Interdisciplinary Masters in Social Entrepreneurship
CURRICULUM
The curriculum combines required coursework in social entrepreneurship, management, public policy, public and international affairs, and leadership with courses aimed at individual student’s areas of specialization. Through a blend of academic courses and experiential learning opportunities (i.e., the practical and the theoretical), students graduate with the knowledge of leading edge concepts and research-based approaches, as well as the field experience necessary to succeed as social innovators.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS – A NEW TYPE OF LEADER
Given the complexity of today’s pressing global challenges, the application of pattern changing, knowledge-based solutions requires the knowledge, skills, and expertise of many disciplines. An interdisciplinary masters degree in social entrepreneurship (MAIS) from George Mason University prepares leaders to effectively launch, manage, and grow the next generation of social ventures and create systemic change. Whether in government, industry, or the citizen (non-profit) sector, these future leaders will be exposed to cutting edge knowledge, leaders in the field, and vital experiences that will help them bring entrepreneurial solutions to global challenges.
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“The most important change must be the change to empower humans from passive recipients of solutions to initiators and champions of change. Instead of continuing to operate within the existing social-political framework using the same incentives and elements that aren’t producing results, YOU will change the system and support new frameworks that enable large numbers of citizens to participate in — and drive — social change.” -Diana Wells, President, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public |
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About the MAIS in Social Entrepreneurship
George Mason University has earned its reputation as a globally oriented, innovative, entrepreneurial university, which since its founding has grown into a major educational force and gained national distinction across a range of programs and academic fields. In recent years, Mason has taken important steps towards becoming one of the nation’s leading universities in the emerging field of social entrepreneurship, which we define as the application of entrepreneurial solutions and sustainable business practices to the world’s most challenging social problems.
Following three years of partnership between Mason and the AshokaU Changemaker Campus Initiative and the March 2011 launch of the Mason Center of Social Entrepreneurship (MCSE), George Mason University now stands at the forefront of social entrepreneurship education in terms of faculty leadership, programs, courses, research, and outreach. Our proximity to Washington D.C. and our active partnership with Ashoka provides our graduate students with an unparalleled opportunity to become next-generation, leading social entrepreneurs.
The 36-credit MAIS in Social Entrepreneurship promotes advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students will combine required coursework in social entrepreneurship, management, public policy, public and international affairs, and leadership with courses aimed at individual student’s areas of specialization. Through a blend of academic courses and experiential learning opportunities (i.e., the practical and the theoretical), students will graduate with the knowledge of leading edge concepts and research-based approaches, as well as the field experience necessary to succeed as social innovators.
George Mason University - College of Humanities and Social Science
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is a cornerstone of learning and research at George Mason University.
Programs of study at the graduate level provide a strong foundation of knowledge rooted in theory and research. Programs of study at the undergraduate level build strengths in writing, leadership, and knowledge of global issues. All programs promote the exploration of contemporary issues through integrated interdisciplinary learning that encourages students to forge real-world connections to science, technology, and the community. See Degrees and Certificates for a complete listing of our academic offerings.
Core:
- MAIS 796 – Proseminar in Interdisciplinary Studies
- NCLC 595 – Foundations of Social Innovation
- NCLC 595 - Leading Social Change and
A choice of either
- PUAD 658*- Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Enterprise; or
- PUBP 761*- Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Social Entrepreneurship:
Three courses (9 credits), one required in each area:
Public Policy
- PUBP 761* – Social Entrepreneurship and Public Policy
- ITRN 769 – International Entrepreneurship
- PUBP 781 – Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
- PUBP 784 – Entrepreneurship, Economics, and Public Policy
Management
- MBA 674 – Ethical and Social Environment of Business in the 21st Century (p)
- MBA 711 – Entrepreneurship (p)
- MBA 714 – Managing Growth of Small Business (p)
- MBA 719 – Entrepreneurship Laboratory (p)
- MBA 752 – Turning Ideas into Successful Companies (p)
Public Administration
- PUAD 505 – Introduction to Management of Nonprofits
- PUAD 654 – The Community, Marketing, and Public Relations (p)
- PUAD 655 – Philanthropy and Fundraising (p)
- PUAD 658*- Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Enterprise
- PUAD 659 – Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics
Courses marked with an asterisk * PUBP 761 and PUAD 658 can fulfill the Core Course Requirement or the Interdisciplinary Perspectives Requirement but not both. However, both courses may be taken with one counting for the Core Course Requirement and the other for the Interdisciplinary Perspectives Requirement in either Public Policy (PUBP 761) or (PUAD 658) Public Administration.
Courses marked with a (p) have a prerequisite and require the permission of the instructor to enroll. While the units associated with these courses have given their general approval for these courses to be taken by students in the MAISconcentration in Social Entrepreneurship, each student must contact the instructor on an individual basis to request permission to enroll.
Disciplinary Focus/Electives (9 credits):
Social innovators work in very specific contexts and situations. To facilitate a greater expertise in students target domains, each MAIS student will complete 9 credits in one discipline chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Possible areas include existing courses in health and human services, education and human development, public and international affairs, engineering, management, conflict and resolution, or public policy.
Internship Requirements for MAIS Students (3 credits):
Admission to the MAIS concentration in Social Entrepreneurship and approval of MAIS Academic Director. The internship/practicum must be completed before the student registers for MAIS 798/799.
Project or Thesis Requirement (5 Units):
To graduate with an MAIS concentration in Social Entrepreneurship, all students will be required to complete a proposal and a project or thesis to be approved by the Academic Director. Proposal (1 credit): MAIS 797; and Project (4 credits): MAIS 798 or Thesis (4 credits): MAIS 799
Application Requirements
All applicants for the MAIS in Social Entrepreneurship must meet the admission standards specified in the University Catalog see http://catalog.gmu.edu/ and select the link to admissions.
Additional Requirements
All applicants to the MA in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship must also submit the following:
- Three academic or professional letters of recommendation
- A writing sample of no less than 1500 words addressing this question:
- “How are you a changemaker?”
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for many students.
For more information see http://catalog.gmu.edu/ and select the link to Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid.
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Find out more
To learn more about the MAIS in Social Entrepreneurship:
Download our brochure
Email us: mais@gmu.edu Call us: 703-993-8762 Visit our website: http://mais.gmu.edu Address: George Mason University Robinson Hall A 253B 4400 University Drive, 5G3 Fairfax, VA 22030- Provide me more information (and join our mailing list)
