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Contents
Personnel Directory .................................................................................................................................................... 3
General Policies and Procedures ................................................................................................................................ 5
Official Schedule & Dates .................................................................................................................................. 5
Schedule for Mid-Term Progress Reports ......................................................................................................... 6
General Academic Advisor Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 7
EAB Navigate ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Degree Works .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Advising Students with a GPA Below 2.0 ......................................................................................................... 13
Transfer Student Advising ............................................................................................................................... 17
Special Population Advising ...................................................................................................................................... 19
First-Year (FSEM) Advising ............................................................................................................................... 19
Honors Scholars ............................................................................................................................................... 24
International Students ..................................................................................................................................... 26
Nursing ............................................................................................................................................................ 27
Pre Health Student Program ........................................................................................................................... 28
Student Athletes .............................................................................................................................................. 29
Student Transition Program (STP) ................................................................................................................... 30
Support Students with Disabilities – ODR ....................................................................................................... 32
BLS – Bachelor of Liberal Studies .................................................................................................................... 34
Advising Upper-Class Students ................................................................................................................................. 36
Application to Graduate .................................................................................................................................. 36
Undergraduate Degree Program Advising ................................................................................................................ 37
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) .................................................................................................................. 37
College of Business (COB) ................................................................................................................................ 37
College of Education (COE) .............................................................................................................................. 39
Glossary of Forms & Documents .............................................................................................................................. 41
Course Change Request Form ......................................................................................................................... 41
Course Withdrawal Request Form .................................................................................................................. 41
Major/Minor Declaration (this is now a link to the Dynamic Forms) ............................................................. 41
Full Semester Withdrawal ............................................................................................................................... 41
Academic Services General Request Form ...................................................................................................... 41
Disability Resources – Campus Resources....................................................................................................... 41
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Personnel Directory
Janet M. Atarthi-Dugan ~ Director of Nursing Program
Ana G. Chichester ~ Director of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies Program
Kristen Fairbanks ~ Associate Director of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies Program
Jessica Machado ~ Director of Disability Resources
Phone: 540-654-1266 – Email: jmachado@umw.edu
Caitlin Moore ~ Assistant Athletic Director/SWA/Assistant Department Chair
Adrienne Brovero ~ Director of the Speaking Center
Phone: 540-654-2128 – Email: abrovero@umw.edu
Jose A. Sainz ~ Director of Center for International Education
Phone: 540-654-1261 – Email: jsainz@umw.edu
Mara Scanlon ~ Professor and Honors Program Associate Director
Phone: 540-654-1544 – Email: mscanlon@umw.edu
Kelli Slunt ~ Professor and Honors Program Director
Justin Wilkes ~ Director of Student Transition Program
April Wynn ~ Assistant Professor and Faculty Director of the First-Year Experience
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University Registrar Office
Rita Dunston ~ Registrar – Phone: 540-654-1063 – Email: rduns[email protected]du
Kevin Caffrey ~ Senior Associate Registrar – Phone: 540-286-8008 – Email: kcaffre[email protected]
Brian Ogle ~ Associate Registrar for Student Systems – Phone: 540-654-1258 – Email: bogle5vu@umw.edu
Angie Lynch ~ Associate Registrar for Administration and Enrollment – Email: [email protected]du
Sharon Williams ~ Assistant Reg. for Degree Audit – Phone: 540-654-1255 – Email: swilli28@umw.edu
Takera Zajac ~ Assistant Reg. for Academic Success – Phone: 540-654-1259 – Email: tgreen4@umw.edu
Patricia Sarkuti ~Transfer Credit Coordinator – Phone: 540-654-2140 – Email: [email protected]u
Mary White ~ Enrollment Services Assistant – Phone: 540-654-1063 – Email: mwhite@umw.edu
Jennifer Smith ~ Student Support Specialist – Phone: 540-654-1549 – Email: jsmith3[email protected]
Academic Services Office
Wes Hillyard ~ Director of Academic Services – Phone: 540-654-1264 – Email: [email protected]du
Charles Tate ~ Director of Transfer Advising – Phone: 540-654-1675 – Email: [email protected]
Jennifer Cirbus ~ Student Support Services and Tutoring Coordinator
H. Brian Strecker ~ Probation and Suspension Support Coordinator
Phone: 540-654-1272 – Email: hstrecker@umw.edu
Anna Hollrah ~ Program Support Technician – Phone: 540-654-1010 – Email: abarton@umw.edu
Allison Smith ~ Front Desk Assistant – Phone: 540-654-1010 – Email: asm[email protected]
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General Policies and Procedures
Official Schedule & Dates
The academic calendar for the fall, spring, and summer semesters is available online in the Academic
Catalog. This information is updated annually by the Provost’s office. It is important that all academic
advisors understand the academic calendar and communicate deadline information to advisees. EAB
Navigate is a helpful tool for sending text and email messages to advisees as communication is logged for
future reference.
Please be sure that you are familiar with the following calendar terms so that you can guide your
advisees. Please contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions.
Final day to ADD a course = this date references the last day that students can add a course to their
schedule for the respective term by 5pm. After the add date, students will need approval from the Office of
Academic Services for late course additions. Please have the student complete the Course Change Request
Form, and take the form to Academic Services to request a review.
Final day to DROP a course = this date references the last day for students to drop a course from the
respective term by 5pm. When a course is dropped, it will be removed completely from the transcript and
does not count as attempted credit. Depending on the refund schedule with the Office of Student
Accounts, students may be eligible for tuition reimbursement. If a student wishes to drop a course after the
deadline, approval is required from the Office of Academic Services. The student needs to complete the
Course Change Request Form, and then take the form to Academic Services to request a review. Before
dropping a course, students should confirm that they will not drop below 12 credits if they live on
campus, are a student athlete, or need to remain full-time for other purposes.
Final day to WITHDRAW FROM AN INDIVIDUAL COURSE = this date references the last day for
students to withdraw from an individual course at 5pm. A withdraw will update the student’s course grade
to “W” for the term and the attempt will not count towards the student’s GPA or a course attempt for
retake purposes; however, withdrawn courses do count as attempted credits for financial aid purposes. If a
student wishes to withdraw from a course after the deadline, approval is required from the Office of
Academic Services. Please complete the Course Withdrawal Request Form, sign as the advisor, and have
the student take the form to Academic Services to request a review. Before dropping a course, students
should confirm that they will not drop below 12 credits if they live on campus, are a student athlete, or
need to remain full-time for other purposes.
Final day to WITHDRAW FROM THE TERM = this date references the last day students can withdraw
from the entire term, meaning they would receive a “W” in all classes for the respective term. Students
must complete this process if/when they withdraw from their final course in the term. Please direct
students to the Office of the Registrar for the full-semester Student Withdrawal form.
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Schedule for Mid-Term Progress Reports
In the middle of each semester, students are notified by the Office of the Registrar if their performance
in a course is reported to be unsatisfactory (“U”). Although the report is neither entered on a student’s
permanent record nor sent to parents or guardians, mid-semester unsatisfactory reports are posted in
Banner and sent to advisors. Because a “U” is a warning that significant improvement is needed, the
student should consult instructors, advisors, or the Office of Academic Services for assistance.
Academic advisors will be notified of any advisees who receive a mid-semester “U” grade in one or more
courses and should contact advisees to schedule a meeting prior to the individual course withdraw date to
discuss progress and withdraw options. Please document any follow up communication in EAB Navigate
for future reference.
Fall 2021 Mid-semester Deficiency Reports due Friday, October 15th @ 10:00am
Spring 2022 Mid-semester Deficiency Reports due Friday, March 11th @ 10:00am
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General Academic Advisor Responsibilities
The following responsibilities fall to a student’s assigned academic advisor. As an academic advisor, it is
your responsibility to:
Review your list of assigned advisees in Banner and EAB Navigate at the start of every fall and spring
term to ensure accuracy. If there are errors on your list, communicate them to your department
chair (for major advisees) or to Academic Services (for non-declared students).
Attend required faculty advisor trainings offered at the start of the fall semester.
Utilize EAB Navigate to schedule sufficient advising appointment availability during or before the
standard two-week advising period in October or March.
Hold an advising meeting with each assigned advisee a minimum of once per semester prior to
advanced registration - meetings include reviewing an updated transcript and degree evaluation
with each advisee.
