Mason Core Submission Guidance
Tips for a Successful Mason Core Course Submission
The University's Mason Core Committee reviews all submissions of courses for approval to meet the Mason Core requirements.
'25-'26 Mason Core Committee Meeting Dates
Mason Core (beginning '24-'25)
The University has developed a new Enhanced Mason Core effective catalog year '24'-25.
Foundation Requirements - 12 credits
Written Communication (lower level) - 3 credits
Oral Communication - 3 credits
Quantitative Reasoning - 3 credits
Information Technology and Computing - 3 credits
Exploration Requirements - 22 credits
Arts - 3 credits
Global History - 3 credits
Global Contexts - 3 credits [See note below]
Literature - 3 credits
Natural Science - 7 credits (2 approved science courses; at least one with a lab)
Social & Behavioral Sciences - 3 credits
Integration Requirements - 9 credits
Written Communication (upper level) - 3 credits
Writing Intensive Course - usually 3 credits
Mason Apex - 3 credits - [See note below]
Mason Core (pre '24-'25)
Students in catalog years prior to '24-'25 complete the following Mason Core requirements.
Foundation Requirements - 12 credits
Written Communication (lower level) - 3 credits
Oral Communication - 3 credits
Quantitative Reasoning - 3 credits
Information Technology & Computing - 3 credits
Exploration Requirements - 22 credits
Arts - 3 credits
Global History - 3 credits
Global Understanding - 3 credits
Literature - 3 credits
Natural Science - 7 credits (2 approved science courses; at least one with a lab)
Social & Behavioral Sciences - 3 credits
Integration Requirements - 9 credits
Written Communication (upper level) - 3 credits
Writing Intensive Course - usually 3 credits
Synthesis or Capstone Experience - min. 3 credits
Notes on Recent Changes
The Global Understanding category will be gradually phased out and replaced by Global Contexts starting in academic year 2024-2025. All current Global Understanding courses will need to be resubmitted for Global Contexts approval, and not all current Global Understanding courses will meet the new Global Contexts outcomes without substantial revision.
Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2024 may take Global Contexts or Global Understanding courses to meet their Mason Core requirement.
Current Global Understanding Courses
Global Contexts Proposal Worksheet
Students entering Mason in Fall 2024 will have the option of taking courses with the just societies flag. Just Societies flags are added on to existing Mason Core Exploration courses in Arts, Global Contexts, Literature, Natural Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Courses submitted for one of the exploration categories can be reviewed for Just Societies at the same time.
Just Societies Proposal Worksheet
Beginning Fall 2024, Capstone and Synthesis courses are merged into a new category — Mason Apex. All students admitted Fall 2024 and beyond will be required to complete a Mason Apex course as part of the Integration tier of Mason Core.
Students admitted prior to Fall 2024 can use either a Capstone or a Synthesis course to satisfy this Integration requirement for Mason Core.
As the Mason Apex category is phased in for future students, the designation will be added to the existing Capstone/Synthesis courses. If the existing course does not meet the basic requirements, the Mason Core Committee will work with the department to adjust offerings.
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