Academic Showcases
Have questions about the major you are interested in? Do you want to learn more about how you can graduate in time? Academic departments across campus have compiled information below to help you with any questions and concerns that you may have. Find information about various departments, get contact information, and helpful links to assist you in getting acquainted with faculty and staff who will be pivotal during your journey.
Department of Communication and Digital Studies
Department of English and Linguistics
Department of Theatre and Dance
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Geographic Information Science Certificate (GISC)
The Department of Art and Art History offers two distinct but interrelated degrees: Studio Art and Art History. Nine full-time faculty and five adjunct faculty, all active professionally, teach over 50 courses each year between the two disciplines. The department has over 100 declared majors and houses seven art studios, a darkroom, two art history lecture rooms, a seminar room, and a digital media lab. Melchers on the Porch, located on our second floor landing offers students a place to engage in lively discussions about art in a more casual environment. Students have access to historic and contemporary art exhibits featured in our two galleries, Ridderhof Martin Gallery and DuPont Gallery, and attend lectures related to exhibitions and art historical critical analysis through our robust visiting speakers program. All of our majors are eligible to apply for generous scholarships and awards each academic year.
Contact information: Jon McMillan, jmcmilla@umw.edu, 654-1936, https://cas.umw.edu/art/
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/art/information-for-prospective-students/
Links to videos and information packets:
UMW Galleries- www.umwgalleries.org
UMW Student Art Association- https://www.facebook.com/groups/278531535581134/
Department of Art and Art History website- https://cas.umw.edu/art/
The mission of the Biological Sciences Program is to provide a strong undergraduate education in the fundamental principles of the biological sciences and train students to use the research methods practiced by any scientist working in the biological sciences, health sciences, and environmental sciences. The program is designed to prepare undergraduates for future careers in life sciences research, biotechnology, medicine, dentistry, and other allied health fields.
Contact: Lynn Lewis, llewis@umw.edu, 540/654-1415
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/biology/
Links to videos and information packets:
https://canvas.umw.edu/enroll/BFF4AK
Professionals with business degrees are found in nearly every industry. At UMW, the College of Business provides opportunities for students to develop relationships with professionals, get an inside look at regional businesses, hear about the career paths of successful alumni, and interact with local business professionals.
For incoming students who wish to study business, we strongly recommend that you visit our FAQs page, which features answers to frequently asked questions, as well as video messages from COB faculty for incoming students.
Contact: Ken Machande–kmachand@umw.edu
Website: https://business.umw.edu/prospective-students/college-of-business/
Links to videos and information packets:
https://www.facebook.com/umwbusiness/
UMW offers majors in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. The computer science major (which is the 3rd biggest at UMW) prepares graduates to develop software such as databases, web sites, apps, games, and more. Cybersecurity has recently become an important topic as graduates help to secure systems from outside attacks. We also offer minors in computer science and cybersecurity, so you can just dip your toes into these subjects if you want to. We also have a minor in data science that combines computer coding with data analysis. Data science is becoming a really hot field too, as companies try to make sense of the mountains of data they’re collecting.
We have an active student body with four different student clubs, that put on fun events each year, including hackathons, programming contests, as well as video game and social events.
Whether you major or minor in one of these fields, you can guarantee that you will be prepared for life after UMW. Recently, our grads have all gotten jobs in their fields immediately after graduation. Many students have multiple offers to choose between in their senior year. There are also great (paid) internship and research opporuntines while still in school!
Contact: https://cas.umw.edu/computerscience/
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/computerscience/resources/advising-information-for-freshmen-and-cpsc-majors/
Looking for an activity that has successfully transitioned to the online environment? UMW Debate combines intellectual engagement, communication, argumentation, and advocacy in supportive team environment – and we have adapted to be able to participate in public exhibition debates and debate competitions ONLINE! UMW Debate is a co-curricular activity that supports the university’s mission of providing undergraduates with a broad liberal education as preparation for citizenship and career. Debate has been central to the pursuit of excellence in liberal learning for more than twenty-five hundred years. A debate education hones the skills of civic engagement and democratic participation, by enhancing communication skills, generating critical thought and reflection on the significant public issues of the day, and promoting in-depth study and rigorous research on a wide variety of complex subjects.
Contact: Adrienne Brovero, Director of Debate, abrovero@umw.edu, https://cas.umw.edu/debate/
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/debate/about-the-debate-program/interested-in-umw-debate/
Links to videos and information packets:
Highlight videos and debates can be found on the UMW Debate YouTube Playlist – https://bit.ly/2YcG8Pg
Facebook – University of Mary Washington Debate
X (formerly Twitter) – @UMWDebate
Instagram – umwdebate
Department of Communication and Digital Studies
CDS is an exciting major that provides students with the digital and communication tools that employers and graduate programs are looking for. The CDS major is very flexible and provides the opportunity to develop an expertise in a host of related areas. Students who pursue this major will develop the critical tools to study and use digital technology to effectively communicate in a dynamic new media environment. The major provides students with the means to navigate the rapidly changing nature of both communication networks and the world they live in. The coursework in this major focuses on new theoretical directions in the field of digital studies, and provides students with a dynamic understanding of how communication practices currently work through digital means and how those practices can be adapted to meet their future needs.
