Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN

Green Leaf

The MAIS in interdisciplinary studies is for students who seek a master's degree that integrates knowledge from several disciplines. It addresses the rapidly evolving demand for unique graduate study by promoting advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students can pursue one of the following structured interdisciplinary concentrations and also have the opportunity to design an individualized concentration to meet the special needs of their careers.

The MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Energy and Sustainability is a Green Leaf program

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 36

This is a Green Leaf program.

The Green Leaf status for this program applies only to the concentration in Energy and Sustainability.

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate coursework in one of the concentrations which follow. Students must submit a curriculum worksheet that has been approved by their concentration head and the director. Some concentrations require a project or thesis.

Concentration in Computational Social Science (CSS)

Computational social science (CSS) is a relatively new interdisciplinary science in which social science questions are investigated with modern computational tools. Computational social scientists investigate complex social phenomena such as economic markets, traffic control, and political systems by simulating the interactions of the many actors in such systems on computers. They hope to gain insights which will lead to better management of the behavior of the larger social systems, i.e., prevention of market crashes, smoothed traffic flow, or maintenance of political stability. The intractability of many social problems calls for the new approaches provided by computational social science.

CSS is a highly interdisciplinary field that requires teams to plan and complete projects, be they undertaken by government, industry, or non-profit entities. Project managers of such teams, overseeing all elements of project design and execution, tend to hold PhDs. The MAIS concentration will train students to be members of these project teams, able to meaningfully contribute to background research and to project design, execution, and communication.

Prior background should include a bachelor’s degree in one of the social sciences, in computer science, in engineering, or in a relevant discipline, as well as undergraduate courses in these and related areas. Bachelor’s degrees in other areas are also eligible, but the student may be required to take additional courses in social science, mathematics, or computer science as prerequisites to admission.

Core Courses

Required Courses 1  
CSS 600 Introduction to Computational Social Science 3
CSS 605 Object-Oriented Modeling in Social Science 3
CSS 610 Agent-based Modeling and Simulation 3
Electives 2  
Select three electives from the following: 9
Origins of Social Complexity  
Complexity Theory in the Social Sciences  
Spatial Agent-Based Models of Human-Environment Interactions  
Social Network Analysis  
Topics in Computational Social Science  
Total Credits 18

Research Course

The research course provides students with exposure to the most current ongoing research in the field and allows them to further develop their computational research expertise.

Select one from the following: 3
Directed Reading and Research  
Research Colloquium in Computational Social Science  
Colloquium in Computational Social Science  
Total Credits 3

Electives (9-12 credits)

The electives allow students to acquire a substantive specialization as well as additional training in social and computational science. Because of the broad spectrum of social science phenomena, methodologies, and student backgrounds, there is a large pool of potential courses. Electives may include any Mason master's-level course in computational social science, social science, computer science, computational science and informatics, statistics, or other quantitative methods such as data visualization, information technology, and geographic information science. Electives should be selected in conjunction with and approval of the student's advisor and the Director of CSS Graduate Studies. If the student does not have prior coursework in multivariate statistical analysis, the electives should include at least one such course relevant for the student's chosen specialization.

Students who elect to complete a thesis or project will take 9 elective credits. Students who do not complete a thesis or project take 12 elective credits.

Integrative Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Optional Project or Thesis

Students have the option to select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Concentration in Energy and Sustainability (EAS)

This concentration is designed for students interested in careers in energy and sustainability-related positions in the public, private, or non-profit sectors, including law, national and international policy, media, government, and business. As one of the University's Green Leaf academic programs, the concentration in energy and sustainability focuses on finding ways to meet present needs for energy and material goods without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. A sustainability education lies at the intersection of environmental science, engineering, economics, business, public policy, social justice, and many other areas. Energy required to fuel all of these endeavors is a crucial component of sustainability.

