Step 1) Fill out the New Student Questionnaire

Step 2) Understand the term "liberal arts" and the umw degree requirements

Step 3) Understand AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and Cambridge Credit

Step 4) Understand Prerequisites & Vertically Building Coursework

Step 5) Consider Pre-Professional Interests

Step 6) Tips and other considerations when planning a schedule

Step 7) First-Year Seminar

Step 8) Choose Possible Courses

Step 9) Fill Out the Course Registration Request Form

Step 10) How to Register

Freshman Academic Planning Guide
Spring 2009

Step 2) Understand the term "liberal arts" and the umw degree requirements

The University of Mary Washington endeavors to ensure that its graduates are well-rounded individuals with a breadth of knowledge and skills that they can apply to both their professional and personal lives. It is not simply the content that is valuable in exploring different disciplines (though that is certainly very important), but the way in which students learn to approach new and different kinds information, analyze and interpret it, and proceed to apply that process to other circumstances. The purpose of a liberal arts education is to engage students and to make them independent thinkers.

The academic program at the University of Mary Washington is divided into the following:

• General Education and Across-the-Curriculum (ATC) Requirements
• Major Program Requirements
• Elective Courses

Each of these components is integral to a UMW education. We believe the Electives to be just as important as the General Education or Major requirements. Some courses will overlap requirements for General Education, ATCs and Electives.