Enter an advising appointment summary note in EAB Navigate (required for all undeclared advisees
and strongly encouraged for major advisees) to document the main points discussed during the
meeting, intended major/graduation plans, and courses selected for the subsequent term.
If applicable, remove the “advising hold” for fall and spring advanced registration following the
advising meeting.
Provide support for advisees who fall below a 2.0 GPA and in coordination with the required
programming from Academic Services, facilitate an advising meeting to discuss Academic Warning
and Probation.
Hold required office hours and publicize office hours to advisees each semester.
Be regularly available via email to respond to communication and questions from advisees during
the academic semester.
And, when applicable, coordinate with your department chair to reassign all advisees during periods
of sabbatical before the end of the fall or spring semester immediately prior to sabbatical.
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EAB Navigate
EAB Navigate functions primarily as an advising platform to assist advisor and faculty interaction with
students. This system accommodates the inclusion of your office hours and allows you to make yourself
available to students for appointments. Specifically, the Campaign feature facilitates direct outreach to
students during the pre-registration advising period in order for them to make an appointment with you.
Notes from your advising meeting can then be entered into the system as an “appointment summary” or a
“report on appointment” which will serve as part of the student’s official advising record. These notes
become especially beneficial should the student change advisors or find him or herself facing Probation or
Suspension and need additional advising support.
Step-by-step instructions for the following EAB Navigate resources can be found on the academic
services website under the EAB Navigate Resources tab for:
How to Enter Campaign Availability and Run a Campaign
o All about sending specific students an email to schedule an appointment with you, this is
ideal for registration advising.
Adding Appointment Summaries & Reporting on Appointments
o If you are meeting with a student who has schedule through a Campaign or an Appointment
(as opposed to a Drop/Walk-In), then it is BEST PRACTICE and STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
that you add an appointment summary.
Sync Outlook with EAB Calendar
o Designed to help in safeguarding your time so you are not double booking yourself
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Degree Works
Effective Spring 2018, UMW has adopted a new degree evaluation tool, Degree Works, and will phase-
out use of the legacy system (CAPP). Degree Works will fully replace CAPP as the University’s degree
evaluation tool as remaining students from prior cohorts graduate.
In addition to an updated degree evaluation display and improved audit processor, Degree Works offers
several student planning tools which enhance the registration advising and student registration processes.
Key Features
Degree Evaluations with Planned Courses Functionality
What-if Analysis with Planned Courses Functionality
Student Planner with Student Registration Functionality
GPA Calculator Tools
Which System Should I Use for My Advisee?
All undeclared students are mapped to Degree Works, and should no longer use CAPP to generate
degree evaluations or what-if analysis.
Declared students are mapped to degree evaluation systems based on their Catalog Term.
Degree Works – students with a declared major with Fall 2017 Catalog Term or later.
CAPP – students with a declared major with Catalog Term prior to Fall 2017.
The Catalog Term is visible on the Advising Profile in SSB Faculty Services:
SSB >> Faculty Services >> Advising Student Profile >> Advisee Search
How Do I Access CAPP and Degree Works?
Both degree evaluation tools are accessible through the Advising Student Profile:
SSB >> Faculty Services >> Advising Student Profile >> Advisee Search
How to Generate Degree Evaluations
From the Advising Student Profile, the “Degree Works Evaluation” link will open the degree
evaluation for the selected student.
Advisors may also search for students using the FIND button. On the Find Menu, search for
individual students (Student ID #, or Last and First Name), or find all students matching selected
criteria.
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Enter the criteria and “Search.” The search results are displayed; verify the students are checked,
and select “OK” to load degree evaluations.
The student evaluation(s) are generated. For searches with multiple students selected, navigate to
the appropriate student using the drop-down menu at top of the page.
Note on Evaluations for Double Majors
Double majors have a primary and secondary major. The primary major is always displayed first in
Degree Works.
Double majors where both majors lead to the same degree (B.A. or B.S.) have one evaluation with
both major requirements displayed.
For double majors leading to different degrees (B.A. and B.S.) a separate evaluation is generated for
each major; toggle between evaluations using the Degree drop-down menu at the top of the page
REMINDER: Students with two majors are awarded one degree. Students with majors leading to a B.A. and
B.S. are given the option of which degree they will earn during their final semester. Contact the Office of
the Registrar with questions regarding this policy.
Reviewing the Degree Evaluation
The degree evaluation displays all degree requirements, beginning with the degree summary block
and degree progress bar. Degree requirements are marked according to the Legend at the bottom
of the page.
The degree summary block lists the requirement areas of the student’s degree program.
Requirements which are not complete appear as links; select the area to see more detail on the
requirements.
Within a requirement area, “Still Needed Advice” is displayed for all incomplete requirements.
Courses fulfilling the missing requirement appear as links; click the course link to view the course
description and any scheduled sections of that course in a new window.
Courses which do not fulfill any degree requirements are listed in the Insufficient Courses block
(typically these are failed, withdrawn, or repeated courses, but also include courses taken beyond
the limits of what may be applied to a student’s degree).
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Course Placement on the Degree Works Evaluation
The Degree Works evaluation software uses an algorithm that attempts to maximize the fulfillment of
degree requirements within the limits established by academic policy. Common reasons a course does not
fall where a student expects:
Course Sharing Limits - except for across-the-curriculum intensives, courses may only be applied to
one general education requirement; 3 courses may be shared between majors; 2 courses between a
major and a minor, or between two minors.
Grade Mode - courses taken in standard grade mode (A-F) can apply anywhere; courses taken pass-
fail can only count in the Experiential Learning requirement or as electives.
In rare situations a course is misplaced and a manual adjustment can be made by Registrar staff to override
the software.
Evaluation Display Options, Class History, and Saving PDFs
The evaluation can be displayed in two formats:
Degree Audit View – lists all degree requirements including completed requirements
Courses Still Needed View – filters out completed requirements to show only missing requirements
The Degree Audit View can be printed or saved as a PDF. Note: the Save as PDF feature does not work
properly when using the Google Chrome browser.
The Class History link displays all of the student’s completed and in-progress course work. This list should
not be used in place of the academic transcript.
View Past Degree Evaluations
Advisors and students have access to see “frozen” historical degree evaluations saved by the Registrar’s
Office. The historical evaluation can be viewed in the Degree Audit or Courses Still Needed views.
Select the desired evaluation format, and the historic report, and select View. The historical evaluation
can also be saved as a PDF.
Look Ahead Tool
The Look Ahead tool allows students and advisors to test how one or more courses would apply
towards a student’s degree requirements.
Add courses to consider, then “Process New” evaluation. Links to the University Catalog are provided as
a reference.
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The evaluation displays planned courses in blue, with a course status of “PLAN.” A drop-down menu of
the planned courses is available for reference.
Generate What-If Evaluations
Use the what-if evaluation to:
Explore primary major, minor, or second major and minor requirements
Include planned courses in the what-if analysis
Generate a PDF of the what-if evaluation
GPA Calculator Tool
Three GPA calculators are available to assist with projecting overall GPAs.
Graduation Calculator – determine how to achieve a desired GPA given the number of credits
remaining in a degree program
Term Calculator – enter projected grades for courses in a term to determine impact to overall GPA
Advice Calculator – enter desired GPA to determine how many credits with grade of A are needed to
achieve that GPA
NOTE: The GPA calculators are for estimation purposes. They do not account for repeated courses (i.e.,
courses excluded from the GPA calculation after being repeated).
Who Should I Contact with Degree Evaluation Questions?
Brian Ogle: Associate Registrar for Student Systems
[email protected] (540) 654-1258
Kevin Caffrey: Senior Associate Registrar
[email protected] (540) 286-8008
You may also contact the UMW Helpdesk for assistance. The Helpdesk can open issue tickets for Registrar
staff to follow up if the issue cannot be resolved immediately.
[email protected] (540) 654-2255
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Advising Students with a GPA Below 2.0
Academic Warning
The first time a student’s Overall Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 2.00, that
student is placed on Academic Warning.
One instance of Academic Warning is permitted in a student’s undergraduate career.
If with the close of the semester immediately after being placed on Academic Warning (referred to
as the warning semester) the Overall Cumulative GPA is not raised to a minimum of 2.00, the
student is then placed on Academic Probation.