Core Courses in Energy and Sustainability

Required Courses  
EVPP 533 Energy Policy 3
GGS 507 Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development 3
Natural Science Course  
PHYS 581 Topics in Renewable Energy 3
or GEOL 521 Geology of Energy Resources
Total Credits 9

Energy, Sustainability or Environmental Policy

Students choose from the following courses or other relevant courses chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Select two courses from the following: 6
National Security Technology and Policy  
Special Topics in Economics 1  
Selected Topics in Environmental Science (take 3 credits) 2  
Corporate Environmental Management and Policy  
Environmental Policy  
Topics in Policy and Government (when topic involves environmental or sustainability policy)  
Topics in Public Policy 3  
Total Credits 6

Humanities or Social Science Approaches to Sustainability and Environmental Issues

Students choose from the following courses or other relevant courses chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Select two courses from the following: 6
Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns  
Special Topics in Economics 2  
International Environmental Politics  
Problems in American History 1  
Contemporary Issues in Social Justice Human Rights  
Environmental Ethics  
Religion and the Natural Environment  
Total Credits 6

Planning, Modeling, or Management

Students choose from the following courses or other relevant courses chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Select one from the following: 3-4
Infrastructure Modeling  
Corporate Environmental Management and Policy  
Ecosystem Analysis and Modeling  
Directed Studies in Environmental Science and Public Policy (take 3 credits)  
Total Credits 3-4

Natural Science

Students choose from the following courses or other relevant courses chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Select one from the following: 3
Scientific Basis of Climate Change  
Fundamentals of Ecology  
Applied Ecology and Ecosystem Management  
Total Credits 3

Electives

Students who elect to complete a project or thesis will not need any elective credits. Students who do not complete a project or thesis will take 3 elective credits.

Select 0-3 credits from the following: 0-3
National Security Technology and Policy  
Infrastructure Modeling  
Transportation Engineering and the Environment  
Scientific Basis of Climate Change  
Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns  
Special Topics in Economics 1  
Selected Topics in Environmental Science (take 3 credits) 1  
Fundamentals of Ecology  
Corporate Environmental Management and Policy  
Environmental Policy  
Ecosystem Analysis and Modeling  
Applied Ecology and Ecosystem Management  
Directed Studies in Environmental Science and Public Policy (take 3 credits)  
International Environmental Politics  
Geology of Energy Resources  
Problems in American History 2  
Contemporary Issues in Social Justice Human Rights  
Experiential Learning 3  
Environmental Ethics  
Topics in Renewable Energy  
Topics in Public Policy 2  
Transportation Economics  
Religion and the Natural Environment  
Total Credits 0-3

Research Methods Course

Students choose one of the following courses or other relevant courses in consultation with an advisor.

Select one course from the following: 3
Numerical Methods for Bioinformatics  
Qualitative Research Methods for Environmental Scientists  
Ecosystem Analysis and Modeling  
Multivariate Data Analysis for Ecology and Environmental Science  
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Computational Methods in Engineering and Statistics  
Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government  
Topics in Public Policy 1  
Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry  
Total Credits 3

Integrative Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3
Total Credits 3

Optional Project or Thesis

Students have the option to select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Concentration in Religious Studies (RELI)

The concentration in religious studies is particularly relevant for students who are interested in careers in law, national and international government, print and media journalism, library sciences, archives and museums, public and social service, teaching, advanced graduate studies, and religious communities and institutions. The Washington, DC metropolitan area is rich in the presence of many major religious traditions and their places of worship.

The core courses introduce students to the study of religion as a unique and rigorous intellectual discipline. Students learn to evaluate a variety of perspectives on religion and gain a clear understanding of the dimension of the sacred in all aspects of human life including those commonly designated "secular". Students discover how religious perceptions of the sacred respond to an evolving world and relate to and influence cultures, institutions, and values.

Students also examine the effects of historical crises and the forces of change on religions including contemporary religious pluralism and inter-religious dialogue. Students gain a deeper knowledge of specific traditions and a more profound understanding of values and worldviews from the viewpoint of cultural diversity and religious pluralism.

Core Courses

RELI 600 Interdisciplinary Pathways in the Study of Religion 3
RELI 630 Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion 3
Total Credits 6

Interdisciplinary Competencies in Religious Studies (9 credits)

Students take three courses from the list of competencies below to complement their interests and the skills they have already acquired through formal education and professional experience, or other courses that are chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics  
Aristotle: Selected Works  
Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit  
History of Ethical Theory  
Feminist Theory  
Issues in Religious Ethics  
Religion and the Natural Environment  
Religion and Secularity in State and Society  
Religion and Law  
Islam and Human Rights  
Islamic Biomedical Ethics (Religion in the Americas)  
Religion in the Americas  
Religion in North America to 1870  
U.S. Religion since 1870  
Topics in U.S. Religious History  
Topics in American Religion  
Religion and Law  
Religions in Confliclt, Conversation, and Transition  
World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution  
Conflict and Religion  
Interreligious Dialogue  
Religion and Secularity in State and Society  
Islamic Texts and Contexts  
Muslim Comparative Theologies: Sunni-Shi`i Religious Thought  

Electives

Elective courses should complement the student's competencies, and/or reflect the topic of their project or thesis. Students take 15 credits of electives chosen from the courses listed below, or other appropriate courses chosen in consultation with the concentration head.

