University Programs
George Mason University is a distributed university with three
campuses, each with a distinctive academic focus that plays a critical role in the
economy of its region. At each campus, students and faculty have full access to all
the university's resources, while duplication of programs and support services is
minimized through the use of technology. In addition to the main campus in Fairfax,
the university has campuses in Arlington and Prince William Counties.
Arlington Campus
Administration
Randall Edwards, Executive Vice President
The Arlington Campus's course offerings focus on law, economics, and public policy.
The following graduate programs are based at the Arlington Campus: J.D. in Law, M.A.
in New Professional Studies: Teaching, M.A. in International Transactions, M.P.A.
(public administration, nonprofit management and public policy concentrations), Fast
Track M.B.A., M.S. in Mathematics (actuarial concentration), and Fast Train program
(a teacher licensure program for those who want to teach abroad).
In 1996, ground was broken for construction of the first new building for the
Arlington Campus. Scheduled to be completed in fall 1998, it is the first of a three-phase
plan to develop the 5.2-acre site. During fall/winter 1998, the School of Law is
scheduled to move into the new Phase I building, and the Master of Arts in International
Transactions program is expected to move from its current off-site Arlington location
into the existing Arlington building. In addition, the James M. Buchanan Center for
Political Economy, comprising the Center for Market Processes, the Center for Study
of Public Choice, and the affiliated Institute for Humane Studies, is scheduled to
move into the fourth floor of the new Phase I building in 1999.
Prince William Campus
Administration
Randall Edwards, Executive Vice President
The Prince William Campus is an integral part of George Mason University's distributed
university. The campus serves all of Northern Virginia and provides quick access
to the university for citizens of Prince William, Fauquier, and western Fairfax Counties;
the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park; and adjoining areas to the west and south.
A new 124-acre campus is under construction adjacent to the Rt. 234 bypass. A primary
focus of the campus is bioinformatics and biotechnology in an innovative partnership
with the company American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). The new Institute for Biosciences,
Bioinformatics, and Biotechnology (IB3) is working with ATCC to develop master's
and doctoral degree programs in these areas. Other programs are under development
in information technology areas such as computer science, electrical engineering,
intelligent manufacturing, and civil, environmental, and infrastructure engineering.
The campus offers other creative programs of instruction, research, and public/private
partnership in a new higher education service district in the Prince William County
area. These programs include a site-based Master in New Professional Studies: Teaching,
Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice, and programs in Health, Fitness,
and Recreation Resources. The general phone number is (703) 993-8350.
University Scholars Program
Administration
Donna R. Bafundo, Director
Deborah J. Hobson, Assistant Director
Krug Hall, Room 213
University Scholars
Each year George Mason University awards four-year scholarships to top high school
graduates who have shown superior academic achievement, leadership ability, and an
exemplary record of school and community service. The University Scholars reside
in a common residence hall their first year and share the University Scholars Center.
Together the scholars form a dynamic learning community within the university known
as the University Scholars Program.
The program draws to George Mason a special caliber of student who is actively
involved in all facets of academic and student life. In addition to excelling in
their respective academic areas, the scholars have repeatedly emerged in a variety
of student leadership positions and service-related activities.
Intellectual dialogue is fostered between scholars, professors, and George Mason
administrators through stimulating seminars, discussion groups, cultural activities,
service projects, internships, campus events, and participation in organizations
that complement the scholars's academic experiences. The peer interaction, faculty
guidance, and academic focus of the University Scholars Program reflect George Mason's
commitment to providing a stimulating and supportive environment that encourages
academic excellence and personal growth.
University Courses
University Courses are special interdisciplinary academic offerings that encourage
undergraduates to interact with some of George Mason's most prominent faculty scholars.
Proposals for University Courses are developed by distinguished faculty members,
frequently by several acting together. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of
the courses, each one is carefully evaluated for the baccalaureate requirements they
fulfill; they often can be applied toward the satisfaction of general education requirements.
University Seminars
The University Seminars are offered exclusively to students who have demonstrated
strong academic performance. They are developed to give high-ability freshmen and
advanced-standing students the opportunity to study with a senior professor in a
small classroom setting. The Freshman Seminars (UNIV 190) are open to eligible first-year
students and are taught exclusively by the Robinson Professors. Qualified students
with 30 or more credits are invited to participate in the UNIV 390 seminars, which
are taught by Robinson Professors and other faculty with the rank of full professor.
