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.
Nance Lucas, associate dean
Kelly Dunne, director of academic affairs
Karen Misencik, director of experiential learning
Sarah Sweetman, director of student services
Professor: O’Connor
Associate professors: Gabel, Garner, Gring-Pemble, Lucas, Muir, Smith, Wood
Assistant professors: Cambridge, Wingfield
Term assistant professors: Scott, Szulczewski
Adjunct faculty: Bernard, Bruno, Fuertes, Grymes, Holder, Johnson, Raffel, Ryan, Underwood, Uy-Tioco, West
Greg Justice, program manager
Heather Hare, associate director
Misty Hensley-McGaffey, program coordinator
NCC offers all course work designated NCLC in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
BA-INTS, BS-INTS
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.
Students who enroll in this degree program their first year of college take four highly focused, interdisciplinary courses (8 credits each), 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. 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.
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 and professional objectives.
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.
The curriculum has four major components. Division I is general education, which can be completed through the first year of common courses, experiences, and integrated learning (also known as the “First-Year Experience”) or through traditional university course work. 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).
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/general education: The first-year experience is a sequence of four courses following a 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 of 24 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 create a portfolio of their work that is reviewed by NCC faculty, as well as a culminating college senior exposition, which is done through NCLC 491 Senior Capstone. Students are required to take NCLC 491 the semester prior to graduation.
Division IV, experiential learning requirement: A minimum of 12 credits of experiential learning are required to fulfill 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. No more than 24 credits of experiential learning can count toward a student’s total credits for graduation.
Specific sections of NCLC 275, 375, and 475 Special Topics and other relevant course work may be applied toward a concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.
With approval of the undergraduate director, students may construct an individualized concentration.
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 take NCLC 391 within their first two semesters in NCC and meet with an academic advisor as soon as possible. For more information, call 703-993-1436.
The minor in leadership helps prepare students to lead effectively in the 21st century. It provides a broad understanding of leadership in contemporary society 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.
In accordance with university policy, at least 8 credits must be applied only to the minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the student’s major, concentration, or another minor. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.
Students in the minor complete 15 credits of course work distributed as follows:
Other electives may be applied to the minor with prior approval of the director.
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.
Benjamin, Sacco, Smith (coordinator), Toepler
The nonprofit minor introduces students to the theories and practical realities of working in the American nonprofit or charitable sector. The required course work highlights the historical, legal, and social foundations of nonprofit organizations and their operating characteristics, focusing on such distinctive issues as mission-drive management, earned and unearned revenue, and volunteerism. Elective courses and experiential learning encourage students to explore their professional and/or personal interests.
Students pursuing this minor must complete 16 credits distributed as follows:
Each of the required courses is writing intensive with a requirement of at least 3,500 words in logs, essays, and analyses. Writing assignments are aggregated with a cover document at the end of the program into a portfolio that documents the student’s experience in studying the nonprofit world.
* These courses are approved to earn experiential learning credits.
In accordance with university policy, at least 8 credits must be applied only to the minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the student’s major, concentration, or another minor. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.