Select 5-6 courses from the following:  
Anthropology and the Human Condition: Seminar I  
Anthropology and the Human Condition: Seminar II  
World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution  
Conflict and Religion  
Religion in North America to 1870  
U.S. Religion since 1870  
Topics in U.S. Religious History  
Aristotle: Selected Works  
Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit  
History of Ethical Theory  
Feminist Theory  
Interreligious Dialogue  
Issues in Religious Ethics  
Topics in American Religion  
Religion and the Natural Environment  
Religion and Secularity in State and Society  
Religion and Law  
Islamic Texts and Contexts  
Muslim Comparative Theologies: Sunni-Shi`i Religious Thought  
Islam and Human Rights  
Islamic Biomedical Ethics  
Ethnography  

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Project or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Concentration in Social Entrepreneurship (SOCE)

The concentration in social entrepreneurship will equip students with the subject matter expertise, strategic knowledge, technical support, and social networks needed to create, operate, develop, and accelerate startups; bring ideas to scale; and improve an existing program's effectiveness. These future leaders will learn about sustainability, ethical leadership, strategic management, and working effectively within complex networks made up of divergent groups of stakeholders. All students will complete a capstone research project and an experiential learning requirement that deliver practical knowledge and real-world experience. This degree is suitable for students seeking careers in government, business, or the non-profit sector.

Core Courses

Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership  
INTS 550 Social Innovation In Action 3
Select one of the following: 3
Leadership in a Changing Environment  
Special Topics (when topic is Leadership and Organizational Problem Solving)  
Business  
Select one course from the following: 3
Analysis of Financial Decisions  
Special Topics in Graduate School of Business 1  
Entrepreneurship  
Total Credits 9

Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Competencies in Social Entrepreneurship (9-12 credits)

Students take three or four courses from the list of competencies below to complement the skills they have already acquired through formal education and professional experience, or other courses to enhance their skills, including oral and written communication and research methods, that are chosen in consultation with an advisor. Students choosing to complete a project or thesis take 9 credits including a research methods course. Students choosing not to complete a project or thesis take 12 credits total, with a research methods course being optional.

Environmental and Public Policy
Corporate Environmental Management and Policy  
Public Policy Process  
Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy  
Entrepreneurship, Economics, and Public Policy  
Finance and Accounting
Analysis of Financial Decisions  
Nonprofit Fund Raising and Resource Development  
Nonprofit Financial Management  
Business and Project Management
Special Topics in Graduate School of Business 1  
Entrepreneurship
Project Management  
Turning Ideas into Successful Companies  
Introduction to Management of Nonprofits  
Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise  
Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics  
Leadership and Well-Being
Experiential Learning 1  
Experiential Learning 2  
Research Methods
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Research for Social Change  
Appropriate alternative chosen in consultation with the concentration head
 

Subject Matter Expertise (12 credits)

Students must develop expertise in the social problem they seek to address through entrepreneurship. Possible areas of focus include global and/or local poverty, homelessness, human trafficking, conflict resolution, women's rights, racial inequality, educational and health-care access, climate change, environmental sustainability, and human rights, among other possible topics. The experiential learning requirement should be met through an opportunity that advances the student's understanding of their subject matter expertise.

Students take:

INTS 540 Contemporary Issues in Social Justice Human Rights 1 3
6 credits of courses related to the student's chosen subject matter area of expertise, chosen in consultation with the concentration head. 6
Experiential learning 3
Experiential Learning 2  
or other relevant experiential learning course chosen in consultation with the concentration head.
 
Total Credits 12

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Optional Project or Thesis

Students have the option to select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights (SJHR)

The social justice and human rights concentration is designed to cultivate a deep theoretical understanding of the social, political, cultural, historical, and economic implications of a wide array of social injustices and human rights issues. Students are engaged in the applied process of imagining and actualizing holistic and complex strategies for creating and sustaining a more equitable, just, and humane world.

