understanding a liberal arts education ms. nancy l. miller office for academic and pre-professional...

Understanding a Liberal Arts Education

Ms. Nancy L. MillerOffice for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising

www.umbc.edu/orientation

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

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Advising is…A partnership between studentand advisor that supports:

• Choice of major & career

• Course selection, credit load

• Progress toward degree

• Adjustment to college/UMBC

• Academic enrichment—research, study abroad, internships

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Advisors at UMBC• Most advisors are professors in the student’s major

• Some large depts also haveprofessional 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

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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.

•

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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 MentorEvaluating Grad SchoolsImportance of InternshipsEffective ResumesPlanning for GraduationUsing Social Media Well

•

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UMBC Bachelors Degree

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Major

General Education

University Requirements

OPTIONAL Minor, Cer-tificate, Pre-Professional Courses, Electives

• 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

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East

Major

• 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

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East

General Education

Other University Requirements

To graduate, every UMBCstudent 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+

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East

Selecting Courses

Key On Line Tools:

Schedule of Classes

Undergrad Catalog

Student’s Record in myUMBC

UMBC Dept Websites

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Academic Info On LineEach student has on lineaccess to his or her own info: • Placement in

English compositionMathematics

• Class schedule• Transfer and AP/IB credit• Progress toward graduation requirements• Unofficial Transcript

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Degree Planning Tools

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“What if” Degree Audit

• Applies a student’s completed and planned courses to a new major or minor• Helps student decide on a major or a change to your major/minor

Academic “Pathways”– Brand new!

• Available for each UMBC major• Illustrates typical courses semester by semester that

would allow completion of degree in 4 years• Here’s the link: https://apps.my.umbc.edu/pathways/

Why Liberal Arts Education? CEOs surveyed by Fortune Magazine identified

“generalist” skills they look for in new college graduates:

• Critical thinking, reasoning

and analysis • Effective communication • Sound problem solving• Creativity, resourcefulness

Where do these skills come from?A broad, rigorous undergraduate education

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More 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

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Benefits of Liberal Arts Education for

Pre-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

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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 UMBCwww.umbc.edu/orientation

Transfer Student Initiative

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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

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Studying Abroad!

Internships

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Maryland Governor’s Intern ProgramUMBC Shriver Center (also Service Learning, Co Ops)

Undergraduate Research

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• 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)

Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising

Academic Services Building, Room 103Walk In Advising: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm

Call or Email for Appointments410-455-2729 arc@umbc.edu

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Advising Help After Orientation: