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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Communication and Digital Studies

Communication is in constant motion.

Major in communication and digital studies at the University of Mary Washington, and you’ll become adept at sharing ideas across communication platforms. Whether you’re exploring games and culture, video art, social media or graphic novels, you’ll control your own digital identity as you learn to create powerful messaging to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in communication and digital studies who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication and Digital Studies.

Areas of Study

Pair core courses in communication and digital studies with a range of electives, including Introduction to Film Studies; Games and Culture; Approaches to Video Art; Social Media; the Graphic Novel; and History of the Information Age.

Career Opportunities

This innovative bachelor’s program will prepare you for a career in advertising, marketing, communications law, and much more. Whatever you choose to pursue, you’ll develop the skills today’s employers are looking for.

See Career Paths

The communication and digital studies major requires 36 credits in two core groups – 15 credits in communication, 9 credits in digital studies – and 12 elective credits.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Marketing

Master the art of the message.

As a future marketing professional, you are the link between any product, service or idea and the consumers who need it. Major in marketing at the University of Mary Washington and you’ll master the art of effective multi-platform messaging while developing the analytical, creative and communication skills to tackle any business challenge.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in marketing who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in business administration with a major in marketing.

Areas of Study

Core business courses will give you a solid foundation for major-specific offerings including marketing research, marketing strategy, consumer behavior, negotiation, and international marketing.

Career Opportunities

Businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations are recognizing that marketing is a specialty, not an afterthought. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many marketing fields are seeing employment growth.

See Career Paths

Internships

The College of Business recognizes that internships not only help students develop academically, they contribute the real-world experience and form connections that can lead to careers after graduation. The COB maintains a list of local internships that require business and marketing knowledge.

Learn about earning academic honors for your major.

The marketing major requires 12 prerequisite credits, 30 core business credits, and 18 upper-level credits in the discipline.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Mathematics

It’s the major of possibilities.

Mathematics at the University of Mary Washington can open up almost any future you see for yourself. Mathematicians build bridges, monitor air traffic, analyze drug safety, encrypt data, program computers and more. Ground yourself in calculus, linear and abstract algebra, and real analysis, then explore what speaks most to you as you build skills to solve real-world problems.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in mathematics who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in mathematics.

Areas of Study

You’ll choose from courses in algebra, analysis, topology (modern geometry), discrete mathematics (mathematics of computer science), number theory, statistics, dynamical systems, stochastic partial differential equations (mathematical models), scientific computation (numerical analysis and simulation), and financial mathematics.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are plentiful for a mathematician trained in numerical techniques, modeling, applied analysis, and statistics. Mathematicians work in physics, chemistry, space technology, economics, business management, statistical analysis, operations research, medical research, and environmental science. Because of a strong need for secondary math educators, prospects are excellent for a dedicated and well-trained mathematician interested in teaching.

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Internships

The Fredericksburg and Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas offer many internship opportunities for undergraduate math majors. UMW students and mathematics graduates have found internships and full-time jobs with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in nearby Dahlgren, Virginia; Geico in Stafford County, Virginia; NASA; the U.S. Census Bureau; and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • Honors
  • Requirements
  • Scholarships

As a mathematics major, you may graduate with honors. Requirements include a grade-point average of 3.5 in the major (3.0 overall) and two 400-level mathematics courses. Under the supervision of an advisor, you’ll complete either a directed study or undergraduate research project. You’ll write a thesis and present it to the mathematics department.

Major Requirements

The mathematics major requires 36 credits, of which 15 must come from specified courses in calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, abstract algebra, and real analysis. Additional credits must be earned from 300- and 400-level classes. Mathematics electives or certain computer science, physics, and philosophy courses also may count toward the major.

Minor Requirements

Students from any discipline may minor in mathematics.  The mathematics minor requires 18 mathematics credits. At least 12 credits must be earned from mathematics courses at the 300 level or above. Students can also minor in applied mathematics or actuarial science.

Applied Mathematics Minor Requirements

Please review the course catalog for the applied mathematics minor requirements.

Several scholarships and honor societies are open to mathematics majors.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Theatre

Discover the power of your story.

