Graduate Program
Faculty
Executive Committee
Bergmann, Button, Muir, Vail, Zagarri (chair)
Course Work
This program offers courses designated MAIS in the
"Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.
Graduate Program
Interdisciplinary Studies, M.A.I.S.
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is for
students who seek master's degrees that integrate
knowledge from several disciplines. With the help of faculty
advisors, students design individualized programs of study that
include courses from several academic departments. The
program is divided into two tracks: individualized studies and
liberal studies.
Track in Individualized Studies
The individualized studies track differs from
traditional graduate programs in that it emphasizes the integration
of knowledge from various disciplines. The program is
intended to promote advanced scholarship that transcends
traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Within the program, several faculty-sponsored
concentrations provide structured, yet flexible, options for
prospective students. Concentrations are gerontology, video-based
production, regional economic development and
technology, communication, recreation resources management, and
peace operations.
In addition to faculty-sponsored concentrations,
students may, with the help of their faculty advisors, design
individualized programs of study that include courses from
several academic departments. Individualized programs
must involve a course of study that is not already offered
within any of the other graduate programs at George Mason
University and should consist of a coherent package of
interrelated courses.
Students in this track must complete a project or thesis
that represents the culmination of their program of study.
Work on the project or thesis is done under the direction of a
faculty committee headed by a faculty advisor. Project or
thesis proposals must be approved by the committee and
the M.A.I.S. Executive Committee before students can
register for project or thesis credits (MAIS 798, 799). All
university policies governing theses, including the requirement
for continuous registration, apply also to the project.
Admission Requirements
Students admitted to the M.A.I.S. program must show
a capacity for original thought in cross-disciplinary
research. In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for
graduate study, applicants must submit transcripts from all
colleges attended, three letters of reference, and scores
from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the
Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The Graduate Management
Admission Test (GMAT) or Law School Admission Test
(LSAT), if taken within the past five years, may be substituted.
Students admitted provisionally must achieve a 3.250
GPA in the first 12 credits of graduate course work to advance
to degree status. If they fail to do so, they will be terminated.
Degree Requirements
Candidates for the degree must successfully complete 36credits of graduate course work, including the following:
- Twelve to 18 credits in a single discipline
- At least three credits of research methodology
(approved by the student's faculty advisor)
- Three or six credits of MAIS 798 (project) or six
credits of MAIS 799 (thesis)
At least 18 credits of classroom course work must be
completed at George Mason University with a grade point
average of 3.000, not including credit awarded for
independent study, directed readings, practicum, project, or thesis.
With the approval of the faculty advisor and the chair of the
Executive Committee, the 36 credits may include up to six
credits taken through the Consortium of Universities of
the Washington Metropolitan Area, and up to six credits
taken at other accredited institutions.
Concentration in Gerontology
There is a growing need for professionals who plan and
provide services to the elderly. For nonprofessionals, there is
a need to increase understanding of our own aging and that
of our loved ones. The program's gerontology concentration
is designed for students interested in doing research on
aging, shaping public policy on the aging society, providing
services to the elderly, or increasing their own awareness
of human development in the later years. The program
provides training in the basic physiological and
social-scientific theories of aging, the impact of the physical and
cultural environment on the aging process, and policy issues
and ethical concerns pertaining to old age.
In addition to pursuing the M.A.I.S. degree, students
may pursue a certificate in gerontology. For information on
the undergraduate or graduate gerontology certificates,
contact Frieda Butler, College of Nursing and Health Science,
at (703) 993-1911.
Concentration in Video-Based Production
The concentration in video-based production has an
emphasis on video production encompassing various
components such as teleconferencing, interactive video, and
computer-controlled editing. As low-end, high-quality video
equipment becomes more affordable, more organizations
(profit and nonprofit) invest in "in-house" production studios
and staff. Their video needs include traditional videography,
teleconferencing, interactive video techniques,
computer-controlled video editing, and multimedia, to name a few.
Four units the Department of Communication,
Department of English, the Graduate School of Education, and the
Visual Information Technologies (VIT) program offer
relevant courses for the concentration in video-based production.
The Communication Department offers courses in the theory
and practice of video production. The Graduate School of
Education courses in interactive and distance learning provide
a background for pedagogy and a wide spectrum of
interactive skills. The English Department offers a course in
film theory, and the VIT program focuses on
computer-mediated visual applications, including the study of multimedia
tools and design, digital and electronic art, animation, and
virtual reality.
Admission Requirements
Students entering the program must have a basic
knowledge of video production. Students with little or no video
experience must take COMM 590 Seminar in Video
Production within the first nine credits of the program. Students
with video experience who wish to waive this requirement
must provide a videotape of their past work and consult with
Cindy Lont at (703) 993-1100.
Concentration in Regional Economic Development and Technology
The concentration in regional economic development
and technology is designed as a terminal master's degree
program for those who intend to become practicing
professionals and those who already are employed in this field
and wish to enhance their knowledge, skills, and credentials.
This program introduces the student to the basic theory and
current practice of economic development. Course work is
drawn from public policy, economics, public administration,
international commerce and policy, management, and sociology.
Admission Requirements
GRE or GMAT test scores are required for the regional
economic development and technology concentration.
Neither an MAT nor an LSAT test score is accepted. In
addition, two of the three letters of reference must be from
academic sources. Applicants with no background in economics
or statistical analysis are required to take background work
in courses such as INFT 500, DESC 201, or MATH 108
to raise the skill level necessary for completion of the program.
Concentration in Communication
The concentration in communication is designed on
the premise that communication is the metaphorical glue
that holds organizations, relationships, and social
structures together. Communication is also an appropriate focus
for students hoping to reach their potential in the university
of the 21st century. The information age has thrust
communication technologies to the forefront, and also has
made human/technology interactions an important site
for advanced study. Integrating different areas of study under
a concentration in communication has significant benefits
to students extending their education and to students
returning to their studies after years of experience in the
work force. The concentration is structured to provide students with
an exposure to theoretical foundations, research
methodology, and practical application while allowing students to
focus their individual programs on areas such as political
communication, intercultural communication,
communication and conflict, gender and communication,
organizational communication, mass communication, or other areas
related to communication.
Three courses in theory and research are required in
the student's first 12 credits of the program. One
3-credit practicum and 18 credits in a specialty area as well as
a project (MAIS 798, 3 to 6 credits) or thesis (MAIS
799, 6credits) are required for the degree. For additional information, contact Janette Kenner Muir, Department of
Communication, at (703) 993-1103.
Concentration in Recreation Resources Management
The concentration in recreation resources management
is designed for those employed or seeking careers with
agencies responsible for managing the nation's lands. One of
the principal managerial tasks of these agencies, at federal,
state, and local levels, involves accommodating and serving
people engaged in outdoor recreation. Preparing personnel to
plan, develop, manage and evaluate programs, policies, and
facilities for recreation users is the objective of the core
program requirements. Cognates in allied disciplines
are designed to complement and enrich career and/or
intellectual interests.
The core courses are available in distance learning
formats. Access to the Internet is required. Enrollment is
continuous. Students have six months to complete each course.
Students should consult with their faculty advisors to design a
program of study beyond the core requirements. Students
are required to present an oral defense of all theses or
projects on campus. For information, contact Susan Beale
at sbeale@gmu.edu; (703) 993-8301 (voice); or
(703) 993-8300 (fax).
Track in Liberal Studies
The liberal studies track is administered through the
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Please
consult that section of this chapter for further information.
George Mason University:1999-2000 University Catalog: Catalog Index: College of Arts and Sciences: Interdisciplinary Studies