Majors

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Question the known – and the unknown.

Challenge your cultural assumptions as you discover values and customs around the world. Spend a summer conducting fieldwork in Guyana or study abroad for a semester as you open your mind to new ways of problem-solving, communication and living together as humans. The research, writing and analysis skills you gain will equip you for success in graduate school or a variety of careers.

Degree Awarded

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

Areas of Study

As a student of Anthropology, you will have the opportunity to take courses such as Introduction to Cultural and Social Anthropology, Ethnography, Arguments in Anthropology, Anthropology of Art Practices of Memory, Ethnobotany and Anthropology & Psychology.

Career Opportunities

The strong background in what it means to be human across the globe, and throughout time, and the experiential learning opportunities you’ll gain in completing UMW’s Anthropology program will prepare you for a variety of careers. Work in marketing, advertising, diversity training, social advocacy, historic preservation, community development, communications, international development, genetics counseling, documentary film-making, government, education, you name it.

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Internships

Internship opportunities abound for UMW Anthropology majors. Snag a spot at the Micah Ecumenical Shelter, Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter, or disAbility Resource Center. Or you could gather valuable professional experience at places like Empowerhouse, Refugee Resettlement Services, the Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, Rappahannock Legal Services, the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, Rappahannock Regional Jail, the Human Rights Campaign, the U.S. Census Bureau, Downtown Greens and more.

“I’m finding my anthropology education to be quite helpful in this particular environment. Working in human services has me surrounded by people from many disciplines trying to solve the cultural problems of inequality in a very specific community, and I find I can bring a unique angle to the equation with my ‘anthro brain.’”

Rachael Sheaffer

Class of ’13
Americorps Volunteer in Raleigh, NC

Departmental honors in anthropology is centered largely on an honors thesis written under the supervision of a committee chaired by the anthropology faculty member with the greatest expertise in the student’s area of interest. During the candidate’s research, she or he must persuade the committee that the project is worthwhile, moving forward, and deserving of departmental honors.

A successful honors thesis presents an original, informed, persuasive argument based on extensive, sound, imaginative scholarship; broad knowledge of the topic and understanding of the theoretical framework within which the candidate discusses the topic; and competent writing. An honors candidate should expect to work mostly independently, with minimal guidance from the advisor(s). Ideally, a successful honors project should be publishable in a minor anthropological journal.

The Anthropology major requires 30 credit hours, including Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Ethnography, Theories of Culture, Senior Research, and Senior Seminar, plus 15 credit hours of electives in anthropology, including at least one course that includes a significant field-research component.

The Bill Hanson Memorial Scholarship
Clyde and Virginia Carter Memorial Scholarship
Amanda Elizabeth Dress ’95 Scholarship in Sociology
Cora Lee Kaufmann Scholarship in Sociology and Anthropology
Jarrett and Hazel Small Wilkins Scholarship in Social Sciences

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Stay on top of the world.

Global affairs are in constant motion, buffeted by politics, economics, religion, cults of personality, and crises both natural and manmade. Major in international affairs at the University of Mary Washington to understand this interplay of forces through an interdisciplinary lens. Hone your focus through internships, study abroad or rigorous independent research as you prepare yourself to help shape a complex world.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in international affairs who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in international affairs.

Areas of Study

The major offers classes in national security studies; international economics and business; politics of developing countries; American foreign policy; geopolitics; Eastern and Western Europe; South and East Asia; North Africa and the Middle East; and Latin America.

Career Opportunities

Graduates have forged successful careers in higher education teaching, law, nonprofit organizations, politics, government, the Peace Corps, national security, journalism, banking, and business. Many have excelled in graduate programs.

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Internships

Mary Washington’s location midway between two centers of politics — Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. – offers numerous opportunities for internships.

In the past several years, international affairs and political science majors have had internships in congressional and other governmental offices, and with the World Bank, the American Enterprise Institute, Common Cause, ABC News, and The Washington Monthly.

Students with at least a 3.4 grade-point average overall and a 3.4 GPA in the major can choose to write an honors thesis, with the permission of a thesis adviser and the department chair.

Major Requirements

The major in international affairs requires 21 credits in core classes and 15 elective credits from such disciplines as economics, geography, history, political science, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Students must take at least one (3 credit) elective in HIST. All IA support courses must be chosen from a list of electives approved by the department. To meet the language requirement, a student may complete one foreign language through the intermediate level (Except Latin or Greek). At least one Speaking Intensive (SI) and one Writing Intensive (WI) must be among the 36 credits in the major program.

Minor Requirements

UMW offers a minor in security and conflict studies. The minor requires 18 credits including selected classes in political science, international affairs, and history. A three-credit internship may count as an elective with the approval of the minor program director. You’ll also write a three-credit senior thesis on an aspect of security and conflict studies.

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Ready to change the world?

Software developers and analysts find innovative solutions to complex problems in science, medicine, art, music, mathematics and more. Major in computer science at the University of Mary Washington and you’ll explore what’s possible in a program that melds theory, application, technique and design. Conduct meaningful research, serve an internship, pursue a minor in data science, create something wholly original – it’s all open to you here.

Degree Awarded

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

Areas of Study

The bachelor’s program in computer science offers an array of courses, including object-oriented design, databases, computer ethics, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, game programming, data mining, software engineering, and more.

Career Opportunities

U.S. News & World Report ranks jobs in computing among the best in the country. A bachelor’s degree in computer science will prepare you for a career as a software developer, database administrator, computer hardware engineer, database administrator, systems analyst, network architect, Web developer, security analyst, computer programmer, and more.

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Internships

Internships allow qualified students to earn academic credit, gain real-world experience, and boost their resumes by working at technical firms, government offices, or software development agencies. Companies that have sponsored recent student internships include Microsoft, IBM, NASA, RSA, Federal Reserve Bank, US Department of Health & Human Services, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE, and Northrop Grumman.

To earn honors in computer science, students who meet GPA and course prerequisites can undertake individual study under the direction of a department member.

Major Requirements

UMW’s major in computer science requires 46 credits, including multiple core courses in computer science, as well as electives in areas such as cybersecurity, machine learning and game programming.

Minor Requirements

The minor builds strong programming and problem-solving skills, and is particularly useful when combined with a major in any of the sciences, mathematics, business, economics, linguistics, or geography.

Computer science majors can apply for several scholarships and awards.

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

How do we govern ourselves?

As a political science major at the University of Mary Washington, you’re positioned for politics – in Fredericksburg, halfway between the capital cities of Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. You’ll transform classroom knowledge into professional accomplishment at the local, state or national level and graduate ready to help shape a complex world.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in political science who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in political science.

Areas of Study

Learn how political systems function through courses ranging from U.S. government to international politics. Choose from courses covering the American presidency, the U.S. federal judiciary, political parties and elections, foreign policy, comparative governments, international relations, politics of developing countries, theory and practice of revolution, gender and politics, mass media politics, and more.

Career Opportunities

Political science is an ideal start for a career in law, urban planning, teaching, government, and private enterprise. Our political science alumni win Fulbright Scholarships, get published in peer-reviewed journals, work for presidential campaigns and at the highest levels of local, state, and national government, and go to well-regarded graduate schools. To see where our graduates have landed, visit careers.

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Internships

UMW students have had internships in many congressional and other governmental offices in Washington, D.C., Richmond, and Fredericksburg, and at such organizations as the World Bank, the American Enterprise Institute, Common Cause, ABC News, and Washington Monthly. Students in this major have an internship placement rate of 100 percent.

To graduate with honors, you’ll maintain at least a 3.4 grade-point average overall and in the major. You’ll conduct an independent study and write and defend an honors thesis. Some recent examples: “Counterinsurgency in the Philippines,” “The Shining Path in Peru,” “Independent Peace Movements in Eastern Europe,” “The Latin American Debt Crisis,” and “Conservatism in America.”

Major Requirements

The political science major requires 36 credits including introductory courses and at least one writing-intensive class. You’ll choose additional courses from the fields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, and you’ll pursue your interests in-depth through departmental electives.

Minor Requirements

The Department of Political Science and International Affairs offers a minor in security and conflict studies.

Scholarships are available specifically for political science majors, but you can also apply for numerous scholarships available to students in all majors.

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Span the ages and circle the globe.

Study history at the University of Mary Washington, and you’ll explore the story of civilizations and individuals, learning what the past can show us about our forebears and ourselves. Based in history-rich Fredericksburg, you’ll have access to the museums, archives and libraries of Washington and Richmond. Expand your perspective through internships and study-abroad opportunities while building your research, analytical and explanatory skills for a problem-solving future.

Degree Awarded

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

Areas of Study

The history curriculum offers courses from ancient to modern times in the Americas and around the world. The major is distinctive for courses that develop critical judgment, including first-year seminars, a skills-based methods course, in-depth senior seminars, and a senior-level historical research project built on primary sources and developed with a faculty member.

Career Opportunities

UMW history majors graduate with skills in research, analysis, writing, public speaking, and digital media. Recent UMW history graduates have found careers as a PBS programmer, a museum curator, an online writer, a business owner, a high school teacher, a government contractor and a historian. Graduates may find work in media, government and government contracting, national parks, education, law and law enforcement, community service, business and more. Many earn advanced degrees in history and other fields.

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Internships

UMW is in history-rich Fredericksburg and an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, making our campus an excellent base for a history-focused internship. UMW students have found internships with the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico, the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Mount Vernon, and regional museums.

To be considered for honors in history at graduation, you must have at least a 3.5 grade-point average in the major and must research, write, submit, and defend a historical paper before a faculty panel.

Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary society, offers opportunities to participate in social and educational activities.

Major

The history major requires 36 credits including survey courses, electives at the 200 level or higher, and electives at the 400 level. Internships are encouraged and may receive academic credit at the discretion of the department chair.

Minor

Please review the course catalog for minor requirements.

Global History Minor

The global history minor requires 21-24 credits, including a global history foundation course, several electives and a one-semester study abroad program or internship in a relevant field.

The department awards five scholarships annually through competitive application for history and American studies majors.