Upper-Level University Courses
Upper-level University Courses are open to all students unless specific prerequisites
are indicated. They are usually offered only once. The two exceptions are UNIV 301
Great Ideas in Science and UNIV 441 AIDS: Its Impact in Our Society, which are offered
at least once a year.
The following are regularly offered University Courses:
- UNIV 132 Development of Scientific Thought (3)
- UNIV 190 Freshman Seminar (3)
- UNIV 301 Great Ideas in Science (3)
- UNIV 390 University Seminar (3)
- UNIV 441 AIDS: Its Impact in Our Society
For assistance or more information, please contact the center at (703) 993-2154,
or e-mail cge@gmu.edu.
Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE)
OCPE serves as George Mason University's initial point of contact and referral
for the business and professional community by responding to all professional development
and continuing education inquiries, requests and needs. Program activities include
the following:
- Nondegree contract credit programs
- Noncredit public programs and seminars
- Professional certificate programs
- Continuing education units (CEUs)
- On-site contract training programs
- Special professional development events and programs
- Training center
Courses are typically delivered through classroom settings, but increasingly through
electronic modes such as video conferencing and the Internet.
OCPE offices are strategically located on the Fairfax Campus in Krug Hall, as well
as at the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) in Herndon, and in the Prince William
Campus. The Krug Hall office facilitates, promotes, and administers the delivery
of contract credit courses and other specialized professional programs. The Krug
Hall office is also certified to award CEUs, which are nationally recognized standard
units of measurement earned for satisfactory completion of qualified programs of
continuing education. OCPE provides this service to all Mason academic groups that
deliver noncredit professional development programs. Call (703) 993-2109.
Professional Training and Development (PT&D) programs are facilitated by our
CIT office in Herndon's high-tech corridor. This office strategically reaches out
to the business community by marketing, designing, and delivering, short, noncredit
"just in time" training courses and certificate programs, often delivered
at the CIT facility. Both public seminars and customized contract training programs
are targeted to meet the needs of managerial, technical, and professional employees
in private, nonprofit, and public organizations located in Northern Virginia. Call
PT&D at (703) 733-2800.
OCPE also maintains a presence at the new Prince William Campus. The Professional
Development Office supports professional development courses and training programs.
Call (703) 993-8335.
New Professional Studies, M.A./M.S.
Administration
Tojo Thatchenkery, Director
Johnson Center, Room 311
The Master of New Professional Studies (MNPS) program was established in 1996 to
provide graduate education for working professionals. The highlights of this innovative
interdisciplinary degree are as follows:
Meeting the needs of the working professional. The course activities are designed
to adapt to the demands of working professionals with a variety of obligations. Through
innovative use of information technologies and flexible course scheduling, participants
are able to balance the demands of work with an intensive learning experience.
Linking theory and practice. The degree incorporates action-oriented group
learning as a way to integrate theory and practice. Grouped into teams, candidates
are immersed in the practical problems of organizations and at the same time engage
each other through collaborative technologies. By dealing with practical organizational
issues, participants gain deeper insight into how complex organizations work and
how to affect them.
Building a learning community. The program produces a tightly integrated learning
experience and focuses on building a learning community. Participants will work on
projects as teams and will gain an understanding of how to develop team-based organizations.
Integrating collaborative technologies. Collaborative technology skills developed
early on are used throughout the degree program. They enable a high degree of collaboration
and interaction between students.
MNPS is an umbrella degree program with four tracks:
- Health Systems Management
- Organizational Learning
- Teaching
- Technology Management
Four core courses (12 credits) are common to all tracks:
- MNPS 700 The New Professionalism: Theory and Practice
- MNPS 702 The New Professional as Reflective Practitioner
- MNPS 703 Technology and Learning in the New Professions
- MNPS 704 Research Methodologies in the New Professions
The remaining elective courses (21 credits) are selected from participating disciplines.
For information about the health systems management track, see the College of Nursing
and Health Science; for the organizational learning track, see the College of Arts
and Sciences; for the teaching track, see the Graduate School of Education; for the
technology management track, call the School of Management at (703) 993-1792.
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