Orientation Summer 2013

Academics at UMW

Fred A. Pierce IIIAssociate Provost, Enrollment Management and Student Services

University of Mary WashingtonEnrollment4,515 undergraduate students 578 graduate students

Student-to-Faculty Ratio 14:1

UMW ranks sixth among public southern universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 edition of America’s Best Colleges, and

16th among all southern universities in the same category.

Mary Washington has been ranked in the top 20 among southern universities each year for more than five consecutive years.

Liberal Learning

The value of exploration:

• Knowledge acquisition• Become a well-rounded scholar with an

education grounded in broad exposure to knowledge in many fields

• Enhance critical thinking, sound reasoning abilities, and effective communication skills

UMW’s Academic Structure

College of Arts & SciencesCollege of BusinessCollege of Education

Students are undeclared during the freshman year

Components of a B.A./B.S. Undergraduate Degree

General Education (30-43 credits)The common core curriculum that underscores our liberal arts foundation

Major (30-45 credits)Focus on knowledge and discovery in the primary field, or fields, of interest

Electives (32-47 credits)Courses a student elects to take

Minor Optional (15-28 credits)

Students graduate when they have fulfilled the required components of an undergraduate degree with a minimum

of 120 credit hours.

Defining the General Education Requirements• First Year Seminar (1 course)• Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses)• Natural Science (2 courses)• Language (through 202 level)• Arts, Literature and Performance (2 courses)• Human Experience and Society (2 courses)• Global Inquiry (1 course)• Experiential Learning (1 course)

- Study Abroad -Internships for Academic Credit- Undergraduate Research -Community Service

• Speaking Intensive Requirement (2 courses)• Writing Intensive Requirement (4 courses)

30+ Undergraduate Programs of Study •American Studies •Anthropology •Art History •Biology •Business Administration •Chemistry•Classics •Computer Science •Economics • English, English with a Creative

Writing Concentration • Environmental Science - Natural

Science and Social Science Concentration

•French •Geography •Geology •German

•Historic Preservation •History •Interdisciplinary •International Affairs •Latin •Mathematics •Music • Philosophy , Philosophy with a Pre-

Law Concentration •Physics •Political Science •Psychology •Religion •Sociology •Spanish •Studio Art •Theatre •Women’s and Gender Studies

Academic and Career Advising

First year academic planning is offered through the Office of Academic Services and Career Services.

Major academic advising is provided by a faculty member from a student’s chosen academic discipline.

Part-time Implications: Students who fall below full time status or take less than 12 credits may run into issues related to financial aid/scholarships, housing, insurance and NCAA team eligibility

Overload: To take more than 18 credits in any given semester, you must seek permission by contacting the Office of Academic and Career Services

Athletes: Remember to plan for practice, generally athletes should try to schedule morning classes and avoid scheduling classes during the 3-6pm time period when many teams practice

Credit Hours/Course LoadBalancing Academics and Activities

Full time course load: 12 credits

Maximum course load: 18 credits

Average course load per semester:

14-16 credits

•Undergraduate Catalog•Tutoring•Focus Seminars and Study Skills Workshops:

Note Taking Avoiding ProcrastinationTest Taking Study GroupsOrganization Stress ManagementTime Management

•Academic Internship Program•Major Exploration•Job/Internship Search•Resume/Cover Letter Preparation•Interview Preparation•Graduate School Preparation•Alumni/Employer Networking Events

Academic and Career Services Resources

•Faculty•Academic and Career Services, Lee Hall 2nd floor window•Center for International Education, Lee Hall Suite 434•Disability Resources, Lee Hall 401•Resources Inspiring Student Excellence (RISE) Peer Mentor Program, Lee Hall 211•Speaking Center, Combs 101•Writing Center, Trinkle 107-A

Additional Resources

•Participate in study abroad•Intensive academic experiences•Pursue experiential learning (i.e. internship or community service)

related to your professional interest

Using Summers Strategically

• Build your professional contacts through intentional networking• Prepare for graduate school

Fall 2013 tuition bills sent/viewable through EaglePAY: Early JulyFall 2013 tuition bills due: End of JulyMove-in day: Aug. 23nd

First day of classes: Aug. 26th

Last day to add a class: Aug. 30th Last day to drop a 16-week course without a grade of “W”: Sept. 13th Fall Break: Oct. 12th-15th Last day to drop with a grade of “W”: Oct. 25th Last day of classes: Dec. 6th Reading days: Dec. 7th-8th Finals exams: Dec. 9th-13th

Important Dates

•Class Registration: http://academics.umw.edu/registrar/course-schedules-and-registration/

•Academic Calendar: http://academics.umw.edu/calendar/fall-2013/

•Academic and Career Services: http://www.umw.edu/academicandcareerservices/

•Technology: http://technology.umw.edu/info/

Useful Websites

WHAT’S NEXT?