Matt - Elevator Conversation

Integrative studies is a multidisciplinary major within George Mason’s New Century College – a subsidiary of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Services. The curriculum fuses traditional coursework with innovative teaching methods that cultivate intellectual and communicative skills. This program emphasizes the application of studied concepts through experiential learning.

I believe the integrative studies program was ideal because the curriculum was dynamic and goal-oriented. With a concentration in Legal Studies, I had the liberty to merge my academic passions – government and law – into one major. The primary appeal of the integrative studies program was to pursue my intellectual curiosities by taking a broader course load than is afforded in the government department. Specifically, I had the opportunity to participate in several internships – notably, in the US Senate, at a political consulting firm and on a presidential campaign. These internships brilliantly complemented my formal academic courses as it provided incomparable work experience. While many students intern during their college tenure, NCC mandates experiential learning and integrates these opportunities into the classroom.

The NCC model is defined by nine specific competencies that the college seeks to refine within the students. These intellectual and communicative objectives are the defining principles of the integrative studies program. Although many of the competencies are inherently apparent in many academic programs, the NCC curriculum emphasizes reflection and full recognition of these skills. The fundamental objective is to maximize the effectiveness of the academic program – that is, to fully appreciate the competencies through reflection.