Core Courses

Foundational Course  
INTS 540 Contemporary Issues in Social Justice Human Rights 3
Social Justice and Human Rights Courses  
INTS 537 Critical Race Studies 3
Choose one of the following: 3
Queer Theory  
Feminist Theories  
Social Justice and Human Rights Issues and Movements  
Select one course from the following: 3
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Access and Social Justice  
Representations of Race  
Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives  
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
other relevant course chosen in consultation with the concentration head
 
Total Credits 12

Emphasis Courses

Select 6 credits of courses with an emphasis on a specific social justice or human rights issue or context or a specific region, chosen in consultation with the concentration head. The theme of the emphasis courses should be reflected in the student's experiential learning project. 1 6
Total Credits 6

Experiential Learning

Students will seek out and/or create an opportunity for experiential learning that deepens their understanding of social justice and/or human rights. Experiential learning opportunities can include internships, service-learning, consulting projects, and field studies or research (including overseas). The experiential learning requirement should be met through an opportunity that advances the student's understanding of their chosen emphasis. Because the intention is to develop and apply newly acquired skills, students may not use work done previously or their current employment to fulfill this requirement. All experiential learning projects must be approved by the social justice and human rights concentration head in the semester before registering for the course. Students may register for an individualized section of MAIS 695 Experiential Learning or another graduate-level internship or practicum course to fulfill this requirement.

MAIS 695 Experiential Learning 3
Total Credits 3

Electives

Students complete 6 elective credits from the following or other relevant courses chosen in consultation with the concentration head. 6
Culture, Power, and Conflict  
Intercultural Communication  
Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns  
Special Topics in Communication 1  
Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution  
Principles of Environmental Conflict Resolution  
Peace Studies  
Gender and Violence  
Identity and Conflict  
Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution  
Conflict and Race  
Conflict and Gender  
Human Rights Theory and Practice in Comparative Perspective  
Structural Sources of Conflict  
Introduction to Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners  
Education and Culture  
Advanced Topics in Education 2  
The Achievement Gap  
School Reform in the United States: Politics and Policies  
Neighborhood, Community, Education Policy  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Seminar in Multicultural Education  
Special Topics in the History and Criticism of Children's Literature 3  
Human Dimensions of Climate Change  
Cultural Pluralism in Higher Education  
Access and Social Justice  
Special Topics in Higher Education 4  
Problems in American History 5  
Representations of Race  
Experiential Learning 6  
Special Topics in Nutrition and Food Studies 7  
Environmental Ethics  
Environmental Policy  
Advocacy and Lobbying  
Social Institutions and Public Policy  
Human Smuggling and Trafficking  
Islam and Human Rights  
Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives  
International Migration in the Age of Globalization  
Special Topics in Sociology 8  
Social Networks, New Media, and Inequality  
Institutions and Inequalities  
Sociology of Human Rights  
Influencing Social Policy  
Social Policy for Children and Youth  
Global Human Rights Policy  
Empowering Communities for Change  
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Policing Black Bodies  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies 9  
Special Topics 10  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Feminist Theories  
Transnational Issues of Gender and Race  
Total Credits 6

Research Methods Course

Select one course from the following 3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Research Methods in Higher Education  
Research for Social Change  
Feminist Research Methods  
Other relevant course in consultation with an advisor
 

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Project or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Concentration in War and the Military in Society (WMS)

The concentration in war and the military in society equips students with skills and knowledge to evaluate, analyze, and solve problems related to the use of organized violence, including questions of national security and national strategy, international relations, defense policymaking, and domestic, fiscal, legal, and social policy surrounding the instruments of national defense. Students will engage in interdisciplinary coursework that provides a variety of methods and tools to frame and analyze these questions, using historical and contemporary case studies to better understand the dilemmas and opportunities facing policymakers and military professionals in their efforts to think strategically about a variety of challenges.

All students will complete a capstone research project that provides an opportunity to do deep research into an historic or contemporary case. In addition, students may also complete an experiential learning requirement that combines practical knowledge and real-world experience to engage in problems connected to war and society.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on War and the Military in Society  (27 Credits)

Students take 9 courses from 2 or more interdisciplinary perspectives below to complement the skills and subject matter expertise they have already acquired through formal education and professional experience, or other courses to enhance their portfolio that are chosen in consultation with the concentration head. 

