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Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Century College?
New Century College (NCC) is the GMU college that offers Bachelor of
Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in integrative and individualized
studies. We also offer exciting opportunities for undergraduates to
extend their studies through leadership development, field studies,
community-based service learning, and Multimedia and Nonprofit Studies
minors.
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What kind of degree is Integrative
Studies?
The degree represents connected learning among the "traditional" disciplines.
The degree incorporates the strength of the disciplines with the acute
need for multidisciplinary and integrative approaches in today's work
environment. We help students connect and make sense of increasingly
dispersed knowledge to address complex problems. Students choose a concentration
track, earning either a B.A.I.N. or B.S.I.N. degree.
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What makes this program different from other programs
at GMU?
Many things make the integrative studies degree program unique:
- Classes
are small -- even first-year courses!
- Classes explore
active collaborative learning, group work and projects, as well as
case study analysis, portfolios, and research papers.
- The degree incorporates
real world application of knowledge with credit-earning internships,
study abroad, and service learning experiences.
- Students don't
just fulfill credit hours for graduation; they develop competency
in communication, critical thinking, problem solving, valuing, group
interaction, global perspective, effective citizenship, aesthetic
response, and information technology.
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If I transfer out of Integrative Studies will my
credits transfer?
Yes. All of the first year courses have been approved by the Faculty
Senate and have equivalencies to the traditional discipline-based courses.
An example of this is the integrative math-science course, NCLC 120:
"The Natural World". This course has the following equivalencies; Biology
104, Math 106 and Communication 101. Many learning communities are also
listed with equivalencies such as NCLC 201: "The World Since 1945,"
(History 130 and History 389).
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What kind of student will excel in this program?
If you are motivated, like to work with others, are committed to your
studies, and plan to get involved, you will succeed.
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Do I have a choice of what to take my first year?
The College believes in the philosophy of a core of common and shared
knowledge and the building of an intellectual community. So everyone
takes the same four courses in their first
year. Faculty build from these shared experiences in subsequent years.
In some circumstances students can take an additional course after consultation
with their faculty advisor. This common core allows a faculty member
to refer to a text or make connections across courses. Our first-year experience includes the broad areas of humanities, social sciences,
natural sciences, and mathematics, which are all components of the university's
general education requirements.
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Will I be with the same people in all the first
year classes?
The entering first year class is about 150 students. You will be part
of this community and placed in a minimum of 4 different seminars and
discussion groups. Experience has shown that being with a cohort this
size will not bore you; you will have the opportunity to meet and become
friends with a diverse group of people.
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The first year sounds pretty structured. Will I
be able to fit an extra music class, ROTC or sports into my schedule?
Yes. Several of our students want to keep up on their dance, music
and language skills. Your advisor will help you choose the appropriate
section and course. You can predict that our first year classes are
M-Th from 10:00-3:00. This leaves afternoons, evenings and long weekends
to study and play sports.
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Will I take only integrative studies courses or
will I be able to take other GMU courses?
After the first year, you will have about an equal mix of integrative
studies courses and specific discipline courses to construct your concentration.
The college offers interdisciplinary concentrations such as conservation
studies, internet and new media, organizational administration, family
studies, pre-medical studies, and education to name a few. We can also
develop an individualized concentration tailored to your career and
life goals.
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What happens to my AP or IB credits?
Your credit is evaluated according to the same George Mason University
procedures followed by all the other GMU Colleges.
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The College motto is "Connecting the Classroom to the World" and experiential
learning is just one way that happens. We require experiential learning
in the form of internships, co-ops, study abroad, short courses, and
service learning to strengthen and apply classroom instruction without
classroom learning.
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What are competencies and why does NCC use them?
We believe education is more than taking classes and tests. We believe
in a concurrent focus on skills such as communication, critical thinking,
information technology, problem solving, valuing, aesthetic response,
social interaction, effective citizenship, and creating global perspectives.
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What is the purpose of putting together a graduation
portfolio?
At the time you are ready to graduate, we celebrate your accomplishments
through the creation of your learning portfolio. You would have already
had lots of experience in portfolios by this time. The portfolio is
a reflective look at what you have accomplished, starting with your
introductory statement, a demonstration of learned competencies along
with a copy of your resume. The Senior Capstone course will help prepare
you for the world ahead as well as help you in the development of your
portfolio.
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How are NCC students assessed?
NCC courses emphasize experiential and holistic learning by employing
a variety of assessment tools. Many courses require end-of-term portfolios.
Group projects, presentations, reflective essays and tests are all instruments
used to ensure that students develop integrative and comprehensive learning.
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