At the University of Mary Washington, we believe the strongest path to learning theatre is by creating plays and musicals to share with an audience. Work alongside faculty, staff, and other students to build your skills, get exceptional production experience, and build a bridge from UMW to your professional career.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in theatre who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in performing arts.

What courses will I take?

UMW offers courses in all aspects of theatre, including acting, scene design, lighting design, costume design, technical production, dramatic literature, voice and body movement, dance, stage makeup, costume construction, stage management, arts administration, scene painting, fashion history, playwriting, musical theatre performance, directing, musical theatre, and stage combat.

What can I do with a performing arts degree in theatre?

Graduates can enter the professional theatre in any of the related specialties—acting, directing, design, or administration. They may pursue an extended internship or fellowship to strengthen skills and enhance their experiences. Some graduates leverage the theatre degree into related careers in education, public administration, recreation, and nonprofit management.

For a look at how Mary Washington theatre majors are pursuing their careers, check out our alumni page.

See Career Paths

How can I learn outside of class?

First and foremost, you can become a part of UMW Theatre and work onstage, backstage, or front of house in our production program. You can learn something new, do something you already love, and build from one experience to the next by working with us. Beyond campus, UMW students have served internships and been hired by a variety of arts organizations across the country, including Williamstown Theatre Festival, New York Theatre Workshop, Wolf Trap, The Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, and many other organizations. UMW Theatre has a significant student employment program where students get professional experience working in the department’s scene shop, costume shop, box office, and management office.

Our Voices

“UMW Theatre has provided me so many incredible opportunities to create and experience theatre. Almost immediately, I found my home among the theatre students, faculty, and staff as I began to participate in amazing activities in and out of class. I am a part of something that makes me proud.”

Nate Huff
Class of ’24

Our Voices

Learn about earning academic honors for your major.

Major Requirements

The theatre major requires 41 credits including core courses and electives. All theatre majors must enroll in theatre practicum each semester except during the semester of the senior project. Eight practicum credits may count toward graduation.

Minor Requirements

Twenty-four credits are required for the musical theatre minor.

The Department of Theatre & Dance offers many awards to continuing students who are active in the production program. These merit-based scholarships vary in size and award criteria.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Economics

Micro- or macro-, but constantly changing. Learn why.

How do humans react to abundance and scarcity? How do policy decisions and current events bear on people’s most personal decisions? Major in economics at the University of Mary Washington and you’ll think creatively to grasp how financial, social and government structures intersect with group and individual behavior. Go beyond micro and macro theory to build quantitative, analytical, research and communication skills for a problem-solving future.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in economics who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economics.

Areas of Study

Study micro-, macro-, industrial, environmental, health, urban and regional economics. You can take courses in the economics of social issues; government and business; money and banking; public finance; philanthropy; the  history of economics; investment analysis; poverty, affluence, and equality; and more.

Career Opportunities

With a thorough understanding of the principles of economics, you could follow UMW alums who now have such positions as president of BetaTau Enterprises, analyst for the Bureau of the Census, CEO of Animators at Law, claims investigator for Geico Insurance, accountant and trader for Sempra Energy Trading Corp., economics teacher in the Peace Corps, investment broker at A.G. Edwards & Sons, and researcher with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

See Career Paths

Internships

UMW students have benefited from internships with SunTrust Mortgage, Edward Jones Investments, the Washington Capitals, CNN’s Crossfire, Booz Allen Hamilton, the Environmental Protection Agency, Prudential Securities, the First Nations Development Institute, Paine Webber, the Virginia Credit Union, and more.

To receive departmental honors in economics you’ll need at least a 3.5 GPA in the major. You’ll complete an individual study and write and defend an honors thesis during your senior year. UMW also has a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international economics honor society.

Major Requirements

The economics major requires 39 credits, including eight core courses and five electives.

Minor Requirements

An economics minor requires 21 credits, including four core courses and three electives.

Numerous scholarships and awards are available for economics majors. Among them are the James Harvey Dodd Award for a junior economics major based on financial need and academic achievement. The Adam Smith Award is given to a graduating senior based on potential for graduate study. The Fred E. Miller Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior who is double-majoring in economics and business administration. The Richard George Allgaier Scholarship is awarded to economics and accounting majors. Learn more about economics scholarship opportunities.