Historical Perspectives

These courses draw upon conflicts from two thousand years of human experience, from ancient Rome to contemporary issues in civil-military relations. The historical perspective focuses upon the past and the way that problems related to war and society have changed over time.

Problems in American History (when topic is The Second World War or Civil Military Relations)  
Topics in the American Civil War Era (when the topic is The Civil War)  
Era of the American Revolution  
Problems in European History (when the topic is Fall of the Roman Empire, The First Global Wars, Revolutions in the Atlantic, The Second World War, or Technology and Power)  
The Vietnam War  
War and Remembrance  
Contemporary Policy Perspectives

These courses focus on the applied study of security and on concrete, modern-day issues related to the particular challenges of organized violence in the twenty-first century.

Biodefense Strategy  
Nonproliferation and Arms Control  
Examining Terrorist Groups  
Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction  
Selected Topics (when the topic is Urban Warfare)  
Islam and Politics  
Topics in Policy and Government (when the topic is Middle East Security, European Security, or International Money Laundering and Terror)  
Interagency Operations in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings  
Analysis for Peace Operations  
International Police Operations  
Theoretical Perspectives

These courses focus on theories of war, peace, and security across a broad range of contemporary and historic cases and through a variety of disciplinary lenses.

Advanced Topics in Global Health Security (when the topic is Cyber Warfare Strategy/Policy)  
Dynamics of Civil Wars  
Selected Topics in Geography (when the topic is Military Geography or Insurgency)  
International Relations  
International Security  
Topics in Policy and Government (when the topic is Intelligence and Public Policy, Disruptive Technology and National Security, or Information Intelligence and Smart Power)  
Grand Strategy  
Ethics and the Use of Force  
Practical or Applied Perspectives
Leadership  
Experiential Learning 1  

Research Methods

Students select one research methods course from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
The Study and Writing of History  
Military Operations Research I: Cost Analysis  
Military Operations Research Modeling II: Effectiveness Analysis  
Topics in Policy and Government (when topic is Qualitative Research Methods)  
Total Credits 3

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Project or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credit)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Concentration in Women and Gender Studies (WGST)

The concentration in women and gender studies promotes advanced scholarship that transcends traditional boundaries. Students combine required coursework in feminist theory, feminist research methods, critical race theory, queer and sexuality studies, and transnational feminisms with elective course offerings in disciplines such as history, literature, sociology, anthropology, health, education, philosophy, social work, conflict analysis and resolution, or the arts. The program accommodates both full-time and part-time students.

Of the coursework required for this concentration as described below, at least 21 credits must be in core courses related to the study of women and gender. Students must earn a grade of B- or higher in the core courses.

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking the MAIS degree and a master's degree in another discipline should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies regarding Individualized Dual Master's Degree Programs.

Core Courses

WMST 630 Feminist Theories 3
WMST 640 Transnational Issues of Gender and Race 3
WMST 610 Feminist Research Methods 3
Students take one course from each of the following areas. 1 9
Critical Race Studies (3 credits)
 
Critical Race Studies  
Representations of Race  
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought  
Policing Black Bodies  
Policing Black Bodies
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies (when topic is Black Psychology)  
Special Topics (when topic is Gender, Race, Reform 1800-1920, Gender, Race and Lynching or Gender and Racial Idealogy in Jim Crow)  
Bodies and Sexualities (3 credits)
 
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies (when topic is Feminist Ecopolitics or Gender, Race and Animal Rights)  
Queer Theory  
Transnational and Global Perspectives (3 credits)
 
Transnational Sexualities  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Sociology of Globalization  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Total Credits 18

Electives

Students take 12 credits in elective courses that address the study of women and gender and that are not taken as part of the core focus. 12
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies (can be repeated for credit)  
Special Topics (can be repeated for credit)  
Queer Theory  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Internship  
Other relevant courses from other disciplines chosen in consultation with concentration head
 
Total Credits 12

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Project or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Individualized Concentration (IND)

This concentration is for students who wish to design a graduate program to meet the special needs of their careers and life plans. Students usually choose this option because traditional graduate programs do not meet their specific goals. Students, with help from their faculty advisor, design a unique program of study that includes courses from several academic departments.

