Understanding a Liberal Arts Education

1. Understanding a Liberal Arts Education Ms. Ericka Thompson Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising www.umbc.edu/orientation

2. Topics Welcome, Parents & Family Members! • Why is Academic Advising Important? • Components of the UMBC Degree • Value of a Liberal Arts Education • Special Opportunities at UMBC www.umbc.edu/orientation

3. Advising is… A partnership between student and advisor that supports: • Choice of major & career • Course selection, credit load • Progress toward degree • Adjustment to college/UMBC • Academic enrichment—research, study abroad, internships www.umbc.edu/orientation

4. Advisors at UMBC • Most advisors are professors in the student’s major • Some large depts also have professional advisors (Psychology, Engineering, Biology) • Exploratory students (no declared major) advised in the Office for Academic Advising • Specialized advising for pre-health professions, Honors College, athletes, students in academic difficulty, intl. students www.umbc.edu/orientation

5. What Parents Need to Know about Advising • Every student is required to meet with an advisor every semester.The student makes the appointment! • Students who do not find their initial advisor helpful may request a new advisor. • Students are encouraged to talk to more than one advisor. • Students who use the advising system make better decisions, graduate sooner. www.umbc.edu/orientation

6. UMBC Extra Credit • Helps students stay on track to graduation and beyond • Students receive brief, attention-grabbing e-mails 5-6 times each semester • E-mail leads to a site where timely topics are presented: How to Find a Mentor Evaluating Grad Schools Importance of Internships Effective Resumes Planning for Graduation Using Social Media Well www.umbc.edu/orientation

7. UMBC Bachelors Degree www.umbc.edu/orientation

8. Major • UMBC offers 45 majors! • Depth in one area • Requires from 30-80+ credits • Pre-professional study (pre-med, pre-law) is not an academic major • Recommend declare major by ~45 credits, sooner if ready • Interdisciplinary studies = design your own major www.umbc.edu/orientation

9. General Education • English Composition • 1 “Writing Intensive” course • Arts & Humanities (3 courses) • Social Sciences (3 courses) • Math (1 college level course) • Science (2 courses, at least one with lab) • Global Cultures (1-2 courses) • Foreign language proficiency at the intermediate level www.umbc.edu/orientation

10. Other University Requirements To graduate, every UMBC student must complete: • At least 120 academic credits • At least 45 credits in 300 & 400 level courses (junior/senior level) • At least 30 credits at UMBC • Two Physical Education courses • A UMBC Grade Point Average of 2.0+ www.umbc.edu/orientation

11. SelectingCourses Key On Line Tools: Schedule of Classes Undergrad Catalog Student’s Record in myUMBC UMBC Dept Websites www.umbc.edu/orientation

12. Academic Info On Line Each student has on line access to his or her own info: • Placement in English composition Mathematics • Class schedule • Transfer and AP/IB credit • Progress toward graduation requirements • Unofficial Transcript www.umbc.edu/orientation

13. Benefits of aLiberal Arts Foundation • Informed citizenship • Flexibility of career choice • Ability to integrate information • Cultural literacy • Explore multiple areas of interest • Avoid narrow, technical education • Function in a global, multi-cultural society • Develop talents in the arts www.umbc.edu/orientation

14. Benefits of Liberal Arts Education forPre-Professional Students • Medical & law schools are interested in students with non-traditional majors and minors who bring something “extra” • A broad liberal arts education: • Gives a competitive edge in admissions • Helps prepare for “Plan B” • Increases effectiveness in the profession--broader perspective and wider range of skills www.umbc.edu/orientation

15. First Year Experiences “My first year seminar course exposed me to the tools of success for college. It has allowed me to become connected, integrated, and involved in the UMBC community.” --Kristopher de la Cruz First Year Seminars (3 cr.) Intro to an Honors Univ(1 cr.) Transfer Student Seminars (1-2 cr.) Note: First Year courses may be taken during the 1st or 2nd semester at UMBC www.umbc.edu/orientation

16. Transfer Student Initiative Transfer students from Maryland community colleges may be able to use credits earned at UMBC to complete their Associate of Arts degrees. More Info: REVERSEAWARD.UMBC.EDU www.umbc.edu/orientation

17. Studying Abroad! www.umbc.edu/orientation

18. Internships Maryland Governor’s Intern Program UMBC Shriver Center (also Service Learning, Co Ops) www.umbc.edu/orientation

19. Undergraduate Research • Undergraduate Research • and Creative • Achievement Day • Undergraduate Research Awards ($ to support research) • Research opportunities in academic departments and labs • Summer lab placements in universities, agencies (e.g., Johns Hopkins University, NIH, MIT) • MARC program (Minority Access to Research Careers) www.umbc.edu/orientation

20. Advising Help After Orientation: Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising Academic Services Building, Room 103 Walk In Advising: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm Call or Email for Appointments 410-455-2729 arc@umbc.edu www.umbc.edu/orientation