BIS Concentration Pathways
With the help of your academic advisor, you’ll focus your BIS degree on a concentration that aligns with your interests or career goals.
With concentrations focusing on leadership, data analysis, cybersecurity management, and more, you can get a head start on creating a degree to match your goals.
Want to learn more? Review the list of concentrations below and click on the title to expand and see the pathway details.
The following concentration pathways are guidelines to help students create their BIS individualized concentrations in consultation with their advisors. These pathways may be modified to fit the needs of a student’s plan of study. Some of the suggested courses listed here do have pre-requisites. It is the responsibility of students to review the catalog to check for pre-requisites and to ask their advisors if they have questions. Mason's catalog is located here: https://catalog.gmu.edu/
Unsure of which concentration to choose or to ask about creating one not listed below? Contact an advisor at bis@gmu.edu.
The BIS pathway in Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Technology uses interdisciplinary coursework to better understand the ethical dilemmas involved with implementing new technology like Artificial Intelligence. This pathway helps prepare students to analyze and evaluate ethical and societal implications of AI as it is being integrated into many different fields. Students who are interested in pursuing positions in government, non-profit or private agencies where technological decisions and policies are made might be interested in this pathway.
BIS Core Courses:
· BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
· BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
· BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
· BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Technology:
· ENGH 210: Equitable AI | 3 credits
· HIST 315: STEM and Society: A History | 3 credits
· HIST 390: The Digital Past | 3 credits
· INTS 249: Digital Literacy | 3 credits
· INTS 348: Digital Futures | 3 credits
· INTS 404: Ethics and Leadership | 4 credits
· IT 300: Modern Telecommunications. | 3 credits
· IT 304: IT in the Global Economy | 3 credits
· PHIL 241: Foundations of Ethics and AI | 3 credits
· PHIL 305: Business Ethics | 3 credits
· PHIL 309: Bioethics | 3 credits
· PHIL 344: Ethical Issues in Global Health | 3 credits
· PHIL 345: Topics in the Philosophy of Technology | 3 credits
· PHIL 355: Theories of Ethics | 3 credits
· SOCI 391: Big Data, Technology and Society | 3 credits
· COMM 300: Rhetorical Theory and Criticism | 3 credits
· GOVT 448: Ethics and International Politics | 3 credits
· GOVT 363: Science and Technology Institutions | 3 credits
· ANTH 395: Work, Technology and Society: an IT Perspective | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 36
This pathway fits well with the accelerated MA program in Global Affairs, MAIS Social Justice and Human Rights, Sociology.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Concentration in Community Development and Social Movements:
- ANTH 114 Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits
- COMM 326 Rhetoric of Social Movements & Political Controversy | 3 credits
- CONF 394 Human Rights and Inequality | 3 credits
- PSYC 333 Industrial/Organizational Psyc | 3 credits
- PSYC 327 Psychology in the Community | 3 credits
- INTS 304 Soc Movemnts/Community | 4 credits
- INTS 337 Social Justice Consciousness | 3 credits
- INTS 362 Social Justice and Human Rights | 3 credits
- SOCI 315 Gender and Society | 3 credits
- SOCI 382 Education in Contemporary Society | 3 credits
- CONF 340 Global Conflict Analysis/Resolution | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 34
The BIS pathway with coursework focusing on Cybersecurity Management develops future leaders in information security. Strategic Leadership is an interdisciplinary program which integrates information technology, leadership studies, communication and business management.
Learning Objectives: Students develop skills to anticipate and avoid cyber threats and learn how to protect an organization’s data assets as well as communication, research, writing and leadership skills which further an organization’s mission.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Cyber Security Management:
- INTS 404 - Ethics and Leadership | 4 credits
- or MGMT 303 – Principles of Management | 3 credits
- COMM 320 - Business and Professional Communication | 3 credits
- IT 343 - IT Project Management | 3 credits
- IT 304 - IT in the Global Economy | 3 credits
- or INTS 348 - Digital Futures | 3 credits
- CRIM 304 - Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing | 3 credits
- IT 462 - Applied Cyber Threat Analysis | 3 credits
- or GOVT 347 - International Security | 3 credits
- MBUS 306 Managing Projects and Operations | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 34
This BIS Pathway in Early Childhood Education Studies could also be titled Elementary Education Studies since the coursework listed here helps prepare students for future teaching roles. Students pursuing teacher licensure should meet with CEHD’s Office of Teacher Preparation to discuss content coursework and other requirements. They should also meet with a BIS Academic Advisor so any pending requirements can be built into the concentration course plan.
