Waiver of the Non-Western Requirement

Students pursuing a BA in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences must complete three credits in a non-western culture from a list of approved courses. This requirement is in addition to the university's Mason Core requirement of three credits in global understanding. Students must meet both these requirements with different courses.

However, students who can demonstrate an advanced familiarity to a non-western culture through means other than completing coursework can apply for a non-western culture waiver. Additional information regarding the policies and procedures for these requests can be found below.

Requesting a Non-Western Culture Waiver

1. Review all policies pertaining to non-western culture waiver requests.
2. Fill out the Non-Western Culture Waiver Request Form.
3. Submit the completed form, and a copy of transcripts to the Undergraduate Academic Affairs office.

If you are granted the waiver, you will be contacted and your degree audit in Patriot Web will show that the requirement has been waived.

Non-Western Culture Waiver Policies

Students may request a waiver of the college requirement in non-western culture if they have attended an institution at the secondary level (e.g. high school) in a non-western country for four or more years. Students must provide official documentation of attendance to receive the waiver. The college does not review requests to waive the university's three-credit requirement in global understanding.

Students who are granted a waiver do not receive credit. Receiving a waiver for this requirement does not exempt students from completing the 120 credits of coursework required for a bachelor's degree.  Students who receive a waiver will have three additional elective credits.

Students have the right to appeal denial of a request. Information on submitting an appeal can be found at the bottom of the page