and local and state government. Students will be prepared to analyze and understand disputes in the context of larger social, structures (for example: economic and racial inequality, unequal access to the justice and education systems). Students will be trained to identify and implement appropriate dispute resolution strategies. Students will learn to analyze the factors underlying disputes, recognize power differential among disputing parties, and choose appropriate strategies to address those factors. Graduates will be able to use dispute resolution methodologies including mediation, negotiation, coaching and facilitation to assist people to manage disputes.

Mass Atrocity and Genocide Prevention (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

Earn your Certificate in just 12 weeks during our Summer Term!

The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Mass Atrocity and Genocide Prevention is to provide students with practical knowledge of conflict analysis and resolution relevant to Mass Atrocity Prevention, including genocide and mass violence prevention. Designed for mid-career professionals studying in a cohort environment, or graduate students seeking specialized, practical knowledge, the certificate program integrates conflict analysis and resolution theory, research, and practical techniques of preventing mass atrocities. Certificate courses include intensive sessions, lectures, seminars, and applied-mentored learning in real and simulated situations. Students learn strategies to prevent mass atrocities through policy planning, diplomacy, civil society building, development, and education. Graduates are prepared to apply peacebuilding, dialogue, and conflict resolution approaches designed specifically for hot spots where mass atrocities seem likely to occur.

Human Development and Family Science (BA)

Program Description:

The Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) program focuses to educate students through quality instruction and experiential learning in lifespan human development and family science by fostering critical thinking and the research, communication, and career-ready skills that prepare them to become professionals in service to individuals and families.

Criminology, Law, and Society (BA)

Program Description

The BA in Criminology, Law and Society (CLS) offers a broad perspective and specialized knowledge on the justice system and social, human, and moral problems raised in the justice field. Core courses in the major provide the foundation for this understanding. Your choice of a concentration helps you tailor your degree to your particular interests and career goals.

International Security and Law (BA)

Program Description

The International Security and Law program prepares students to tackle security threats facing today’s world. The curriculum exposes students to the diversity of challenges to human security (economic, demographic, environmental, technological), and gives a broad overview of the legal frameworks governing international organizations and transactions. The program pairs this foundation in international security with rigorous methodological training, designed to give graduates the quantitative skills needed in the professional world. Graduates will be able to help organizations assess risk and propose policy solutions to international threats using foundational knowledge in law, quantitative analysis, and diplomacy.

Computational Social Science (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

This program is designed for students who seek training in computer simulation and related computational methods for analyzing social systems and processes. The program is open to all students with graduate standing at George Mason University and all students who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.

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.

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.

Economics (BA/BS)

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.