Students have access to most graduate courses offered by Mason but must meet all course prerequisites.  Each student must submit a curriculum worksheet approved by the student's advisor and director during the first semester enrolled. Any subsequent amendments must have the approval of the student's advisor and the director.

Disciplinary Focus

Select 15 credits in one discipline. These require the approval of faculty advisor and MAIS director. 15
Total Credits 15

Complementary Disciplines

Students choosing to complete a project or thesis take 12 credits in complementary disciplines. Students choosing not to complete a project or thesis take 15 credits total. These require the approval of faculty advisor and MAIS director. 12-15
Total Credits 12-15

Research Methods

Students take the following research methods course or other relevant courses in consultation with a faculty advisor and MAIS director. 3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Total Credits 3

Integrated Learning Experience Course

MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3

Optional Project or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking global affairs or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Global Affairs, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Global Affairs and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Global Affairs MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 54 credits rather than 66 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Total credits: 54

Required Global Affairs Courses

GLOA 600 Global Competencies 3
GLOA 610 Economic Globalization and Development 3
GLOA 615 Case Studies in Globalization 3
GLOA 710 Seminar Abroad 3
Select three courses from the chosen specialization for the global affairs MA 9
Total Credits 21

Required Women and Gender Studies Courses

WMST 630 Feminist Theories 3
WMST 640 Transnational Issues of Gender and Race 3
Select one course in critical race studies from the following: 3
Critical Race Studies  
Representations of Race  
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought  
Policing Black Bodies
Policing Black Bodies  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: 3
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Queer Theory  
Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: 3
Transnational Sexualities  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Sociology of Globalization  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Select 9 credits in elective courses chosen from the following and not used to fulfill another requirement: 9
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Queer Theory  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Internship  
Total Credits 24

Required Methods Course 

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Feminist Research Methods  
Total Credits 3

Capstone

Select one of the following: 3
Capstone Research Seminar  
Integrated Learning Experience  
Total Credits 3

Project or Thesis

Select one of the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  
Total Credits 3

Total Credits: 54

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking philosophy or interdisciplinary studies (women and gender studies concentration) and a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Philosophy, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (Concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Department of Philosophy and the Interdisciplinary Studies Program offer a dual master's degree program where students can earn both the MA and the MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 55 credits rather than 67 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's degree see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Students pursuing dual master's study linking the Philosophy MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS with a concentration in women and gender studies will complete WMST 630 Feminist Theories across the Disciplines/PHIL 658 Feminist Theory and 3 additional credits of WMST courses approved by the Department of Philosophy to apply to the philosophy degree as elective credit. Six credits of approved PHIL credits will apply to the MAIS degree as elective credit.

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking sociology or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Sociology, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Sociology MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 57 credits rather than 69 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's degree see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Total credits: 57

Required Sociology Courses

SOCI 601 Proseminar in Public and Applied Sociology 3
SOCI 620 Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry 3
SOCI 711 Classical Sociological Theory 3
SOCI 712 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3
Elective Methodology and Analysis Course 3
Survey Research  
Evaluation Research for Social Programs  
Special Topics in Sociology  
Qualitative Research Methods  
Statistical Reasoning  
Feminist Theory  
Ethnography  
Historical and Comparative Sociology  
Analytic Techniques of Social Research  
Methods in Anthropology  
Select three advanced courses (500-800 level) in sociology 9
Total Credits 24

Required Women and Gender Studies Courses

WMST 630 Feminist Theories 3
WMST 640 Transnational Issues of Gender and Race 3
MAIS 793 Integrated Learning Experience 3
Select one course in critical race studies form the following: 3
Critical Race Studies  
Representations of Race  
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought  
Policing Black Bodies  
Policing Black Bodies
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: 3
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Queer Theory  
Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: 3
Transnational Sexualities  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Sociology of Globalization  
Seminar for Supervision in Teacher Education  
Social Justice and Equity in International Education  
Select three courses from the following that address the study of women and gender and that are not taken as part of the core focus. 9
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability  
Transnational Sexualities  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies  
Special Topics  
Queer Theory  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Internship  
Other relevant courses from other disciplines chosen in consultation with concentration head
 
Total Credits 27

Required Methods Course

WMST 610 Feminist Research Methods 3

Capstone, Project, or Thesis

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis  
Thesis  
Master's Capstone Paper  
Total Credits 3