At the beginning of the warning semester, all students placed on Academic Warning are required to
attend an Academic Warning Workshop, offered through the Office of Academic Services.
Advising during the period of Academic Warning is the responsibility of the student’s Academic
Advisor of record.
At the beginning of the warning semester, advisors are encouraged to run campaigns in EAB to
invite their advisees placed on Academic Warning to individual Academic Warning strategy advising
sessions.
As strategies are developed to help students avoid Academic Probation, the course retake policy
should be considered
At key points during the warning semester, such as just prior to the drop and withdrawal deadlines
of the semester, advisors are encouraged to run campaigns in EAB and invite their advisees who are
placed on Academic Warning to attend an Academic Warning progress advising session.
Students should come to an Academic Warning progress advising session prepared to discuss their
current course grades. During the Academic Warning progress advising session, a GPA calculator
could be used to project what overall cumulative GPA could be expected if the student were to earn
the reported current course grades as final grades for the courses. This exercise can be quite
helpful in demonstrating actual progress to the student, where the strengths and weaknesses of the
semester exist, and whether the student might benefit from dropping any courses, withdrawing
from any courses or, in extreme circumstances, fully withdrawing from the semester.
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Probation
If, after a student has been placed on Academic Warning, the Overall Cumulative GPA remains
below 2.00, the student will be placed on Academic Probation.
A student in Good Academic Standing who had previously been placed on Academic Warning,
whose Overall Cumulative GPA again falls below 2.00 will also be placed on Academic Probation.
Students may experience unlimited occurrences of Academic Probation.
Students on Academic Probation are required to schedule a Probation Advising Session with an
academic advisor with the Office of Academic Services.
The purpose of the Probation Advising Session is to develop a strategy to assist the student to avoid
First Suspension, Second Suspension, or Dismissal with the close of the probation semester (referred
to as the probationary period). Ideally, this strategy is intended to assist the student to work out of
Academic Probation altogether with the close of the probationary period. The course retake policy
will be considered for this strategy
Additional advising during the probationary period is, however, the responsibility of the student’s
academic advisor of record.
Reference the Overall Field on the student’s academic transcript (located just above the student’s
most current course registrations Attempt Hours column) to determine the student’s current overall
attempted hours. Add to this number the additional attempted hours for which the student is
currently registered.
The minimum overall cumulative GPA required to avoid First Suspension, Second Suspension, or
Dismissal is based upon specific ranges of attempted hours of record. Note that withdrawn courses
are attempted hours; dropped courses are not attempted hours.
To reference the minimum overall cumulative GPA required to avoid First Suspension, Second
Suspension, or Dismissal for specific ranges of attempted hours of record, click on the following link
to the online Undergraduate Catalog, and scroll down to the attempted hours/minimum required
Overall Cumulative GPA chart
At key points during the probationary period, such as just prior to the drop and withdrawal
deadlines of the semester, advisors are encouraged to run campaigns in EAB, to invite their advisees
placed on Academic Probation to Academic Probation progress advising sessions.
Students should come to an Academic Probation progress advising session prepared to discuss their
current course grades. During the Academic Probation progress advising session, a GPA calculator
could be used to project what overall cumulative GPA could be expected if the student were to earn
the reported current course grades as final grades for the courses. This exercise can be quite
helpful in demonstrating actual progress to the student, where the strengths and weaknesses of the
semester exist, and whether the student might benefit from dropping any courses, withdrawing
from any courses or, in extreme circumstances, fully withdrawing from the semester.
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First/Second Suspension
If with the close of a probationary period a student who has never realized Suspension does not
earn the minimum overall cumulative GPA required to avoid Suspension, that student will realize
First Suspension.
Students are permitted one occurrence of First Suspension in their UMW undergraduate academic
careers.
First Suspension requires the student to “sit out” the next consecutive semester.
Advising students serving First Suspension is the responsibility of the Office of Academic Services.
A student who has realized First Suspension may seek approval from the Office of Academic
Services to transfer up to two courses completed elsewhere during the period of First Suspension.
For any course to be eligible for transfer to UMW a minimum final grade of “C” must be earned. A
final grade earned in a course completed elsewhere is not included in the calculation of a student’s
UMW GPA. Transferred courses will increase a student’s attempted hours of record.
A student who realizes First Suspension with the close of a spring semester may seek approval from
the Office of Academic Services to complete UMW summer courses. If with the close of the
summer term the student’s overall cumulative GPA rises to the minimum required GPA to reinstate
from First Suspension, then the student may petition the Office of the Registrar to register for fall
semester courses.
A student who realizes First Suspension is offered a limited period of time during which an appeal to
Suspension may be submitted. If the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) approves an appeal to
First Suspension, the student is not required to “sit out” the next consecutive semester. An
approved appeal will not remove reference to “First Suspension” from the student’s UMW
transcript.
If any time after First Suspension has been realized a student with an Academic Standing of
“Probation”, “First Suspension”, or “Reinstated from First Suspension” does not earn the minimum
overall cumulative GPA required to again avoid Suspension, that student will realize Second
Suspension.
Students are permitted one occurrence of Second Suspension in their UMW undergraduate
academic careers.
Second Suspension requires the student to “sit out” the next two consecutive semesters (one full
academic year).
Advising students serving Second Suspension is the responsibility of the Office of Academic Services.
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A student who has realized Second Suspension may seek approval from the Office of Academic
Services to transfer up to two courses completed elsewhere during the period of Second
Suspension.
For any course to be eligible for transfer to UMW a minimum final grade of “C” must be earned. A
final grade earned in a course completed elsewhere is not included in the calculation of a student’s
UMW GPA. Transferred courses will increase a student’s attempted hours of record.
A student serving Second Suspension is generally not approved to complete UMW summer courses
during the period of Second Suspension.
A student who realizes Second Suspension is offered a limited period of time during which an
appeal to Suspension may be submitted. If the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) approves an
appeal to Second Suspension, the student is not required to “sit out” the next two consecutive
semesters. An approved appeal will not remove reference to “Second Suspension” from the
student’s UMW transcript.
A student with an Academic Standing of “First Suspension”, “Reinstated from First Suspension”,
“Second Suspension”, or “Reinstated from Second Suspension” will be assigned an Academic
Advisor from the Office of Academic Services. The name of this assigned Advisor will be added to
the student’s record in Banner.
Dismissal
If any time after Second Suspension has been realized a student with an Academic Standing of
“Probation”, “Second Suspension” or “Reinstated from Second Suspension” does not earn the
minimum overall cumulative GPA required to avoid Dismissal, that student will realize Academic
Dismissal.
A student who has realized Academic Dismissal is not eligible to earn a UMW bachelor degree.
Any student who has realized Academic Dismissal who inquires about potential options for
reinstatement from Academic Dismissal in order to earn a UMW bachelor degree should be referred
to the Office of Academic Services.
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Transfer Student Advising
While UMW is in many ways a traditional, residential liberal arts and sciences university, over the last
generation our transfer student population has increased to the point that more than 25% of UMW
students are transfer students. This trend is being played about across the country. Data from the National
Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that over 37% of college students will transfer at least once
within six years. Transfer students present unique situations and, along with covering traditional advising
topics and situations, the advisor must look for the “question behind the question” or the “the question the
student should be asking” but does not have the vocabulary to ask at that moment. These students have
attended another school, and in some cases, several other schools, with coursework that may not have
transferred to UMW or may not be familiar. Often transfer students will:
Believe that they know college and do not need help! Advisors should acknowledge a transfer
student’s previous academic experience while emphasizing that, as valuable as that background
might be, the student is now at a completely different institution with its own procedures,
processes, and academic culture.
Seek minimal advising so that they can move to course selection as quickly as possible. This is an
understandable instinct that occurs with many students whether they are transfer students or
not. It is the job of the advisor to slow the rush to course selection a little so that appropriate
questions can be asked and answered and so that the student can consider, holistically, the options
available to them.
Come from schools where the advisor will register them for classes during their advising
appointment. Advisors at UMW need to work to manage this expectation.
We must also guard against making assumptions about transfer students, in the same way we should not
pre-judge any student. After working with transfer students, certain truths become apparent:
Not all transfer students matriculate to UMW from the Virginia Community College System.
