Many categories within Mason Core allow you the option to choose from a diverse selection of courses. The right course selection can significantly impact your academic performance, career readiness, and overall college experience. By selecting courses strategically, you can develop a well-rounded skill set, enhance your professional qualifications, and explore new fields of study.
Tips to Choose the Right Course
Selecting the right course to fulfill your Mason Core category requirements can seem overwhelming as there are many ways to go about deciding which course is right for you. We always encourage students to work closely with their advisors but consider these options below for additional ways to narrow your selection to find a course that will add value to your education and goals.
1. Identify Your Goals
Make your Mason Core courses work for you. Consider what your long-term goals are, and make sure you thoughtfully select courses that will support you on that journey.
If you’ve already selected a major, consider how the courses you take in Mason Core will complement your future career. If you’re still undecided, take courses in an area that you’ve considered studying to see if you might like to major in it. Love to travel? Look into study abroad options that count toward your Mason Core credits. Planning to also get a minor? Find out what courses required in the minor can apply to Mason Core, which will help get you to graduation in a time efficient way.
2. Find Your Options
Make sure you know what courses are available to you, both in the semester you’re registering for, and courses that might be available in future terms. Use resources like the University Catalog, which lists all courses currently approved for Mason Core categories, and PatriotWeb, which allows you to search for courses offered by category.
3. Get Advice
Your advisor is the best resource for making sure you stay on track with your degree plan. Ask them for guidance on courses that might go well with your major or ask for recommendations that align with your personal interests. You can even ask your friends or peer advisors about what courses they took and enjoyed.
4. Understand the Course
Don’t just rely on the course title – read the course description in the catalog or look courses up on the department’s website to better understand what each course offers. Getting a better idea of what will be covered in each course will help you pick courses that will best align with your goals.
5. Stay Flexible
It’s important not to take a course just because you like the time it’s offered. Unless it’s a required course, you should always choose something that you’re interested in. Not every course will be offered each semester, and sometimes the course you want will be at a time that doesn’t work for your schedule. Be flexible to consider other options that might still add value to your long-term goals, working with your advisor as needed to ensure you know all your options.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Undergraduate Policies
Mason Core is a requirement for all students earning a bachelor’s degree at George Mason. Students should familiarize themselves with their degree’s expectations, including the grading policies for specific courses (e.g. English Composition) within Mason Core as outlined in the University Catalog under Academic Policy 5.3.
Transfer Credits
If you’re coming to George Mason with credits from another institution, make sure you meet with a transfer advisor to ensure you know how this impacts your requirements for Mason Core. Certain courses must be taken at George Mason, such as the Integration level courses, so make sure you understand how these requirements impact your time to degree.
Study Abroad Options
Not all Mason Core courses have to be completed in a traditional classroom. There are a variety of study abroad options that can count toward your Mason Core requirements, giving you the opportunity to explore new adventures and move closer to graduation. Not all study abroad experiences count toward Mason Core requirements, however, so please discuss your options with the Global Education Office and your advisor about finding the right option if that’s your intention.
Workforce Ready Minors
Want to increase your qualifications with a workforce ready minor? Each minor provides students with opportunities to count courses toward both a minor and Mason Core requirements, helping you to increase your options without adding credits. Work closely with your advisor to see how you can work Mason Core courses into minor options, saving you time and money.
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