New Century College
Phone: 703-993-1436
Web: ncc.gmu.edu
An integral part of CHSS, New Century College (NCC) offers students a small college interdisciplinary education within the context of a large public university. Using a cohesive interdisciplinary faculty and borrowing faculty members from other disciplines, NCC provides a learning environment that integrates interdisciplinary knowledge with workplace and lifelong learning skills. NCC has a strong commitment to enhancing technology skills, improving student writing, and providing challenging opportunities.
NCC meets this challenge by having students interact closely with faculty; engage in critical thinking, problem solving, creative activity, and leadership development; and participate in experiential education in the form of internships, field studies, service learning, or study abroad. NCC teaches students to develop original ideas, engage in active and reflective learning, master competency areas, and conduct independent inquiry with high ethical standards. Both NCC's structure and curriculum respond to the needs of civic and corporate communities and provide instruction for a rapidly changing society.
Two degree programs are housed in NCC: bachelor of arts in integrative studies and bachelor of science in integrative studies.
Administration
Nance Lucas, associate dean
Kelly Dunne, director of academic affairs
Sarah Sweetman, director of student services
Faculty
Professors: Oates, O'Connor
Associate professors: Eby, Gabel, Garner, Gring-Pemble, Lucas, Muir, Smith, T. Wood
Assistant professors: Cambridge, Wingfield
Term assistant professors: Scott, Szulczewski
Term instructor: Smith
Adjunct faculty: Andrews, Bernard, Fuertes, Holder, Johnson, Orrell, Petro, Raffel, Ryan, Schedler, Sepehrrad, Underwood, Uy-Tioco, West
Centers
Center for Field Studies
Greg Justice, program manager
Center for Leadership and Community Engagement
Heather Hare, associate director
Course Work
NCC offers all course work designated NCLC in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
Integrative Studies, BA, BS
The curriculum is based on intensive, interdisciplinary learning communities, coordinated with traditional academic programs. The result is an integrated program of study that emphasizes collaboration, experiential learning, and self-reflection. The program provides interdisciplinary, integrated concentrations. Although there are many possibilities, the following are some examples of the programs of study that have been created: preprofessional (medicine, law, education), conservation studies, child and family studies, organizational administration, and leadership studies.
In the first year, students take four highly focused, interdisciplinary courses (8 credits), one course at a time. They learn how to make distinctions, appreciate different perspectives, and find connections in what they learn. After the first year, the curriculum offers various learning communities that feature experiential learning and faculty-student research that addresses fundamental questions. Students complete their degree programs with an interdisciplinary concentration. Preprofessional majors follow a program of study best suited to their particular goals. The program requires mastery of essential competencies (communication, valuing, global understanding, problem solving, group interaction, effective citizenship, aesthetic awareness, critical thinking, and information technology) assessed through freshman and graduation portfolios.
Admission Requirements
Students who meet Mason's general admission requirements may enroll in the integrative studies program. Each student works with an advisor from the college's advising staff to identify the student's academic objectives, and the likelihood the student will benefit from the curriculum.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete an equivalent of 120 credits of course work with at least 24 credits in learning communities, 12 credits of experiential learning (see Curriculum Requirements below), and 35 credits in general education. A student's concentration consists of at least 30 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00, which may draw from learning communities, experiential learning, independent study, and traditional university courses. Students must present a final cumulative portfolio and a college senior exposition.
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum has four major components. Division I is the first year of common courses, experiences, and integrated learning; it is also known as the "First-Year Experience." Thereafter, students pursue their academic and career goals through learning communities (Division II) and courses for their concentration (Division III), and experiential learning (Division IV). A student may join learning communities or take courses in other academic units in the university any time after the First-Year Experience.
General education requirements are met in Division I and II. Division I fulfills most general education requirements. Students may also test out of some requirements. The university's 6-credit written communication general education requirement is met through completion of Division I and Division II with an overall 2.00 GPA. All 300-level and above learning communities include at least one writing assignment that requires revision.
Division I, or First-Year Experience: a four-unit, common curriculum. Each learning community (NCLC 110, 120, 130, 140) is six or seven weeks long and separated by two-week interims or a winter intersession. Each meets Monday through Thursday and may include lectures and exams but emphasizes seminar discussions, collaborative assignments, and problem-centered projects.
NCLC 110 emphasizes composition and communication, computer applications, and analytical reasoning; NCLC 120 studies the natural world and develops computational skills; NCLC 130 studies the socially constructed world through the interdisciplinary study of global civilization; and NCLC 140 studies the relationship between the individual and society. The intersessions are built into the curriculum to allow cocurricular activities, such as community service learning, leadership training, or specialized workshop courses. The winter intersession also allows for intensive short courses, study abroad, individualized projects, research, or experiential learning outside the college.