Many transfer students have academic difficulties in their background but many have been stellar
students and are transferring for a variety of reasons.
Some transfer students are non-traditional and may be older or have a military background,
however, but many students are transferring at eighteen or nineteen years old and will blend with
our traditional population.
Many transfer students at UMW will be off-campus students but a significant percentage will reside
on-campus.
All transfer students to the BA/BS program will complete their intake meeting with the Office Academic
Services and be assigned to Charles Tate, Director of Transfer Advising, as their primary advisor. Because
many transfer students enter UMW with significant credit or an associate’s degree, the goal is to move
them to major declaration as soon as possible, provided they are not genuinely exploring majors. Many
transfer students are not aware of the majors or opportunities at UMW until their intake meeting with
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Academic Services. When a student visits a department they may be ready to declare a major or they may
be exploring majors.
As with any advising appointment, start with a short conversation about the student’s background:
Where is the student transferring from? Seek to understand the sequence of schools, if the student
has coursework from multiple schools.
If the student has any work from the Virginia Community College System, ask if they have
completed an associate’s degree. This will determine whether the student has general education
requirements to complete or not. Early in their time at UMW, a transfer student may have an
associate’s that is not yet applied to their transcript and is not yet waiving most of their general
education requirements on the degree evaluation. Likewise, it is also true that many students will
matriculate to UMW and finish the associate’s within a semester or two. Advisors need to be aware
of students with a transferable associate’s degree, all general education requirements under the
2020 Gen Eds will be waived except for the language requirement (unless waived by another
method: 4 years completed in high school, testing out, 201 transferred in, etc.), writing and
speaking intensives in the major, and all of the requirements in the Connections section.
If the student has attended the Virginia Community College System but has not earned an
associate’s degree, a conversation is in order about the benefits of reverse transfer to complete the
associate’s. (There are cases where it is better for a student to return to the Virginia Community
College System to complete the associate’s rather than utilizing reverse transfer. These cases are
rare and Academic Services is available to consult with a faculty member on this or any other
situation.)
While transfer students will transfer in work from previous schools (and may transfer in AP, IB, etc),
GPA’s from previous schools never transfer to UMW. This is a frequent misunderstanding among
transfer students. Once enrolled at UMW, transfer work, as well as UMW work, is factored into
academic standing.
When reviewing work from other schools be aware that the Office of the Registrar, which makes the
first determination of transfer credit, will make a conservative determination and if a course is not
an exact equivalent it will be entered as an elective course (ex: BIOL-NOTMJ.) Frequently, students
will believe that the title of a transfer course hides the fact that a course is an equivalent. When
this happens, please refer the student to Patricia Sarkuti [email protected] to initiate an appeal of
that course. It is best if the student can provide Patricia with the course syllabus. At a minimum,
the student should provide the course description. The same process may be followed to appeal a
transfer course the student believes meets the writing or speaking intensive requirements.
Very often transfer students will want to attend another school while enrolled at UMW to fulfill
certain requirements. This is most common with their language courses. A student must have
permission from the Office of the Registrar before undertaking a course outside of
UMW. Permission can be attained by filling out the course information under the following Transfer
Credit Permission on the registrar website. Please be aware that no transfer work is accepted to
fulfill the requirements in the Connections section.
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Special Population Advising
First-Year (FSEM) Advising
FSEM Advising is more general than discipline-specific advising.
o It is important to know important features of a variety of majors including the majors that
have sequenced introduction courses or have a set of courses needed prior to declaration.
o Know who to ask for specific questions as not to register students for classes at inopportune
times for their intended major.
Advising will be academic in nature, but will not be limited to only academic matters.
You should be touching base with first-year advisees at least three times each semester of their
first-year.
Keeping record of communication and notes from advising meeting in EAB Navigate is essential to
show a track record of advising for new students and for aiding in major advisors latter
understanding a student's journey to major and courses selection each semester. This provides a
HUGE “Pay if Forward” opportunity!
More so than at any other time - it is a collaborative process, seek help, suggestions, and advise
early and often.
Advisors will receive weekly emails from the Director of the First Year Experience in order to
support the advising efforts and to serve as reminders.
The Role of the First-Year Advisor
Faculty academic advising is a cornerstone of the UMW experience and is conducted by the First-Year
Seminar instructors. This creates multiple weekly contact points between first-year students and their
advisor during the crucial first weeks of their first semester at college. The daily interactions of the seminar,
bolstered by the weekly announcements from the Director of the First-Year Experience, provide a
structured and seamless experience for UMW undergraduates.
First-Year Seminar instructors are the primary advisor for first-year students with the exception of the
Student Transition Program where Justin Wilks is a second primary academic advisor. Honors Program First-
Year Students also have the Directors of the Honors Program serving as additional advisors to help answer
questions about the Honors Program. Each First-Year Seminar section is assigned a Professional Advisor
from the Office of Academic Services, a Peer Mentor, and residential students have a Resident Assistant as
additional resources. Utilize these resources during the semester to better serve the first-year students,
particularly during pre-registration advising.
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Faculty advisors should keep in mind that every class period is an opportunity for advising, where you
should highlight important dates, reinforce advising messages and answer questions. Much of this material
will come to you in the weekly email from the Director of the First-Year Experience and can be augmented
by other information you deem important.
The three advising touchpoints in the Fall are:
During the first 3 weeks of classes - while students are able to drop classes
o Get to know the students
o See how they are adjusting to UMW
o Ask if they are on track for success in each of their classes - if not, if they should adjust their
schedule
During the Pre-registration period for spring classes
o See how the students are doing in each of their classes and what they need to successfully
complete the semester
o See if they have thoughts about declaring a major
o Discuss courses for the spring semester. This will happen earlier for Honors Students,
Military, Veterans, and some students registered with the Office of Disability Resources
Prior to the last day of classes - while students still have the option to withdraw from the university
o Briefly touch base with students about ways to navigate final exams
o Meet with students who are struggling to determine the best course of action and
determine if they will need to change the courses they planned on taking in the spring
o Discuss with students that advising will be different in the spring as there is no FSEM course -
provide information on office hours and how to get advised
The three advising touchpoints in the Spring are:
During the first 3 weeks of class - while students are able to drop classes
o Welcome students back and remind them how to reach you during the spring.
o Help adjust schedules for students that struggled in the fall - prior to the end of the first
week of class.
o Discuss Academic Warning as appropriate and discuss success strategies for the spring
semester.
During the Pre-registration period for fall classes
o See how the students are doing in each of their classes and what they need to successfully
complete the semester.
o See if they have thoughts about declaring a major - they can fill out the paperwork now to
be processed at the completion of the semester.
o Discuss courses for the summer and fall semesters. This will happen earlier for Honors
Students, Military, Veterans, and some students registered with the Office of Disability
Resources.
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Prior to the last day of classes - while students still have the option to withdraw from the university
o Briefly touch base with students about ways to navigate final exams.
o Meet with students who are struggling to determine the best course of action and
determine if they will need to change the courses they planned on taking in the summer or
fall.
o Discuss the handoff to a new advisor for students that declared and what sophomore year
advising will look like for those that did not.
Referrals and Alters
You are the front lines! Get to know your students and refer them to campus resources as needed
including but not limited to the Speaking Center, Writing Center, Library, Academic Services, Peer
Academic Consultants, Peer Tutoring, the Digital Knowledge Center, Center for Community Engagement,
Tally Center, Student Health Center, James Farmer Multicultural Center, and Dean of Student Life. If you
have concerns for a student or there is a crisis fill out a UMW Reporting Form.
There may also be times when you as the academic advisor are contacted to reach out to a student as
their advisor if others are worried about your student.
Major Declaration
While many students come to UMW knowing in what they want to major, a large number come in
undecided. Too often, these undecided students float through their first few semesters without finding
clear direction which can delay their degree completion. Advisors should share our stories about how we
came to our own major decisions and encourage students on a variety of majors by talking to individuals
around campus with varied paths.
Students have the option of enrolling in IDIS 191—Liberal Arts and the World of Work, a one-credit
course designed to help undecided students find the place where their talents and passions meet.
Furthermore, students can seek guidance from the Career Center. Students can declare a major at the end
of their first year by filling out the Major Declaration Form, getting it signed by the Department Chair and
turning it into the Registrar’s Office.
