Majors, Minors, and Areas of Study Archives for Pre-Professional

Pre-Professional

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majors, minors, & areas of study

Pre-Engineering

Through pre-engineering pathways, we prepare students for graduate school in engineering or for careers in a variety of fields.

Our pathways into graduate level engineering programs at sister institutions in Virginia put UMW students at the front of the line for an advance degree. Start your studies at UMW to be ahead and be connected. From our location halfway between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA, UMW is the perfect place to tap into the technology corridor.

UMW students benefit from an optimal blend of a liberal arts education – one that builds critical thinking and communication skills – with a graduate-level expertise in one of several areas of engineering.

Areas of Study

Students interested in engineering are encouraged to pursue a bachelor’s degree in one of the traditional STEM areas, such as mathematics, physics, or computer science. Graduate pathways to George Mason University and Virginia Tech allow students to move seamlessly from their undergraduate studies to introductory graduate level coursework, in many cases through an accelerated path. The agreement with GMU offers pathways into programs in Applied Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Analytics Engineering, Operations Research, Statistics, and Systems Engineering, while our partnership with VA Tech is focused more on computer science and computer engineering. Details can be found on the CAS Website.

Career Opportunities

UMW’s pre-engineering pathway connects students with individualized career services through the campus’ Center for Career and Professional Studies, with opportunities for internships as undergraduates. A seamless pathway to graduate school expands those opportunities. Students are integrated into Northern Virginia’s technology corridor, and near Amazon’s new headquarters, which already employs countless Mason engineering and computer science graduates. And VSE’s relationships with government and industry leaders – many of whom are alumni – make this pathway even more streamlined.

Internships

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division is a top employer of UMW students pursuing careers in mathematics, computer science, physics, and engineering.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Pre-Veterinary

Help animals survive and thrive.

If you’re passionate about animals and their welfare, our program in pre-veterinary medicine may be just what you are looking for. UMW’s experienced advisors will help you plan your courses; they know what veterinary schools want in prospective students. We have an active pre-veterinary club, state-of-the-art labs, research opportunities, and partnerships with regional veterinarians who welcome students as volunteers and interns.

Career Opportunities

Follow UMW’s pre-vet alumni to top schools to become a veterinarian, or build a career in education, wildlife conservation, and other related fields.

Internships

Veterinarians in the Fredericksburg area provide internship and volunteer opportunities to UMW students. In addition there are out-of-state internships available, including many offered across the U.S. through the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Students may pursue honors in their major course of study. To receive honors in biology you must have a 3.0 grade-point average overall and 3.25 in the major. You’ll complete a research project, write an honors thesis, and deliver an oral presentation to department faculty.

Most pre-vet students pursue a biology degree, but other degrees majors work, too. Most veterinary schools require a rounded undergraduate curriculum including classes in English, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, math, and humanities.

The Department of Biology presents several scholarships and awards annually to outstanding biology majors.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Pre-Med

Doctors make a difference.

Our pre-medical program walks you through the steps it takes to become a physician, dentist, or other medical specialist. Rigorous academics – in your chosen bachelor’s program; required courses like biology, physics, and math; and extras like genetics and history – mirror the challenges of med school. Passionate professors, clinical experience at the region’s largest hospital, research, and community service will help you ace the MCAT and slide into med school.

Areas of Study

UMW’s pre-medical program includes course and clinical requirements, elective extracurricular activities, and optional research work. Students must choose a discipline in which to major and fulfill its requirements along with pre-med requirements, including courses in biology concepts, phage hunters, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, English composition, math (calculus and statistics are recommended), sociology, and psychology. Cell biology, genetics, histology, and anatomy are also recommended in preparation for the MCAT. Pre-med students must acquire, as well, a minimum of 100 hours of clinical experience at a licensed medical practice or hospital.

Career Opportunities

UMW’s pre-medical program prepares students for the MCAT and for medical schools, as well as graduate school in specialized areas, like veterinary or sports medicine. Most pre-med UMW grads go on to study at Virginia medical schools, such as VCU and Eastern Virginia School of Medicine. Depending on your chosen major, post-graduation career opportunities may include research assistant, biology teacher, clinical lab technologist, mechanical engineer, and patient services representative. Professional programs are also available in allied health care, including nuclear medicine technology, physician’s assistant training, informatics, and medicinal dosimetry.