Division II, learning communities: combines subjects usually taught in separate courses into a single course of study. Learning communities offer the equivalent of between 3 and 9 credits of undergraduate work and replace the often fragmented classroom experience many students encounter in a series of unconnected course offerings. In interdisciplinary learning communities, faculty and students explore various ways to understand a topic. Learning communities also offer a greater sense of identity with an academic community, especially in the college environment typical of a regional state university. Several learning communities are scheduled to make attendance easier for part-time students. Team teaching; collaborative projects; emphasis on writing and critical thinking; opportunity for independent study; and integrative experiential learning are all important components of learning communities. Many learning communities have experiential learning attached, either as a part of the class or an option for students to take.A minimum of24 credits in learning communities is required for graduation.
Division III, a concentration: the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. Students complete an interdisciplinary concentration already established in the integrative studies curriculum or, in some cases, create with faculty a unique program of study to fit their particular interests and needs. The concentration comprises traditional courses, learning communities, independent study, and experiential learning. Students must present a portfolio of their work, as well as a culminating college senior exposition. This is done through NCLC 491 Senior Capstone, which students are required to take the semester prior to graduation.
Division IV, experiential learning requirement: A minimum of 12 credits of experiential learning (including internships) are required toward fulfilling graduation requirements. Experiential learning sites may change each semester to include study abroad programs, internships, community service learning, and field study opportunities. In many cases, students should complete learning contracts for experiential learning activity undertaken. This requirement reflects the college's commitment to provide educational experiences that prepare graduates for the workplace and the demands of active and responsible citizenship. The faculty's goal is twofold: to engage the workplace as a site of instruction and expose students to the variety of skills needed to succeed, and to combine work experience with academic study so that each will enrich the other.
Experiential learning may include course field trips and off-campus learning experiences. Students may be responsible for their own transportation, including bus, subway, and carpooling. Student liability insurance for the experiential learning internship is provided by Mason. Students are responsible for their own health care, including emergency care. New Century College assumes no financial responsibility for the health care of students. An accident and health insurance plan is available through the university.
Transfer Students
NCC accepts students from other four-year institutions or community colleges, as well as from other academic units within Mason, into the integrative studies program after admission to the university. NCC's academic advisors work with students to best use transfer credits and provide a plan for timely completion of the bachelor's degree. All transfer students are required to meet with an academic advisor as soon as possible. For more information, call 703-993-1436.
Minor in Leadership
The minor in leadership helps prepare students to lead effectively in the 21st century. It provides a broad understanding of leadership in contemporary times and emphasizes civic engagement. Through the required course work, students examine theories of leadership, analyze methods and styles of leadership, and participate in experiences to develop their own leadership skills. Students demonstrate what they have learned through community service-learning to Mason and the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
The minor in leadership may be pursued concurrently with any undergraduate major.
For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.
Requirements
Students in the minor complete 15 credits of course work distributed as follows.
- Three required core courses (11 credits)
- NCLC 204 Leadership Theory and Practice (4 credits)
- NCLC 375 Special Topics: Ethics and Leadership (3 credits)
- NCLC 435 Leadership in a Changing Environment (4 credits)
- One course (1-3 credits) of experiential learning, which may be fulfilled through an approved internship, community service course, or other course work that includes experiential learning. The following courses fill this requirement as do some offerings under the courses NCLC 195, 395, and UNIV 300. Students should seek prior approval of the director of the minor for courses to apply to this requirement.
- COMM 349 Student Leadership Seminar (1 credit)
- NCLC 195 Alternative Spring Break (1 credit)
- One or more elective courses (3-4 credits) chosen from the experiential learning options above or from the following. Courses are 3 credits unless otherwise specified.
- AVT 309/NCLC 346 Art as Social Action (4 credits); AVT 370 Entrepreneurship in the Arts (4 credits)
- CONF 300 Conflict Resolution Techniques and Practice
- CVPA 305 Seminar in Arts Management
- DESC 456 Quality Management
- EDUC 303 Politics of American Education
- EVPP 361 Environmental Politics
- FNAN 401 Advanced Financial Management
- GOVT 430 Comparative Political Leadership
- HEAL 323 Program Leadership and Evaluation
- HSCI/NURS 436 Leadership and Management in Healthcare
- IT 304 IT in the Global Economy
- MGMT 413 Organizational Development and Management Consulting
- MIS 435 Knowledge Management
- MKTG 471 Marketing Management
- MLSC 300 Applied Leadership I (1 credit), MLSC 400 Leadership Management, MLSC 401 Leadership and Ethics
- MSOM 301 Managing People and Organizations, MSOM 302 Managing Information in a Global Environment, MSOM 305 Managing in a Global Economy, MSOM 306 Managing Projects and Operations (3 credits)
- PRLS 316 Outdoor Education and Leadership
- PSYC 231 Social Psychology
- PSYC 333 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- SOCI 307 Social Movements and Political Protest
- TOUR 330 Resort Management
Other electives may be applied to the minor with prior approval of the director.
Interdisciplinary Minor in Multimedia
NCC and the College of Visual and Performing Arts coordinate the interdisciplinary minor in multimedia. See the Interdisciplinary Minors section of this chapter for a description.
Interdisciplinary Minor in Nonprofit Studies
NCC and the Department of Public and International Affairs coordinate the minor in nonprofit studies. See the Interdisciplinary Minors section of this chapter for a description.