For students who choose not to declare a major at the end of their first year it is recommended that
they stay with their first-year advisor to provide continuity of advising. If that is not possible, those students
will be advised by staff in the Office of Academic Services until they declare a major.
Undergraduate Degree Policies
Quick reminders of some note for first-year student advising!
Repeating a UMW class can help improve a student’s GPA - a student can retake a course only if
they earned a C- or below.
Students cannot repeat a class if they have taken a subsequent class for which the first was a
prerequisite.
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Students can only repeat ANY class once - this could narrow a student’s choice of major.
Double Majors - can only have 9 credits of overlap.
Prerequisites - Many courses, especially in linear-building subjects, have prerequisites and/or co-requisites
in the form of other courses that must be taken prior to enrollment or during enrollment of the course.
Permission of Instructor - the instructor must approve the student’s enrollment into the course. Listed as
POI on the course schedule.
Taking a course out of sequence or waiving prerequisites - requires approval by the faculty member
teaching the course and his or her department chair.
Placement testing - Some departments (Mathematics, Chemistry, Modern Languages and Literatures,
Classics, Philosophy and Religion) have testing that helps place students into the most appropriate course
for beginning their studies. Details vary by discipline. Students should generally contact the department
chair if they have questions about placement testing.
Retaking courses - Students might earn poor grades in some courses and one very practical option for them
to consider is repeating the course. UMW policy states that students can only repeat courses in which they
have earned a grade of C-or below and a course may be repeated only one time. After taking a course twice
they cannot repeat the course at UMW and only the most recent grade contributes to the GPA.
Transferring courses - Students will inquire about taking courses at another institution and transferring the
credits to UMW to assist in completing their UMW degree requirements. This happens frequently in the
summer. As a general rule, UMW credit trumps all others. Students cannot retake a course at another
institution (that they already completed here) in an attempt to transfer it back to UMW to replace a lower
grade. If a student received AP, IB, dual enrollment, or any other “examination” credit for a UMW course,
and then later takes the UMW course, the prior credit is forfeited. Students should obtain “pre-approval”
to take a course to transfer to UMW and should do so through the Office of the Registrar prior to enrolling
in the course.
Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Equivalency Chart - Maintained by the Registrar's Office, it lists
courses that have been determined as equivalent to UMW courses. Consideration of courses beyond those
that have been evaluated for equivalency must come from the department chair. Requests for evaluation
of transfer credit originate with an online form from the Registrar's Office.
Meeting Gen-Ed requirements with study abroad (GI/EL) - If approved in advance, study abroad experience
can potentially satisfy either the Global Inquiry or the Experiential Learning requirement of our General
Education Curriculum. The same study abroad experience may not be used to meet both Global Inquiry and
Experiential Learning. In order to use a study abroad experience to meet a General Education requirement,
students must complete a form identifying a faculty member who will monitor a “reflective component” of
the experience (often, this is a short reflective paper about the experience). Students who opt for this
approach enroll in SAGE 000 prior to departing on the study abroad experience. After the trip, and during
the semester following the experience, the student completes the “reflective” component as described on
the SAGE 000. They are expected to meet with the faculty advisor to reflect on their experience, and the
faculty member assigns a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grade to the non-credit-bearing course. Also note
that some programs have a separate study abroad reflection course that does earn credit.
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Parents and Release of Information
As an advisor, you are under no obligation to have a conversation about a student with parents or families
if they make inquiries about a student’s performance. Should you elect to do so, you must consult the ROI
list (call Academic Services at ext. 1010) before discussing any matters protected under federal law to
ensure that the student has signed the “Release of Information”. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) states, in essence, that academic records may be maintained by the University and are
accessible only by employees acting in an official capacity or by permission of the student. In particular,
parents are not permitted to access such records without consent of the student. The Registrar’s Office has
a process whereby students may “delegate access” to other individuals for certain information such as
grades and financial information. In addition, a student who wishes to grant access to another individual to
have a conversation about their academic performance must complete a “release of information” (ROI)
form available from Academic Services. In such cases, the release is kept on file.
Furthermore, remember that email addresses are no longer considered public information - please
communicate with your students using the BCC feature or communicate through EAB Navigate Professor
and Advisor Home screens.
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Honors Scholars
Academic Advisors
The assigned academic advisor(s) for Honors Scholars is their first-year advisor (first-year seminar
instructor) or major advisor(s). Additionally, Mara Scanlon and Kelli Slunt serve as program directors for
the Honors Scholars and as academic advisors for the scholars. Even though the Honors Program staff have
the ability to remove advising holds, the primary responsibility for advising Honors Scholars belongs to the
first-year or major advisor(s).
Advising Timelines
Ideally advising for Honors Scholars will begin soon after the new course schedule is posted each semester.
Priority registration runs from 8 am on the Thursday to 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Advanced
Registration for Upcoming Semester period. If an Honors Scholar misses the priority registration window,
they can register for classes during the appointment registration window based on credits completed.
Admission to the Honors Program
The Honors Program admits Honors Scholars to the program in one of two tracks: Track A (admitted
directly from high school) and Track B (admitted by application in February of the first-year at UMW or
admitted through transfer from an Honors Program at another institution). Students who were not
accepted into the Honors Program through the Common Application to UMW, have a 3.2 UMW GPA or higher,
have completed only one or two semesters of study at UMW, and have completed fewer than 60 total credits
can apply to the Honors Program by February 1
each year. It is recommended that applicants will have
completed or enrolled in (for the spring semester) at least one Honors-designated course. The application
process is competitive and decisions are final.
Honors Program Requirements
The Honors Program staff tracks and reviews the requirements completed by the Honors Scholars each
semester. An advisor and the Honors Scholar can review the requirements in DegreeWorks; upon request,
the Honors Program staff can provide a check sheet that tracks the non-course requirements (i.e. co-
curriculars, leadership).
Requirements for all Honors Students Matriculating in/after Fall 2021
HONR 101: Honors City as Text –1 credit. HONR 101 must be completed in the first Fall semester of
participation in the Honors Program
Honors-designated coursework– minimum 12 credits, across the curriculum
Honors Service Learning – HONR 201 –1 credit, taken in the second year
Honors Program Leadership requirement (tracked as HONR 002)
Capstone Prep Workshop (tracked as HONR 005), taken 1-2 semesters before Capstone Project
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Capstone Project – minimum 3 credits of individual study (491, 492, or a comparable approved
course) completed during the last year of study at UMW, and presentation of the research or
creative project at the Honors Program Symposium (fall semester), Research and Creativity Day
(spring semester), or another pre-approved comparable venue. The Honors Capstone Project
typically is completed, and earns credit, in the student’s major or minor; HONR 491 may be used for
interdisciplinary projects or in disciplines that do not have an approved individual study course.
Honors portfolio – HONR 004
One co-curricular event and reflection per semester in the program – tracked as HONR 003
Students transferring from an Honors Program at another institution can submit a form (available from
the Honors Program) to consider transfer honors credit for up to 6 credits of courses from the other
institution to fulfill the honors-designated coursework requirement. Honors coursework from high
school (including AP, IB, honors, dual enrollment) will not be considered and should not be submitted
for consideration.
Yearly Requirements
All Honors Scholars must complete the following requirements each year to remain in good standing:
Maintain a 3.2 GPA (see GPA policy on the next page)
Successfully complete a minimum of two Honors Program requirements per year (which may consist
of Honors-designated academic courses, Honors Service Learning, or non-credited requirements like
Leadership) until all of the requirements are fulfilled. Note: the Capstone Project, traditionally
completed in the final year, is an exception.
Attend an appropriate co-curricular event each semester (one for each term enrolled at UMW as an
Honors scholar) and submit a reflection about the event by the last day of classes for the semester
in which the event occurred.
Maintain a portfolio of Honors Program work and activities.
Attend meetings of the Honors Program scholars as necessary.
Exceptions to these policies can be made by the Faculty Honors Advisory Committee or the Director of the
Honors Program in extraordinary circumstances.
