College of Humanities and Social Sciences
A Message from the Dean
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is a cornerstone of learning and research at George Mason University. Nearly 40 percent of Mason undergraduate students seek a degree from the college and thousands more take advantage of its diverse scholarly pursuits, academic approaches, and centers for research. Across all disciplines, students develop awareness of communication, ethics, leadership, and global issues allowing them to transition easily into careers that require extended knowledge.
Our graduates become public relations professionals, project managers, historians, journalists, psychologists, anthropologists, security specialists, and writers, to name a few. In short, they are the voices of the future.
The college is home to 11 departments in the humanities and social sciences, more than a dozen interdisciplinary programs, and New Century College. Programs of study provide a strong foundation of knowledge rooted in theory and research, and encourage the exploration of contemporary issues through varied approaches like new media, technology, and community involvement. The college boasts a distinguished faculty of more than 400, including two Nobel laureates, as well as recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, the MacArthur, and the Guggenheim awards.
The college’s funding priorities include:
- Endowed deanships, chairs and professorships: Funds used to attract and retain our outstanding faculty.
- Endowed scholarships and fellowships: The best tool we have to attract and retain the best and brightest students. Scholarships can be merit based, need based, or a combination of both.
- Program and research support: A way to insure that our innovative and groundbreaking programs and research efforts are sustained. Travel and study abroad opportunities for both students and faculty are often awarded through these funds.
- Interdisciplinary programs: Interdisciplinary Studies is for students who seek degrees that integrate knowledge from several disciplines. The program addresses the rapidly evolving demand for unique forms of study by promoting advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.
- Dean’s Fund for Excellence: Unrestricted funds managed by the dean for use throughout the year on everything from book scholarships to faculty stipends for teaching overseas.
For more information, please contact the Office of University Development at 703-993-9319 or e-mail supportchss@gmu.edu.
Jack Censer, PhD
Dean