Internships

Pre-med students must have a minimum of 100 hours of clinical experience at a licensed medical practice, clinic, or hospital, served over a minimum of two semesters. Summer opportunities are also available. Check also with the Department of Academic and Career Services.

UMW students who are accepted into and fulfill the requirements of an early selection program will be provided provisional admission to the four-year M.D. program at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Select individuals are exempt from taking the MCAT, allowing these students time to pursue other academic, clinical, and volunteer opportunities, including undergraduate research and/or study abroad.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Pre-Dental

Future dentist? Start here.

Paired with a biology – or any other – major, UMW’s pre-dental program helps you break into a lauded and often lucrative field, whether you plan to work in private practice, research, or academics. The program combines a solid core of biological science with pertinent subjects like chemistry and physics. Our partner clinics and volunteer opportunities provide the hands-on experience dental schools look for. Expert professors guide you through the complex application process with interview practice, recommendations and more.

Areas of Study

UMW students on the pre-dental track must also choose a major – most often it’s biomedical science or biochemistry, but students can target specific career goals with any of UMW’s more than 40 majors. Pair courses in chemistry and physics with a core of biological sciences, including cellular, micro, and developmental biology, plus physiology, anatomy, histology, genetics, and immunology. With UMW’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum you’ll also strengthen your knowledge in English and math, and choose from a rich array of electives.

Career Opportunities

U.S. News & World Report puts dentists at the top of its annual list of 100 Best Jobs. UMW’s pre-dental track prepares you for a successful journey through dental school and puts you on the road toward a rewarding career in private practice or in a wide range of clinical, research, and academic professions. Prepare to become a dental assistant, hygienist, or lab technician, or join our alums who’ve gone all the way, like Dr. Katherine Lambert ’18.

Internships

At UMW, students in the pre-dental program must complete at least two, preferably three, semesters of clinical experience at a licensed dental practice. These are made possible through UMW’s affiliations with Fredericksburg-area clinics. Additional summertime opportunities can be found through the College of Arts and Sciences.

Driven by the VCU School of Dentistry admissions requirements, UMW’s pre-dental program requires eight credits in general biology, 16 credits in chemistry, eight in physics, and four in biochemistry (additional biological science courses are recommended), plus a minimum of two semesters of clinical experience at a licensed dental practice or clinic.

There are many scholarship opportunities available through UMW’s Department of Biology.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Philosophy: Pre-Law

Headed for law school?

Prepare your legal mind with a major in philosophy: pre-law at the University of Mary Washington. You’ll challenge yourself with courses in logic, ethics and the legal system while testing your powers of argument through Mary Washington’s renowned mock trial and debate teams. Law firm internships, LSAT study sessions, pre-law advising and more position UMW pre-law alumni to excel at the nation’s top schools of law.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in philosophy: pre-law concentration who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in philosophy and religious studies.

Areas of Study

Many students in UMW’s pre-law program choose to major in philosophy, but even if you decide to pair your pre-law studies with another of our majors – political science or psychology, for example – you’ll still study the philosophy of ancient Greece, the early modern era, law, ethics, logic, and more.

In addition, UMW offers the “3+3 Accelerated Program” with George Mason University. It allows highly motivated students a fast track to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in six, rather than seven, years of study.

Career Opportunities

The pre-law track in philosophy prepares you for entry to law school.

Internships

The Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion offers opportunities to complete research, present at conferences, and make valuable contacts for the professional world.

To graduate with honors in philosophy, you must have at least a 3.5 grade-point average in the major. You’ll complete a research project and write and defend a senior thesis. If you choose another major to combine with pre-law, you may pursue honors in that program.

Major Requirements

The pre-law concentration requires 33 credits, made up mostly of courses in philosophy – including the philosophy of law, ancient and modern philosophy, ethics, and non-Western philosophy – as well as logic.

Minor Requirements

The pre-law concentration requires 33 credits, made up mostly of courses in philosophy and also requiring Latin, logic, and philosophy of law.

The Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion offers several scholarships and awards.