Curricular Requirements in Honors
Matriculated before Fall 2021
Matriculated in Fall 2021 or later
12 credits of HN-designated coursework
(for Track A, must include HN FSEM course)
HONR 101 City as Text
HONR 201 Service Learning
12 credits of HN-designated coursework
HONR 002 Leadership
HONR 201 Service Learning
HONR 005 Capstone Preparation
HONR 002 Leadership
Capstone
HONR 005 Capstone Preparation
Capstone
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International Students
Orientation Program
Upon arriving to campus, international student are expected to attend the International Student
Orientation Program (ISOP) offered by the Center for International Education (CIE). The ISOP is designed to
provide essential information on maintaining a valid F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status while in the United
States, as well as other important details about life at the University of Mary Washington. International
students will also learn about on-and off-campus resources and support services. The ISOP is mandatory
for all F-1 and J-1 freshman and transfer international students.
Immigration Status
While students are enrolled at the UMW, the Center for International Education will be the main hub for
any information related to maintaining immigration status in the US or any other international student
services such as on/off campus employment, CPT, OPT, foreign travel, foreign visas, banking, insurance,
driving license, etc.
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Nursing
Overview of the Nursing Programs offered:
BSN-C Program:
The BSN Completion Program (BSN-C) the largest cponenet of UMW Nursing. It is designed for a licensed
RN who holds an associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited university/college or diploma nursing
program. The student can attend full-time or part-time. The program prepares the nurse to identify and
improve patient care within a complex healthcare system, to assume more vital roles within the medical
profession, and to continue their nursing education to the graduate level.
1-2-1 Nursing Plan:
The University of Mary Washington offers an innovative, dual degree plan in affiliation with Germanna
Community College. Under the 1+2+1 BSN Dual Degrees in Nursing Plan, the student attends both UMW
and Germanna for the first three years. In the senior year, the student attends only UMW. This plan is
designed for the student who wants a traditional four-year residential experience while earning a BSN.
Because of the unique nature of the program, and secondary screening criteria, student must begin in the
first semester of their first year; transferring into the program is not an option.
Concurrent Enrollment program:
The Concurrent Enrollment program is designed for local students in the Germanna Community College
nursing program who intend to transfer to the BSN Completion Program at UMW. These students can get a
head-start on the BSN coursework by taking the three BSN liberal arts courses at UMW during the summer
(while in the community college RN program). In addition, these students will be guaranteed admission to
our BSN Completion Program when they graduate from the community college with an AAS in Nursing
degree, and they obtain their RN license.
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Pre Health Student Program
There is a formal Pre-Health Program at UMW. The program provides academic and career advising to
all students who self-identify as being pre-health (i.e., Premed, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-
Physician Assistant, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Optometry, and
Pre-Nursing).
The UMW Pre-Health Advisor, Associate Professor Deborah O’Dell, administers the program. All UMW
students interested in a possible health career should contact Professor O’Dell for academic and career
advice. Contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Pre-health advising office hours with the Pre-Health Advisor are held in the Center for Career and
Professional Development, University Center, Suite 206. Office hours vary by semester. To make an
appointment with the Pre-Health Advisor, go to the Career Center website and make an
appointment through Handshake.
None of the pre-health career programs mentioned above are majors or minors. Rather, they are pre-
career paths that students can follow from virtually any major offered at UMW. Students in pursuit of any
of these clinical careers may major in any of the major programs at the University. Although most pre-
health students major in one of the sciences, students can easily major in one of the humanities, arts, or
social sciences and still incorporate their pre-health curriculum into the course schedule.
All pre-health career programs have the same basic components:
Coursework: Students participating in any one of the pre-health career programs listed above are
required to take a variety of science, math and non-science courses. Most of these courses overlap
with general education requirements of the University. There is significant variability among course
requirements, but most minimally require 2 semesters of introductory biology, 2 semesters of
general chemistry, and English. Many also require at least 1 psychology course and 1 sociology
course. Some require much more.
Clinical Experiences: Most pre-health career programs require students to complete extracurricular
clinical experiences that show students the reality of the profession.
Community Service: Volunteering in the community has become an increasingly important part of
all health professions.
The Pre-Health Program has a Canvas site in which all pre-health students should enroll. This site is the one
location where UMW pre-health students can find detailed descriptions of specific pre-health career
requirements, campus meetings and events, open houses, etc. Students can self-enroll in the course by
going to this URL: https://canvas.umw.edu/enroll/XGDA4J.
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Student Athletes
Athletic Department Special Notes for advising a “Student Athlete”
All varsity student-athletes (SA) are required to register for PHYD 4XX (1 credit SA/UN) each
semester. Every varsity sport has an assigned number. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for course
numbers. As a point of reference, this policy does not apply to our Team Sports of Men’s and Women’s
Rugby and Esports. Members of these teams are student-athletes, but are not varsity sports and therefore
not bound to the bylaws of the NCAA governance structure. They have to abide by the general operating
rules of their coaching organizations, which varies.
In order for a student to be eligible for NCAA competition they must meet the following criteria:
1. Student-Athletes must be registered in a minimum of 12 credits each semester.
2. Exemptions:
In their final academic semester, the SA may be registered in less than 12 credits.
As graduate student, the SA may be registered in less than 12 credits if in their final academic
semester, otherwise they must be full-time which is 9 credits for a graduate student.
A nursing student must have a minimum of 12 credits (they may have some of those credits at
Germanna Community College).
If a SA is carrying a course overload (18 credits) they are not required to register for the 1 credit
PHYD 4XX class (we do not require the SA to pay to play). But they do need to notify their head
coach if they are carrying an academic overload.
3. SA should be conscience of their practice, strength training and competition schedule when
scheduling classes. The Athletic Department recommends all SA take as many early morning classes
as possible in order to minimize missed class time. The NCAA does not allow missed class time for
practices!
4. As part of the Coast to Coast Conference and Metropolitan Swimming Conference, competitions
take place throughout the week. Most occur on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with some outliers. As
such, the Department recommends all SA’s avoid Wednesday evening classes.
5. The Athletic Department emphasizes to all SA to be aware of departure times for all away games
and consider those when scheduling games to minimize missed class time.
6. If a SA is considering dropping or withdrawing from a class that would drop their total semester
credits below 12 credits the SA must notify their Head Coach immediately. The SA will become
immediately ineligible to practice or compete in a contest.
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Student Transition Program (STP)
STP provides numerous comprehensive opportunities throughout the summer and academic year to
support program participants as they transition into and navigate the first year of college:
Summer Residential Program - Five-weeks, summer session II
o STP participants take three classes worth a total of 6-credits applicable toward degree
completion to help them begin to develop the academic and interpersonal skills to navigate
the first-year experience. Summer courses include a 3-credit course based on major or
personal academic interest, 2-credit college success course, and a 1-credit PHYD course.
Student Success Courses - Taken in sequence through the entirety of the first year
o Summer: Education 101: How to Succeed in College, Pt. I (2 credits)
This course is designed to teach students how to develop, use and assess effective and
efficient learning strategies with the goal of developing a personal system of study. Topics
will include but are not limited to:
How You Learn, Goal-Setting and Self-Monitoring
Time Management and Concentration Strategies
Effective strategies for Listening, Reading, & Memory Enhancement
Exam Preparation and Test-Taking
Appreciating Cultural Diversity
o Fall: Education 102: How to Succeed in College, Pt. II (1 Credit)
This course is designed to encourage students to be reflective in identifying personal
strengths and challenges as it relates to the writing and speaking process and to place
emphasis on team-building with fellow students. Topics will include but are not limited to:
Positive interpersonal relationships through effective communication
Developing positionality in the writing and speaking process
How to use various research databases and non-traditional sources
Presentation skills
o Spring: IDIS 191: Liberal Arts and World of Work (1 Credit)
This course explores the connections between the liberal arts, disciplinary pathways, and the
world of work. Students explore, discover, and evaluate their own interests, values,
strengths, and skills while examining possible connections to academic programs and
careers. Topics will include but are not limited to:
Connection between a liberal arts education, the world of work, and lifelong learning.
