CHSS Degree Requirements

In addition to completing major requirements, CHSS students must fulfill the college and university requirements for their catalog year. "Catalog year" refers to the course and non-course requirements of academic programs as stated in the school and college sections of a specific catalog. In addition to the University Catalog, CHSS maintains an updated list of Mason Core and College Requirements that advisors are welcome to reference.

College and university requirements that warrant careful planning by CHSS students include:

Foreign Language Requirement for BA and BFA

Students pursuing a BA or BFA degree within our college must achieve intermediate proficiency in a foreign language. Students can meet this requirement by:

  • Completing a 202-level foreign language course (or 212 for Spanish) offered through the Modern and Classical Languages Department (MCL)
  • Completing through EDSE 219, American Sign Language (ASL) III
  • Transferring credit for the 202-level of a foreign language from coursework or applicable exam scores (AP, IB, CLEP). Note: exams (AP, IB, CLEP) must have been completed prior to enrollment at Mason, and official transcripts with scores sent to Mason at the time of admission.
  • Achieving the appropriate score on the foreign language waiver test to receive a waiver of the requirement.
  • Receiving a waiver by providing the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office with four years of transcripts at the secondary (high school) level or higher from a foreign institution in which the language of the instruction was other than English.
  • Receiving a waiver by providing the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office with proof of TOEFL exam specific minimum scores (non-native speakers of English). 

Non-Western Culture Requirement for the BA and BFA

Students pursuing a BA or BFA degree within our college must take one course (3 credits) to fulfill the CHSS Non-Western Culture requirement. The course used to fulfill this requirement must be different from the course used to fulfill the Mason Core Global Understanding requirement.

Philosophy or Religious Studies Requirement for the BA and BFA

Students pursuing a BA or BFA degree within our college must take one course (3 credits) in either Philosophy or Religious Studies, with the exceptions identified in the University Catalog. PHIL 253, Philosophy and Literature, and RELI 235, Religion and Literature, cannot be used to fulfill both this requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement. 

Social and Behavioral Science Requirement for the BA and BFA

Students pursuing a BA or BFA degree within our college must take one course (3 credits) in social and behavioral science in addition to the Mason Core Social and Behavioral Science requirement. Courses used for the requirements must be from two different disciplines. 

Mason Core Natural Science Requirement and Anatomy Courses

Students may not fulfill the Mason Core Natural Science requirement by taking or transferring BIOL 124 and/or 125, Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Excluded Courses and Credits

Students pursuing MLSC (Military Science) courses should be aware that only MLSC courses at the 400-level can be used for credit towards the CHSS degree. Also, a maximum of three (3) credits in 100-level RECR (Recreation) coursework may be applied towards the CHSS degree and will count as general elective credit.