The Russian and Eurasian Studies B.A. program is centered on the premise that the combination of language and interdisciplinary area studies is critical to producing graduates with a solid grounding to become experts on this critical world region. True expertise can never be attained without language learning, and so the program centers the study of the Russian language, a language designated “critical” by U.S. government agencies, or demonstration of knowledge of another language native to the REST region. Yet, the program also emphasizes that learning a language alone can never be enough to attain expertise. Students learn to put their language knowledge into context and into action through the interdisciplinary study of the region’s diverse cultures, histories, economies, politics, and societies. Students are then encouraged to engage in experiential learning through study abroad, and through internships in which they can make use of and further develop their budding expertise. Faculty serve as models and mentors, by being actively engaged in research and scholarly activities, nationally and internationally.

With three different concentrations requiring different levels of Russian language study (or knowledge of another language native to the Eurasian region), the Russian and Eurasian Studies major can easily be completed by students who transfer into Mason, even if they have not taken any Russian language courses prior to arrival. However, the most useful coursework a student can take prior to coming to Mason is in Russian language. Advisors always encourage students to develop their language skills as far as possible, so any Russian you take prior to arrival at Mason helps you move into advanced level language courses as soon as possible. Area studies courses in history, literature, culture, politics, economics, and so forth can all easily be taken in your time at Mason.

Students interested in Mason are encouraged to focus on completing courses that meet general education requirements. BA degree programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have additional requirements in: philosophy or religion, social and behavioral science, foreign language through the intermediate level, and non-western culture. Students are encouraged to use the "Contact an Institution" section of the portal and connect with our staff for questions related to specific course equivalencies and requirements.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
• Connect with an advisor at your community college and George Mason University within your first year

There are no specific requirements beyond required courses, however we strongly encourage students in Russian and Eurasian Studies to either study abroad in the Eurasian region or to study a summer away at a U.S. based intensive immersion language school as both of these types of experiences considerably improve language capabilities.

A high percentage of Russian and Eurasian Studies BA program students have double majors or minors in a wide variety of areas, combining their language and area studies expertise with additional specialization in particular fields and disciplines. Recent students have had double majors in anthropology, psychology, history, government and international affairs, and global affairs. Popular minors include intelligence studies, history, immigration studies, and many others.

Knowledge of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus is in demand among governmental and private-sector employers, especially here in the National Capitol Region, and the Russian and Eurasian Studies BA program provides its graduates with the kind of training that will allow them to provide expertise for a whole range of careers. The broad interdisciplinary study that lies at the heart of the program creates students who are skilled writers and critical thinkers, preparing them for a broad array of career paths engaged in the Eurasian region and beyond. Those wanting to make use of their area studies expertise after receiving their degree are provided the educational grounding that allows them to succeed in graduate study, government service, and in a wide array of private sector professions engaged with the region. The interdisciplinary nature of the program prepares its graduates for many different trajectories. Recent graduates have gone on to graduate study at places like NYU, UC-Berkeley, NC State, Columbia, and Mason where they have studied in a wide array of academic disciplines including linguistics, Russian studies, Russian literature, education, and government and international affairs. Recent graduates are employed at government agencies like USAID and for private sector employers like Booz Allen.

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: George Mason University

• Our students enroll from all over the Commonwealth, all 50 states, and more than 130 countries.
• Transfer students are encouraged, but not required to join our residential campus community of 6,300 students.
• Mason transfers thrive in any number of the 400+ academic, cultural, or social student organizations.