Career and professional development
Academic Advising - In addition to regular weekly meetings during the student success courses,
there will be three advising touchpoints in BOTH the fall and spring semesters with the STP advisor:
o During the first 2 weeks of classes-- while students are able to drop classes
See how they are adjusting to UMW
Assess if they are on track for success in each of their classes and, if not, if they
should adjust their schedule
o During the Pre-registration period for the next semester’s courses
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Check in on how the students are doing in each of their classes and what they need
to do to successfully complete the semester
Discuss courses for the spring semester
o Prior to the last week of classes
Touch base with students regarding exam preparation
Meet with students that are struggling to determine the best course of action and
determine if they will need to 1) withdraw from the university for the semester 2)
change the courses they plan on taking in the following semester
STP Discovery - To provide individual support for all STP freshmen and undeclared sophomores
facing academic challenges, students with a semester GPA of 2.25 or lower are required to meet
with Justin for regular, ongoing academic planning meetings for the duration of the following
semester. Note, past STP students (i.e., sophomores) who have already declared are invited to
participate but it is not mandatory.
During the first three weeks of the semester:
o Weekly meetings to assess if they are on track for success in each class and, if not,
how should their schedule adjust
o Create weekly academic plan for students to best navigate areas of concern inside
and out of the classroom.
After the first three weeks or when Justin deems necessary, meetings become bi-weekly for the remainder
of the semester.
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Support Students with Disabilities – ODR
Advising students with disabilities involves consideration of a variety of needs. The following is a list of
some helpful points to consider. Please know that this is a general list provided to help guide the advising
process, and it is not intended to be comprehensive. For specific questions, please do not hesitate to reach
out to the Office of Disability Resources for assistance either in person at Sea.
Students may have many reasons they choose not to disclose disability-related information
including their right to privacy around sharing personal information, anxiety, lack of understanding
of how to share information, and communication difficulties.
A balanced course load is especially important to students with disabilities.
Some students with disabilities require careful planning of their schedule due to reasons related to
their disability. It is important to consider what each student requires for success at UMW. Some
areas to consider are as follows:
o Type of course – students may have more challenges in particular types of courses (for
example, reading-intensive, writing-intensive, speaking-intensive, math-intensive) and
consideration of how a student might effectively balance their course load with more and
less intensive courses can be an effective way to advise a student to build a more
manageable course load.
o Reduced course load accommodation – some students receive accommodations that allow
them to take 9-11 credits and maintain their full-time status as students with disabilities.
This effectively allows students to manage course work while taking a reduced number of
classes.
o Graduating in over 4 years – students often receive pressure to graduate within a 4-year
timeline although, this is not always appropriate for students – with or without disabilities –
and it is important to consider what each student needs to be successful.
Some students may require the use of assistive technology (such as screen readers) to access
information electronically and are unable to use printed information. Academic advising resources
often involve the use of visuals and being prepared for a student who may interact with information
differently is important to allow for a productive meeting.
Please avoid recommending accommodations to students (for example, informing a student that
they can get a language waiver, priority registration, or any other type of accommodation by
registering with the Office of Disability Resources). Careful consideration is made by ODR when
determining accommodations in an equitable and fair manner in accordance with the law. This can
lead to students assuming they will receive particular types of supports from ODR that cannot be
guaranteed by an academic advisor, cause confusion and frustration, and may attribute to conflicts
with the relationship that ODR builds with students.
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A second language substitution is an accommodation offered by ODR for students with a language-
based disorder after careful review of documentation and involvement in an interactive process
with the student. Academic advisors are responsible for assisting students with choosing courses to
fulfill the substitution after it is approved and will be notified via email when a student is approved
for this accommodation. A copy of approved courses will be attached to that email.
Remember, each student is unique. What works for one student may be ineffective for another.
For the disability registration form and information on how to register, please see
academics.umw.edu/disability/how-to-register
To learn more about documentation guidelines, assistive technologies, services available, and
frequently asked questions, please see academics.umw.edu/disability.
If a student needs accommodations in their residence hall, such as a wheelchair-accessible room or
visual fire alarm, encourage them to complete the housing accommodations application at
academics.umw.edu/disability/accommodations/housing-accommodations.
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BLS – Bachelor of Liberal Studies
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) degree program is designed for adults whose life and/or
experiences may require a non-traditional approach to completing their degree. The program is intended
for students who may have graduated from high school six or more years ago, may be financially self-
supporting, and/or may have significant life or professional experience that translates into academic
knowledge that can contribute to the completion of the Bachelor’s degree.
While the BLS is a baccalaureate degree, unlike a traditional BA or BS, the BLS degree offers greater
flexibility in the timetable leading to graduation because it does not require full-time study, extended
residence at the University, or foreign language courses (unless a student majors in a foreign language).
Applicants must demonstrate their ability to succeed in college-level coursework by showing a minimum
GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in their previous college coursework.
BLS students may choose to major in any one of the more than 30 majors available in the College of
Arts and Sciences or may create a self-designed, interdisciplinary major (subject to the approval of the
Bachelor of Liberal Studies Committee) such as Managerial Economics or the popular Criminal Justice
major. BLS students may also select the exclusive Leadership and Management major, only open to BLS
students, which may be completed entirely online. Students currently enrolled in a BA or BS program at
UMW may transfer to BLS before completing 30 institutional credits if they have maintained a 2.5 GPA or
higher and qualify as a non-traditional student.
General education requirements for BLS students differ slightly from those of BA or BS students. The
BLS degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, distributed in three categories: general education
requirements, major program of study, and electives. Students must also take courses listed as Writing
Intensive and Speaking Intensive. Currently, the general education and intensive requirements are:
Foundations
Written Communication: Three (3) courses designated Writing Intensive.
Oral Communication: One (1) course designated Speaking Intensive.
Methods of Investigation
Arts and Literature: One (1) course focusing on visual art, performing art, and/or literature.
Humanities: One (1) course in the humanities (including history).
Natural Science: One (1) course in the natural sciences that includes a laboratory.
Quantitative Reasoning: One (1) course focusing on quantitative information and abstract
reasoning.
Social Science: One (1) course in the social sciences.
Additional Methods of Investigation Courses: Three (3) additional courses taken from two (2)
different Methods of Investigation categories.
Connections
Digital Intensive: One (1) course designated as a Digital Intensive course that is not being used to
meet one of the Methods of Investigation requirements or to fulfill the Diverse and Global
Perspectives requirement.
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Diverse and Global Perspectives: One (1) course focusing on global and/or diverse communities that
is not being used to meet one of the Methods of Investigation requirements or to fulfill the Digital
Intensive requirement.
BLS students are required to complete at least 30 credits at UMW. A maximum of 90 semester
hours of transfer credit may be used to fulfill the requirements of the BLS degree. These credits may
include a maximum of 30 credits earned through CLEP exams, a maximum of 30 credits earned through
a life/work portfolio submission, and a maximum of 30 credits earned through ACE military credit. A GPA of
2.00 on all work at the University of Mary Washington is also required, with no more than 6 credits in
physical education courses counting toward the degree.
Questions regarding degree requirements for BLS students should be directed to Dr. Ana Chichester,
Program Director, or Kristen Fairbanks, Associate Director.
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Advising Upper-Class Students
Application to Graduate
Senior Check Sheet
All students in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program are required to complete a senior
check sheet with their major advisor prior to their final year of study. Senior check sheets are generated by
the Office of the Registrar based on the student’s self-reported expected graduation term, with the intent
of giving the student a point-in-time assessment of degree progress with two remaining semesters; in the
case of double-majors, a check sheet is generated for each major program.
The senior check sheet is a one-page document detailing completed and remaining degree requirements
based on completed coursework. Once generated, the check sheet document is distributed to the major
advisor in order to facilitate the required senior advising meeting. Any questions regarding the information
communicated by the check sheet should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar as part of this
meeting. Student and advisor develop a plan to address all remaining requirements, record that plan on the
check sheet, and confirm the intended graduation time frame is feasible. Once the student and advisor sign
off, the advisor and student each retain a copy and the signed copy is submitted to the Registrar.
Policy for Walking at Graduation
UMW holds commencement annually in May. The date for the degree awarded is the conclusion of the
summer, fall or spring terms in which all the degree requirements were completed. The student is cleared
for the degree award and the degree is posted on the official transcript at the conclusion of the summer,
fall or spring terms in which all degree requirements were completed and all other obligations to the
university have been met. Students submit degree applications during the second semester of the junior
year.
