Understanding a Liberal Arts Education
Ms. Nancy L. Miller
Office 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
www.umbc.edu/orientation
Advising is…
A partnership between student
and advisor that supports:
• Choice of major & career
• Course selection, credit load
• Progress toward degree
• Adjustment to college/UMBC
• Academic enrichment—research, study
abroad, internships
www.umbc.edu/orientation
Advisors at UMBC
• Most advisors are professors
in the student’s major
• Some large depts also have
professional 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 emails 5-6 times each semester
• E-mail leads to a site where timely topics are
presented:
How to Find a Mentor
Evaluating Grad Schools
Importance of Internships
Effective Resumes
Planning for Graduation
Using Social Media Well
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UMBC Bachelors Degree
Major
General Education
University Requirements
OPTIONAL Minor,
Certificate, PreProfessional Courses,
Electives
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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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• 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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To graduate, every UMBC
student 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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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 Line
Each student has on line
access to his or her own info:
• Placement in
English composition
Mathematics
• Class schedule
• Transfer and AP/IB credit
• Progress toward graduation requirements
• Unofficial Transcript
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Degree Planning Tools
“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/
www.umbc.edu/orientation
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
www.umbc.edu/orientation
More Benefits of a
Liberal 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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www.umbc.edu/orientation
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 UMBC
www.umbc.edu/orientation
Transfer Student Initiative
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!
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Internships
Maryland Governor’s Intern Program
UMBC Shriver Center
(also Service Learning, Co Ops)
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Undergraduate Research
• 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)
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Advising Help After Orientation:
Office for Academic &
Pre-Professional Advising
Academic Services Building, Room 103
Walk In Advising: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm
Call or Email for Appointments
410-455-2729
arc@umbc.edu
www.umbc.edu/orientation