Contact: Anand Rao; https://cas.umw.edu/cds/; 540-654-1546
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/cds/
Department of English and Linguistics
The Department of English and Linguistics houses two popular majors: English and English with a Concentration in Creative Writing. These twelve-course majors are highly flexible and allow students to explore literature across a range of historical periods from around the globe and with particular attention to that of historically marginalized groups. These two majors also include a variety of courses in advanced writing and linguistics, making graduates impressively well-rounded when they go on the job market. The Department also house two minors (Linguistics and English Literature) and sponsors a range of special majors, most notably ones in Linguistics. Featuring a number of award-winning professors, the Department is one of the most diverse on campus.
Contact: Gary Richards, grichard@umw.edu, cell (504) 908-3446
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/elc/
Links to videos and information packets:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2015102095424601
Department of Theatre and Dance
Ours is a strong community of theatre practitioners—faculty, staff, and students—who create plays and musicals that encourage conversations with our audience. At every turn, we make an effort to teach skills that are used in the professional theatre and prepare our student fro a career beyond the university. We are also dedicated to working with all of our students to secure internships, apprenticeships, additional training, and other resources that will enhance the experience of studying with us.
Contact: Gregg Stull, gstull@umw.edu, umwtheatre.org, 540-654-1243
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/theatre/
Links to videos and information packets:
Virtual performance of Much Ado About Nothing (Spring 2020) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5VA6JgHy_4&feature=youtu.be&t=2095
UMW Theatre Viewbook – https://issuu.com/umwpublications/docs/brch_theatre_ms_0715
Department of Theatre and Dance FAQs – https://issuu.com/umwpublications/docs/faq_brochure_2016?e=1461827/65418639
UMW Theatre Production Archives – http://umwtheatre.org/archives/
Student Experience Videos: https://cas.umw.edu/theatre/prospective-students/student-experiences/
Theatre Major – https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/majors/theatre/#requirementstext
Musical Theatre Minor – https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/minors/musical-theatre/#requirementstext
Arts Administration Minor – https://catalog.umw.edu/undergraduate/minors/arts-administration/#requirementstext
Earth and Environmental Sciences
If you are passionate about the Earth and protecting its environment, and want to know more about topics such as earthquakes, volcanoes, mineral/water resources, soil science, watershed analysis, or environmental toxicology, a major in Environmental Science (Natural or Social Science Tracks), Geology, or Environmental Geology is the right choice for you!
Contact: Jodie Hayob, jhayob@umw.edu
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/ees/for-prospective-students/
Links to videos and information packets:
https://www.facebook.com/UMW-Earth-Environmental-Sciences-259585170726418
Economics is a method of analyzing human behavior in environments subject to scarcity. As such, it provides insight into a wide range of social problems and issues, including unemployment, inflation, poverty, discrimination, international trade, the environment, and the role of government in society. Click here for more information: https://cas.umw.edu/economics/virtual-orientation/
Contact: Margaret Ray, Dept. Chair- https://cas.umw.edu/economics/
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/economics/current-students/
Links to videos and information packets:
https://cas.umw.edu/economics/ https://www.instagram.com/umweconomics/ https://twitter.com/umweconomics
UMW Economics https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870715933176664/about/
Geographic Information Science Certificate (GISC)
GIS stands for Geographic Information Science
UMW’s Geography Department offers an undergraduate certificate in GIS
What is it?! GIS is the study and practice of methods used to collect, store, manage, visualize, analyze, and present spatial or geographic data.
Examples: routing school buses or delivery trucks; locating a landfill, an airport or a new restaurant; finding common environmental conditions at an Ebola outbreak; predicting locations of greatest risk during a hurricane storm surge.
A Certificate? The GIS Certificate can be taken with any major. It requires 19 credit hours of coursework, taken in four classes plus a capstone project. Each class has a practical hands-on component; the capstone is either an Internship with an agency or business, or a Directed Study under the guidance of a professor.
Why Learn GIS? Exploring data through maps is a great way to see patterns and solve problems. The “spatial analysis” field is booming – it can be applied to just about everything. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports careers that have a projected growth rate “much faster than average”. Sample job titles: Cartographer, Geographer, Geographic Information Systems Specialist (GIS Specialist), GIS Analyst (Geographic Information Systems Analyst), Photogrammetric Technician, Planner. What do they do? Collect, analyze, & interpret geographic information in order to create and update maps and charts for regional planning, education, emergency response and other purposes.
Why GIS at UMW? Our location between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA, is ideal for GIS positions; there are more jobs in the northern Virginia/DC region than anywhere else in the country. Our program is well-established, we have an open, friendly department and GREAT alumni connections, plus small class sizes, personal attention and 24/7 access to labs and software. We offer internships with state and federal agencies, local government, private and non-profit entities… and a 5-year Master of Science in Geospatial Analysis. Come join us!
Contact: Jackie Gallagher, jgallagh@umw.edu, 654-1493, https://cas.umw.edu/gis/the-gisc-certificate/
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/gis/the-gisc-certificate/
Geography is the study of the people, places and environments of our world. The Geography Department at Mary Washington values experiential learning: getting out and doing geography, whether that’s conducting undergraduate research, collecting data in the field or even taking fieldtrips on the way to an academic conference. Faculty have a track-record of involving undergraduate students in our own research, and providing opportunities for independent studies and internships. We provide a well-rounded geographic education, so we teach students to think critically and geographically about the world through a broad foundation of coursework and an array of disciplinary tools.
Contact: Jackie Gallagher, jgallagh@umw.edu, 654-1493, https://cas.umw.edu/geography/
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/geography/for-prospective-students/
The Department of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington emphasizes field experience and provides majors the unique opportunity to utilize the Fredericksburg area as a learning laboratory. While engaged in exploration of the areas cultural resources, majors also learn a series of practical skill-sets such as photographic documentation, measured drawing, and archival research to be used in conjunction with their broader UMW liberal arts education. After graduation the discipline of Historic Preservation offers the major a clear pathway to employment by providing them with a unique combination of philosophical and practical skill-sets, particularly in the area of cultural resource management (CRM).
Contact: Michael Spencer, mspen1bi@umw.edu, 540-654-1311
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/hisp/prospective-majors/
Links to videos and information packets:
https://www.facebook.com/MaryWashHISPDept/
Welcome to the Department of Mathematics! Our department provides high-quality, student-centered education in mathematics and statistics to students. We offer a B.S. degree in mathematics and minors in mathematics, applied mathematics, actuarial science, and applied statistics. We also offer a wide range of courses for majors, minors, and non-majors alike.
Contact: Julius N. Esunge jesunge@umw.edu
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/math/
Links to videos and information packets:
http://cas.umw.edu/math/files/2019/09/MajorsHandbook2019.pdf http://cas.umw.edu/math/files/2013/08/Department-of-Mathematics-Brochure.pdf
Our department is here for more than just the music majors and minors: any student is can audition to perform in the instrumental or choral ensembles, or to take private lessons, in addition to enrolling in whatever course of study might interest them. And we have music scholarships available even for non-majors. Some of our ensembles cannot operate as usual this semester, but don’t let that stop you from getting to know us and what we have available for you.
Contact: Brooks Kuykendall (jkuykend@umw.edu)
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/music/
Links to videos and information packets:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicUmw
The UMW Pre-Health Program offers academic and career advising to UMW students preparing for any of the many health-related careers, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, pharmacy, and many other allied health careers.
A comprehensive overview of the Pre-Health Program will be provided on-line sometime during the first or second week of the semester. To find out more, register with the UMW Pre-Health Program Canvas Portal by going to this URL: https://canvas.umw.edu/enroll/XGDA4J . You will be added to our email list and notified when the kickoff meeting will be presented.
Contact: Professor Stephen Gallik, sgallik@umw.edu
Website: https://canvas.umw.edu/enroll/XGDA4J
The principal goal of the psychology major at UMW is to provide students with a sound introduction to psychology as an academic discipline. You will be exposed to a variety of topics in psychology (both traditional and recent) and will gain skills in methodology and statistics. In addition, we believe that the study of psychology provides an excellent means for developing general intellectual abilities such as critical thinking and written and oral communication. However, it is important to note that the psychology major is essentially a liberal arts degree rather than a professional degree, and although we will provide you with important psychological knowledge and skills, majoring in psychology will not make you a professional psychologist. The psychology major is designed both for students who plan to do graduate training in the social sciences, and for those who will be entering the work force upon graduation. All students receive a broad background in academic psychology along with rigorous training in research techniques, statistics, and experimental methodology.
Contact: Dr. Christine McBride, Email: cmcbride@umw.edu Website: https://cas.umw.edu/psychology/
Website: https://cas.umw.edu/psychology/prospective-students/
Links to videos and information packets:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=aXNwxdr7OZE&feature=emb_logo
The Speaking Center is here to help you with all your communication needs. Our consultants provide individualized assistance to students at any stage in the speech preparation process. Need to get ready for your first presentation in college? We are ready to help! We are also well-prepared to help you adapt to presenting in an online environment. Our consultants can help you with your class presentation, group project, or other speaking-related assignment. We can also help you prepare for interviews, produce attention-getting presentation visuals, and develop effective communication practices for interpersonal, group, public speaking, and mediated communication settings.
Contact: Adrienne Brovero (Director) – abrovero@umw.edu, https://academics.umw.edu/speaking/speaking-center/
Website: https://academics.umw.edu/speaking/speaking-center/
Links to videos and information packets:
Introduction to the Speaking Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qabcAK_0XEo&