A student who requires no more than one course (up to a maximum of 4 credits) for graduation or faces
extraordinary circumstances and plans to complete the degree requirement following commencement may
petition the Office of the Registrar, by no later than the close of business on the Tuesday immediately
preceding commencement, for special consideration to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Major Declaration
A first time, first year B.A./B.S. student is eligible to declare a major by submitting the Major/Minor
Declaration Form to the chairperson of the chosen department at the end of their first year or upon
completion of 28 credits. To declare a major the students must go to the appropriate academic
department. The academic department will then assign a major advisor. Students can also declare a minor
by visiting the academic department of interest. If they change their mind about the major and/or minor
they originally select, it is possible to change to a different major simply by visiting the new academic
department of interest and resubmitting the Major/Minor Declaration Form.
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Undergraduate Degree Program Advising
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
The vast majority of students at UMW will eventually declare a major housed in one of the departments
in the College of Arts and Sciences. Each department has their own set of processes for assigning major
advisees and providing resources to these students. Some departments host events for new majors and
others have a major handbook that they distribute. Since the resources and processes vary so much
between departments, it is critical that students interested in declaring a major connect early with the chair
of the department in which the major program is housed. The department chair is their best resource for
understanding the program requirements and processes for new majors. After meeting with the
department chair, new majors will be assigned a major advisor within the department as discussed earlier.
There are occasions when a student may wish to design their own major by selecting courses that lead
to expertise in an area not already covered by one of the college’s 30+ majors. At UMW, we refer to these
as “Special Majors” and any such request needs to pass a thorough review by the CAS Curriculum
Committee. Details on Special Majors can be found on the CAS Website.
Finally, the college has established a number partnerships with other institutions, especially for
graduate programs. Our goal is to leverage the high-quality graduate programs in the Commonwealth that
we do not offer at UMW, but that naturally complement our undergraduate programs. Examples include
our agreement with the Scalia School of Law at George Mason University and our agreement with the
Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy at Shenandoah University. Students interested in engineering or any of
the subareas within computer science should be encouraged to explore our partnerships with VA Tech and
George Mason. As programs are developed and agreements are signed, details will always be posted on the
Graduate Pathways page in the student section of the CAS Website.
College of Business (COB)
General Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the College of Business, students must have earned a cumulative grade point
average of 2.0 or better after completing at least 27 college credits. Additionally, applicants will have
completed the following courses for the College of Business and have earned an average GPA of 2.5 or
better in these 5 courses: ACCT 101, ACCT 102, ECON 201, ECON 202, and STAT 180 (or equivalents). Note:
Accounting 110 may substitute for Accounting 101, 102.
***Requirements will change for Business Majors effective Fall 2022***
Transfer students
In addition to the requirements above, transfer students must have earned a cumulative overall
GPA of 2.0 in 15 semester hours taken at the University of Mary Washington and have completed 9
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semester hours of required College of Business coursework with a cumulative course GPA of 2.5 to be
admitted to the College of Business.
Direct Transfer Agreement with Germanna Community College
Students who graduate from Germanna with the AA&S degree in Business Administration, General
Studies or Liberal Arts with at least a 3.0 grade point average in all attempted college work and a 2.5
average in the five pre-admission courses are guaranteed admission to the BS in Business Administration
Program at UMW. The pre-admission VCCS equivalent courses are ACC 211, ACC 212, ECO 201, ECO 202,
and MTH 157 or 240.
Pre-business
With the exception of first year freshmen, students who are interested in one of the majors offered
by the College of Business may declare as a Pre-business student. When meeting with the student, please
advise them to contact Rhonda Stills, the Academic Advisor for the College of Business, at rstills@umw.edu
to complete the declaration process.
Credit limitations for non-business students
A student who has not declared a Business major is limited to taking no more than 27 hours in
business or business related courses defined as those courses with the following prefixes: ACCT, BLAW,
BUAD, DSCI, FINC, MKTG, MGMT, MIST, BPST, CIST, or LRSP. This should be taken into consideration if
students would like to take additional business coursework as they work on the admission requirements. As
many will complete the minor if they are not admitted, it is recommended that students choose courses
that will count in either the major or the Business Administration minor. Suggested courses are BUAD 105,
MIST 201, MGMT 301 (Prerequisite: Junior status), and MKTG 301 (Prerequisites: Junior status and ECON
201 or 202).
Declaration process
After a student has met the requirements for admission to the College of Business, they should
complete the major declaration form and submit it to Rhonda Stills in Woodard Hall, Room 232 or via email
Major and Minor Requirements
All majors within the College of Business require 48 hours of semester coursework. In addition,
students must complete BLAW 201, which is a prerequisite for the major capstone, BUAD 490 – Strategic
Management.
Both minors require 18 hours of semester coursework. Students who are completing a major within
the College of Business may not complete the Business Administration minor because of the extensive
course overlap between the major and the minor. They may, however, complete the Finance and
Quantitative Analysis minor.
The specific requirements for each College of Business major and minor can be found online under
the College of Business Undergraduate Catalog.
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College of Education (COE)
The College of Education offers four undergraduate initial licensure teacher education programs.
Students complete education coursework and field experiences at the undergraduate level while earning
a bachelor’s degree
Elementary Education (grades PreK-6): Students major in Elementary Education and graduate with a
Bachelor of Science in Education.
PreK-12 Education (grades PreK-12): Students major in one of the endorsement areas of visual arts (studio
art), languages (Latin, French, German or Spanish), music (instrumental or vocal), or theatre and graduate
with a bachelor’s degree in that discipline, and complete the licensure requirements for PreK-12 Education.
Secondary Education (grades 6 – 12): Students major in one of the endorsement areas: one of the sciences
(biology, chemistry, geology or environmental sciences or physics), mathematics, history and social sciences
(economics, history, geography or political science), or English and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in
that discipline, and complete the licensure requirements for Secondary Education.
Special Education: General Curriculum (grades K-12): Students can select any major, including Elementary
Education, and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in that discipline, and complete the licensure
requirements for Special Education: General Curriculum.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program
There is a two-step process for admissions to the College of Education.
1. The first step is to complete the COE Phase I Questionnaire in order to enroll in Phase I education
courses (EDUC 206: Foundations of Education and EDUC 207: Development of the Learner and
Instructional Practices). Students interested in Elementary Education and/or Special Education
should begin Phase I during the spring of their freshman year. Students interested in Secondary
Education or PreK-12 Education should begin Phase I during the fall of their sophomore year.
2. The second step is to officially apply to the College of Education during Phase I to move forward to
Phase II. A student must have earned at least a 2.5 overall GPA and a 3.0 in the education courses.
Students will need to complete all entrance testing requirements before entering Phase II.
For additional information about the admission process, testing requirements, and deadlines, visit:
https://education.umw.edu/advising/admissions/
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UMW General Education Requirements - Teacher Education
General Education Courses Required: Elementary Education
Quantitative Reasoning: STAT 180
Humanities: LING 101B and HIST 131
Social Science: GEOG 101
General Education Courses: PreK-12, Secondary, and Special Education
Quantitative Reasoning: STAT 180 (recommended)
Students can choose general education courses based on their interests.
Advising Information
Education students should meet with their College of Education advisor at least once per semester
to review their academic progress. The COE advisor will share important information about courses,
program completion, and licensure requirements.
Students will be assigned to Dr. April Brecht as they start the education program.
Admitted College of Education students will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students may check
Banner or EAB Navigate for the assigned advisor.
Students who are declared as an Elementary Education major will have their hold removed by a COE
advisor. Otherwise, COE advisors do not remove advising holds, so students still need to meet with
their primary academic advisor for registration advising.
Students will be required to complete several courses that include field experiences. Students
should take this into consideration when registering for courses and try to allow for blocks of time in
their schedule to visit their assigned schools. All field placements are arranged by Kristina Peck, the
Director of Clinical Experiences.
Most of the pathways require specific courses within the discipline or general education courses in
addition to the COE courses. The specific requirements can be found on the individual check sheets.
Students who have previously taken EDU 200 at a Virginia community college will initially receive
transfer credit for an education elective. Once students are admitted to COE, these courses are
adjusted to the equivalent of either EDUC 203 or 204. Any other education courses from other
institutions will be evaluated individually.
COE students must meet specific requirements to continue in the program. These requirements can
be found in the catalog under the Education Program.
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