Students interested in teacher licensure should consider a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program option. This would allow students to apply to and begin their M.Ed initial teacher licensure program in Early Childhood Education (PK-3rd grade) or Elementary Education (PK-6th grade) while still an undergraduate student. The BAM would also enable students to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that would also count towards their BIS degree Concentration pathway.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Early Childhood Education Studies or Elementary Education Studies:
- ECED 201: Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners (3 credits)
- ECED 401: Developmental Pathways of Diverse Learners, Birth to Adolescence (3 credits)
- EDUC 200: Introduction to Education: Teaching, Learning, and Schools (3 credits)
- ECED 404: Engaging Families of Diverse Learners, Birth through Age 6 (3 credits)
- ELED 242: Foundations of Elementary Education (3 credits)
- ECED 402: Foundations of Language and Literacy for Diverse YL, Birth through Age 5 (3 credits)
- ECED 403: Inclusive Curriculum for Young Learners: Planning Instruction and Guidance (3 credits)
- EDUC 302: Human Development and Learning (3 credits)
- ECED 405: Intro to Early Childhood Special Education (3 credits)
- PSYC 312: Educational Psychology (3 credits)
- INTS 313: Therapeutic Benefits of Play (3 credits)
- INTS 316: Intro to Childhood Studies (3 credits)
- INTS 321: Parent-Child Relations (3 credits)
- HDFS 200: Individual & Family Development (3 credits)
- INTS 322: Teacher: A Historical Perspective (3 credits)
- INTS 436: Social Justice Education (3 credits)
The BIS pathway in Economic and Sustainable Development Studies uses interdisciplinary coursework to better understand the contexts and challenges of the sustainable development and look not only at the origins of problems but at the possibilities of solutions. This pathway helps prepare students interested in pursuing positions in local or international government or private agencies that serve the aid and international development arena, as well as those who are interested in pursuing graduate degrees focusing on development, policy, or globalization.
This pathway fits well with the accelerated MA program in Global Affairs, MAIS in Energy and Sustainability.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for a Concentration in Economic and Sustainable Development Studies:
- GLOA 101 Intro to Global Affairs | 3 credits
- ECON 309 Econ Problms and Publ Policies | 3 credits
- ECON 360 Economics of Developing Areas | 3 credits
- ECON 385 International Economic Policy | 3 credits
- ECON 362 African Economic Development | 3 credits
- GGS 305 Economic Geography | 3 credits
- GGS 307 Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development | 3 credits
- GLOA 386 Human Security, Globalization and Development | 3 credits
- GLOA 388 Global Health and Development | 3 credits
- GOVT 446 International Law and Organization | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 34
The BIS pathway in Health Information Management is an interdisciplinary set of courses which integrate health sciences, information technology, communication, leadership studies and business management. This pathway prepares students for roles in the field of health administration and health information technology.
Learning Objectives: Students develop strategic thinking analysis, research, writing and communication skills to further their careers. Students learn to combine interdisciplinary knowledge of health information systems and leadership resulting in a senior capstone research project which may look to quality management in healthcare organizations or quality improvement in patient care.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Concentration in Health Information Management:
- COMM 320: Business and Professional Communication | 3 credits
- HAP 301: Health Care Delivery in the United States | 3 credits
- HAP 360: Introduction to Health Information Systems | 3 credits
- HAP 430: Process Improvement in Healthcare Organizations | 3 credits
- INTS 451: Leadership/Org Problem-Solving | 4 credits
- INTS 404: Ethics and Leadership | 4 credits
- MBUS 306 Managing Projects and Operations | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 36
The BIS pathway in Strategic Leadership Communication prepares students for future roles by enhancing their ability to strategically influence and further an organization’s mission through communication. Strategic Leadership is a set of interdisciplinary courses which integrate leadership studies, communication and business management.
Learning Objectives: Students develop strategic thinking analysis, research, writing and communication skills to further their careers.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Strategic Leadership Communication:
- INTS 451: Leadership/Org Problem-Solving | 4 credits
- INTS 404: Ethics and Leadership | 4 credits
- COMM 320: Business and Professional Comm | 3 credits
- COMM 335: Organizational Communication | 3 credits
- COMM 430: Persuasion | 3 credits
- INTS 356: Resilience and Well Being | 3 credits
- MBUS 306 Managing Projects and Operations | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 36
The BIS pathway with coursework focusing on Strategic Leadership in Data Analysis prepares students for roles in the field of information technology by enhancing their ability to strategically influence and further an organization’s mission through communication. Strategic Leadership is an interdisciplinary field which integrates computational data sciences, leadership studies, communication and business management.
Learning Objectives: Students develop data analysis, data mining, strategic thinking analysis, research, writing and communication skills to further their careers.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Strategic Leadership Communication in Data Analysis:
- INTS 451: Leadership/Org Problem-Solving | 4 credits
- INTS 404 - Ethics and Leadership | 4 credits
- COMM 320 - Business and Professional Comm | 3 credits
- COMM 335 - Organizational Communication | 3 credits
- CDS 302 – Scientific Data and Databases | 3 credits
- CDS 303 – Data Mining | 3 credits
- CDS 301 – Scientific Inf/Data Visualization | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 36
The BIS pathway with coursework focusing on Strategic Leadership prepares students for future roles in the fields of science and technology by enhancing their ability to strategically influence and further an organization’s mission through communication. Strategic Leadership is an interdisciplinary field which integrates science, leadership studies, communication and business management.
Learning Objectives: Students develop strategic thinking analysis, research, writing and communication skills to further their careers in the fields of science and technology.
BIS Core Courses:
- BIS 300: Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 credits
- BIS 301: Adult Learner Transitions | 3 credits
- BIS 390: The Research Process | 3 credits
- BIS 490: RS: Bachelor Individual Study Project | 3 credits
Choose 7 of the following courses for Strategic Leadership Communication in Science (or Technology):
- INTS 451: Leadership/Org Problem-Solving | 4 credits
- INTS 404 - Ethics and Leadership | 4 credits
- COMM 320 - Business and Professional Comm | 3 credits
- COMM 335 - Organizational Communication | 3 credits
- INTS 301: Science in the News | 3 credits
- COS 300: Professional Preparation for STEM Disciplines | 3 credits
- PSYC 417: Science of Well Being | 3 credits
Total Concentration Credits: 36