individualized studies

The Individualized Studies Degree is for students who wish to design a graduate program to meet the special needs of their careers and life plans. Prospective students usually choose the Individualized option because traditional graduate programs do not meet their specific goals. Students, with help from faculty advisors, design unique programs of study that include courses from several academic departments.

The first step: students considering an Individualized Studies Degree are encouraged to explore the GMU catalog (available in hard copy at the GMU bookstore), and make a list of courses that support their interests and goals. The MAIS Departmental Application Form is a useful worksheet for students attempting to define their proposed coursework. Check this list against the paradigm of degree requirements, listed below. Also check any similar graduate programs offered at GMU, since Individualized programs must involve a course of study that is not otherwise available at GMU.

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, usually chaired by the student's faculty advisor. Project or thesis proposals must be approved by the student committee and the MAIS Executive Committee before students can register for project or thesis credits (MAIS 798, 799). The university thesis requirement for continuous registration, also applies to the project.

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admission requirements

POTENTIAL APPLICANTS ARE URGED NOT TO APPLY TO CHSS GRADUATE ADMISSIONS PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A DEPARTMENTAL APPLICATION FORM AND A 300-500 WORD GOALS STATEMENT TO mais@gmu.edu. THE STATEMENT SHOULD PROVIDE THE EVLAUATOR WITH SOME INSIGHT INTO YOUR PROCESS FOR PICKING THE COURSES LISTED ON YOUR DEPARTMENT FORM. THIS DEPARTMENT FORM IS AVAILABLE AT THE LINK LISTED UNDER "THE FIRST STEP"(see above). ALL INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS MUST WORK WITH THE MAIS OFFICE TO OBTAIN A FACULTY ADVISOR PRIOR TO APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM.    

Students admitted to the MAIS program must show a capacity for original thought in cross-disciplinary research. Students will only be admitted if the program can assign a faculty advisor appropriate for the intended course of study. In addition to fulfilling George Mason admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit the following:

• Three letters of reference
• 1,000 word writing sample
• Resume
• MAIS Departmental Application Form
• Goals Statement

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degree requirements

In addition to meeting all graduate study requirements listed in the GMU catalog, candidates for the MAIS Individualized Studies Degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate course work, including the following:

• 12 to 18 credits in a single discipline
• 9-18 credits of courses in complementary disciplines(as approved by advisor and MAIS director)
• Please note:  The single discipline or complementary discipline, as listed above, must encompass a College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) department. Click here to see a full listing of academic programs in CHSS. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the Director of MAIS.
• at least 3 credits of research methodology (approved by the student's faculty advisor and the MAIS director)
• 1 credit of MAIS 797 proposal writing
• 2 to 5 credits of MAIS 798 (project) or 5 credits of MAIS 799 (thesis) after 27 hours of study (including research and methodology course)
• For a copy of the Individualized Curriculum Contract go to: Download Concentration Contract (pdf)

Each student must submit a curriculum contract (approved by student advisor and MAIS director) during the first semester enrolled, and must amend this contract (with approval of advisor and MAIS Director) for any changes.

Credits that apply to the MAIS - Individualized degree are subject to the following restrictions:

• A maximum of 6 credits earned through independent study or directed readings and research courses
• A maximum of 6 credits taken through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (These credits are counted as resident and not transfer credit.)
• A maximum of 15 transfer credits (All transfer credits require the approval of the faculty advisor, the director of the MAIS program, and the dean. Transfer credits are any credits taken before first enrolling as an admitted degree-seeking student, whether taken at another institution, taken in another George Mason University graduate program, or completed through George Mason University's Extended Studies Program.)
• Of the 15 possible transfer credits, a maximum of 6 may be from other accredited institutions.
• GMU graduate policy requires that 18 resident credit hours be completed while in degree status.

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contact information

Contact the MAIS office (located in Enterprise Hall, Room 414, GMU Fairfax Campus) at mais@gmu.edu or 703.993.8762.

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course information

The MAIS - Individualized student has access to most graduate courses offered by the university (note: all course prerequisites listed in the GMU catalog are applicable). Specific courses for an individualized degree vary according to student goals and plans.

An individualized plan must include at least 12 credit hours in one concentration, with a maximum of 18 credit hours in that concentration. An appropriate research and methodology course must be included, as well as either 5 credits of MAIS 799 (thesis) or 3-5 credits of MAIS 798 (Project).

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