African American Studies affords students the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary study of African American roles and contributions to such varied aspects of American life as history, literature, music, religion, and society. Students who complete the minor will acquire knowledge about the African American experience in the Americas, apply a variety of methods to understand historical and current topics, and think critically and prepare themselves to address existing and future challenges in American culture and society, all of which will prove useful in professional life after Mary Washington.
Explore the complex nature of U.S. history and culture in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a city rich in Revolutionary, Civil War, and 20th-century history. As an American studies major at the University of Mary Washington you'll examine what it means to be an American, from history and politics to literature, music, and film. You'll find focus in fields such as anthropology, historic preservation, and gender studies.
The minor in applied statistics provides students with the necessary background for careers in statistics and its applications in diverse fields. The minor is open to students from all majors. It offers an opportunity for students to develop the skills expected of entry-level statistical analysts, equipping them with the tools to help companies, organizations, political campaigns and businesses to better anticipate and manage variation.
The minor in Arabic studies is designed for students who wish to develop their Arabic advanced language proficiency and broaden their knowledge of Arabic literature, history, politics, and culture.
The biology major presents a wealth of opportunities. From investigating the molecular genetics of microbes to observing the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, the biology major can meet you where your passions lie, open doors for exploration, and pave the way to an exciting career. Our research intensive program will prepare you to think like a scientist and creatively tackle tomorrow’s challenges in the life sciences.
UMW has a long history of preparing teachers to serve the state and nation. The Undergraduate Initial Licensure pathways include a B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education with a major in education, and programs in secondary, PK12, or special education. The College of Education also offers Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs for adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree.
The minor in English literature offers the opportunity to study literature on an advanced level and to develop critical thinking, writing, and research skills alongside the enjoyment of literature. Students can explore a range of genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and creative non-fiction; a range of national traditions, including not only British and U.S. literature but also literature written in English from around the globe; and a range of historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present. Courses examine literary works’ diverse artistic forms and cultural significances and introduce students to the most important historical and contemporary methods of reading literary texts.
The entrepreneurship minor offers students the tools needed to start their own business. Students will learn the foundations of creating a business, writing a business plan, and participating in hands-on business creation through the practicum in entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurship minor is specially designed to be completed by students from any discipline.
UMW’s Master of Science in Geospatial Analysis (MSGA) allows students to earn two degrees in five years through our accelerated program, or to earn a master’s degree in a stand-alone program. Students interested in the MSGA should have taken undergraduate certificate in Geographic Information Science (GISC) courses or should have professional experience in this field. Geospatial technologies include modeling and geospatial analysis, remote sensing, geo-intelligence, and Python programming. The applications of geospatial technologies are exploding and are in particular demand in the greater Washington, D.C., region. In the MSGA program, students will integrate theory with critical thinking, project management, and communication skills while mastering geospatial techniques. This is an evening program for working professionals: All classes meet once a week from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on the Fredericksburg campus. Most students attend part time, taking one or two courses per semester. It is possible to complete the program in 12 months if one starts in the fall.
Explore world and American history in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a city with a long human story of its own. Here you can study pre-European cultures, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the 20th century -- and that's just outside the classroom. UMW's master teachers will ground you in a broad knowledge of history and help you narrow your focus to gain specialized expertise. You'll leave ready to make a difference in a career or graduate school.
The interdisciplinary minor in journalism teaches students essential skills for working in a news environment, such us how to gather facts, evaluate them and disseminate them simply and clearly for print and online audiences, as well as how to critically examine the institution of mass media.
Why don’t riders fall off the roller coaster? When you look in a window, why do you see what's inside as well as your own reflection? How is music recorded and transmitted? Physics answers these questions and many more. As a UMW physics major, you'll satisfy your curiosity about the physical universe, then analyze and describe your discoveries. You'll leave career-ready, prepared for advanced study, and poised to make an immediate contribution to your field.
Everyone has a sex and everyone has a gender. Our bachelor’s degree in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies focuses on people’s experiences as women and men – and on masculinity and femininity – across time and around the world. You will choose and craft your courses from diverse fields and examine the complex interactions of gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and race.
