Mason Core is George Mason University’s general education program that builds the foundation for the George Mason Graduate—an engaged citizen and well-rounded scholar who is prepared to act. Mason Core is a set of required courses that create the foundation of a student’s undergraduate degree. It provides a breadth of liberal education courses, complementing the depth of knowledge and skills students build in their majors and minors.
The courses taken in Mason Core will help develop the skills needed to achieve the learning required in all academic majors and prepare you for a career in your chosen field. Research has shown that most employers, regardless of the field, have high expectations that their college-educated employees will come to the workplace well prepared to write and speak clearly, think critically, and solve problems creatively. If you have not yet selected a major, Mason Core courses can help in choosing a major, while also beginning to develop the skills and habits of thinking that will stay with you throughout your life.
Mason Core begins in your first year at George Mason, starting with the Foundation-level courses, which provide key skills needed for academic success. Exploration courses provide a breadth of learning across the university. Integration courses are upper-level courses that are designed to integrate knowledge and skills learned from Foundation and Exploration courses into your major. Academic advisors assist you in selecting Mason Core courses, which makes working with an advisor important to create the best possible Mason Core experience. It is critical that you meet with your advisor regularly as you continue toward graduation.
Why Does Mason Core Matter?
Mason Core is comprised of courses that will provide you with unique opportunities for success in life, regardless of your future goals. Through building a rich foundation of employable skills and exposing you to new ideas, Mason Core will allow you to achieve more both at George Mason and beyond.
It Builds Real-World Skills
- Communication, writing, problem solving, and so much more come from Mason Core.
- Employers consistently rank these as top skills they’re looking for in recent college graduates.
It Helps You Discover What You Love
- Mason Core lets you try out new fields without committing to a major.
- You might uncover an unexpected interest—or rule one out early.
It Makes You a Well-Rounded Thinker
- Mason Core offers broad knowledge: history, science, art, social science, literature, and more.
- You’ll become a better decision-maker and a more informed citizen.
It Teaches You to Connect the Dots
- Solving real-world problems often means drawing from multiple disciplines.
- Mason Core encourages systems thinking, seeing how everything is connected.
It Makes You a More Engaging Person
- You’ll have more to contribute to conversations, whether in class or at a party.
- Being well-read and curious makes you interesting, open-minded, and able to take on new challenges.
| The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives. |