MAIS 793: Integrated Learning Experience (formerly MAIS 797: Interdisciplinary Studies Proposal)

Please note: Our curriculum requirements are changing, beginning with catalog year Fall 2023. You can contact MAIS staff at mais@gmu.edu if you have questions!

Overview - For Catalog Years prior to Fall 2023

All Interdisciplinary Studies capstone projects and theses are preceded by a formal research proposal approved by the student's entire 3-person committee. To help students prepare to write a successful proposal, they are required to take a 1-credit course, MAIS 793: Integrated Learning Experience, which was formerly listed as MAIS 797 - Interdisciplinary Studies Proposal.

This course provides a structured environment in which students work on their proposals with the MAIS 793 instructor and the student's project/thesis committee chair. The course culminates in the presentation of the research project/thesis proposal to an audience of peers and professors.

Preparing for MAIS 793

Prerequisites for MAIS 793 - Integrated Learning Experience

  1. Completion of MAIS 696/796.
  2. 18 credits of coursework towards the degree.
  3. Completion of research methods course, if required. (The research methods course may not be taken concurrently with MAIS 793.)

Further, students getting ready for MAIS 793 should:

  • Have a topic idea in mind.
  • Have committee chair who is willing to work with them on their proposal.
  • Be thinking about the other two members of the committee, who will also approve the proposal.
  • Have sufficient time in their schedule. Though MAIS 793 is a 1-credit course, the amount of work involved in creating a graduate-level research proposal exceeds the work of a typical 1-credit course. 

Registration

The Interdisciplinary Studies graduate coordinator will admit a student to MAIS 793 after they have submitted the following items in soft copy to mais@gmu.edu:

  1. An up-to-date curriculum worksheet signed by the concentration head.
  2. An MAIS 793 Registration Checklist, available for download at right, that has been signed by the student's project/thesis committee chair.

Once the MAIS administrative coordinator has verified all of the items on the checklist, she will create a slot in the class. At that point, the student will log into Patriot Web to claim the slot. 

Overview - For Catalog Years Fall 2023 and later

MAIS 793: Integrated Learning Experience is required for all MAIS students. For those concentrations that require a project of thesis, or for those choosing to complete a project or thesis in concentrations where it is optional, this class will guide the student through developing their proposal for a project or thesis.  For students not required and not choosing to complete the optional project or thesis, this class will guide them through developing a deliverable that summarizes their work in the program. The course culminates with presentations of the research project/thesis proposals or deliverable to an audience of peers and professors.

Preparing for MAIS 793

Prerequisites for MAIS 793 - Integrated Learning Experience

  1. 18 credits of coursework towards the degree.
  2. Completion of research methods course, if required. (The research methods course may not be taken concurrently with MAIS 793.)

Further, students getting ready for MAIS 793 should:

  • Have a topic idea in mind.
  • For project or thesis: Have committee chair who is willing to work with them on their proposal.
  • For project or thesis: Be thinking about the other two members of the committee, who will also approve the proposal.

Registration

The Interdisciplinary Studies graduate coordinator will admit a student to MAIS 793 after they have submitted the following items in soft copy to mais@gmu.edu:

  1. An up-to-date curriculum worksheet signed by the concentration head.
  2. An MAIS 793 Registration Checklist, available for download at right, that has been signed by the student's project/thesis committee chair.

Once the MAIS administrative coordinator has verified all of the items on the checklist, she will create a slot in the class. At that point, the student will log into Patriot Web to claim the slot.