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
- Completion of MAIS 696/796.
- 18 credits of coursework towards the degree.
- 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:
- An up-to-date curriculum worksheet signed by the concentration head.
- 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
- 18 credits of coursework towards the degree.
- 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:
- An up-to-date curriculum worksheet signed by the concentration head.
- 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.
