University Studies

Transition To Mason – Courses For New Students

The Right Start!

Our first year transition courses connect new Mason students to faculty/staff, to one another and to campus resources for a successful transition to Mason. We offer transition courses for both freshmen and transfer students. Make the most of your Mason experience!

Transition to Mason

Our transition courses prepare students to: 

  • Access Mason resources related to their personal growth, academic development and career planning, and utilize these resources effectively 
  • Reflect on their experiences as they relate to their self-discovery and goals 
  • Connect with peers and the larger Mason community through meaningful interactions  
A UNIV Peer Advisor helps a student wearing a Mason sweatshirt with a worksheet in a UNIV 100 class.

First-Year Transition Courses

University 100 – Introduction to Mason (1 Credit)

UNIV 100 is Mason’s flagship transition course for first year students. It connects new Mason students to faculty/staff, to one another and to campus resources for a successful transition to Mason. It helps students develop essential skills for academic success, personal development, well-being, and career exploration. UNIV 100 aims to lay the foundation for an engaged community of Mason learners.

UNIV 100 Testimonials
“I would suggest all incoming freshman to register!”
“I’m glad I took it! It helped me learn more about GMU and tips to help on my path to success.”
“Teaching UNIV 100 has been the highlight of the semester! I love the process of developing lesson plans with my PA, getting to know the students, and seeing our students engage and grow in and out of the class.”
“I absolutely adored this course. Every class, I would come in excited to do a new activity or discussion. I also feel as if the class helped me connect to my hallmates and the community at GMU as a whole.”

University 108 – Mason Transitions (1 or 0 Credit)

UNIV 108 is very similar to UNIV 100 except that it is open to specific student populations such as those in specific colleges or those that associate with certain identity-based groups on campus. Topics covered will be adopted to the needs and interests of the student cohort in the course.

Section subjects include:

  • College-Specific (CEC, CVPA, etc)
  • Black Male Student Initiative
  • Student interest-based sections (topic can vary year to year)

*UNIV 108 can be taken as a one-credit or non-credit option. 1-credit counts as an elective, your grade goes into your GPA and it costs 1-credit hour tuition. Students who take it for non-credit can take the course for free but it doesn’t count toward credits for graduation; student will still do all the course requirements and receive a letter grade on their transcripts, but the grade will not affect their GPA.*

University 150 – Learning Communities (1 or 0 Credit)

UNIV 150 is very similar to UNIV 100 and 108 except that it is open to residential students in a specific Learning Community. Topics covered will be adopted to the needs and interests of the specific learning community. To learn more about learning communities, please click here.

*UNIV 150 can be taken as a one-credit or non-credit option. 1-credit counts as an elective, your grade goes into your GPA and it costs 1-credit hour tuition. Students who take it for non-credit can take the course for free but it doesn’t count toward credits for graduation; student will still do all the course requirements and receive a letter grade on their transcripts, but the grade will not affect their GPA.*

University 300 – Transfer Transition (1 or 0 Credit)

UNIV 300 is an Introduction to Mason course that is only offered for transfer students. Coursework is designed to help new transfer students get connected to Mason campus life, prepare for academic success as upperclassmen, and learn how to best leverage campus resources. It is offered as a half semester course. To accommodate the busy schedule of transfer students this course is offered online only.

*UNIV 300 can be taken as a one-credit or non-credit option. 1-credit counts as an elective, your grade goes into your GPA and it costs 1-credit hour tuition. Students who take it for non-credit can take the course for free but it doesn’t count toward credits for graduation; student will still do all the course requirements and receive a letter grade on their transcripts, but the grade will not affect their GPA.*

For more information about this course please feel free to email Caroline Simpson at csimpso@gmu.edu or at univ@gmu.edu.

For more information about our courses, see the University Catalog.