Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there special admissions requirements for ARHU students?
A: The University of Maryland does not base its admissions decisions on the applicant's intended major. There are no additional entrance requirements for ARHU students with two exceptions:

• Music: Students applying for music must complete an audition. Visit the School of Music for audition requirements and schedules.
• Communication: The communication major is a Limited Enrollment Program All first-time freshmen who designate communication as a major prior to the end of their first semester are directly admitted; however, they must fulfill a series of gateway requirements by the semester in which they earn 45 University of Maryland credits (excluding AP). Internal and external transfer students must meet the same gateway requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in the semester in which they earn 56 credits. For those students who meet the gateway requirements and who apply after the semester in which they earn 56 credits, admission is competitive and on a space-available basis. For more information, visit the Department of Communication's Undergraduate Program page.
  

Q: What courses are required for ARHU students?
A: All students at the University of Maryland must complete our general education program called CORE. CORE requirements are in addition to a student's major, department, and college requirements. CORE courses constitute approximately 43-46 credits, but for most students, many CORE courses may also fulfill other major, departmental, or college requirements. The CORE program consists of four elements: Fundamental Studies (College Math and English); Distributive Studies (Humanities, Math and Science, and Social Sciences); Advance Studies; and Human Cultural Diversity. Students pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees in the College of Arts and Humanities must also complete at least 45 credits at the 300-400 level, demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, and complete UNIV 101, a two-credit orientation course designed to support students in their transition to campus. For more information on CORE and college requirements, visit the Office of Student Affairs.

Q: Does the University of Maryland accept AP credits?
A: Yes. To receive equivalent course credit, students generally must earn a minimum score of 4 on Advanced Placement exams. The university also accepts International Baccalaureate (IB) credit and will grant exemptions form Fundamental English and Math based on SAT scores (670 Verbal score for English exemption and 600 Math score for Math exemption). For information about specific exams and credits, consult the Undergraduate Catalog.

Q: Will I graduate in four years?
A: The university’s new retention policy states that full-time students are expected to complete the university’s undergraduate programs in four years and complete 30 credits per year. Successful, timely degree completion is the responsibility of students, who are supported in developing and meeting their academic goals by campus faculty, advisors and administrators. Effective Fall 2005, all incoming freshmen should develop a four-year academic plan. All students pursing a major in the College of Arts and Humanities can use the plan as a model to help guide their individual progress toward completing their degree. Students will receive a template for an academic plan at orientation and then work with college and departmental advisors to chart their progress toward fulfillment of the plan. For more information and to review plans by major, visit www.arhu.umd.edu/academicplans

Q: Can a student earn a double major?
A: Yes. Earning a double major at the University of Maryland is very common. Any student can earn a double major or double degree, and the majors do not have to be in the same college or school. For both double degrees and double majors, the transcript will show that the student completed all university, college, and major requirements for both programs. For a double degree, a student must earn a minimum of 150 credits and will receive two diplomas. The student earning a double major must complete only 120 credits and will receive only one diploma.

The possibility of completing a double major in four years depends on many factors, including how carefully a student works with advisors in planning coursework, the number of AP or IB courses a student transfers, summer school courses, the number of credits required for each program, and the possibility of overlapping major courses.

Other options to consider are Certificates and Minors. Certificates and Citations offer students an in-depth, structured course of study in a field outside of their major in approximately 21 credits for Certificates and 15 credits for Minors. Both of these accomplishments will be noted on a student's transcript. Click here for a complete list of Certificates and Minors available in the College of Arts and Humanities.

Q: Are there study abroad programs?
A: Yes. Students can choose from approximately 30 different Maryland-sponsored summer, winter, semester, and year-long study abroad programs and exchanges in countries all over the world. Students may also participate in a large number of programs sponsored by other universities. For Maryland programs, some concentrate on language skills while others emphasize academic subjects. Students can use study abroad to earn credit toward CORE and possibly major requirements. Visit the Study Abroad Office for more information.

Q: What kind of career counseling is available to students? What is the job placement rate for ARHU majors?
A: All University of Maryland students have access to the resources in the Career Center. The Career Center also has an Arts and Humanities Program Director who specializes in working with liberal arts students. The Career Center offers career development services, career counseling, workshops, courses, special programs, a Career and Employment Resource Room, an extensive web site (www.careercenter.umd.edu), and a Credentials File Service in support of graduate school and employment applications. The Center also assists students with locating part-time, internship, cooperative education, graduate assistantships, and full-time employment opportunities through job and career fairs, on-campus interviewing, resume referral, and job listings.

The college itself sponsors career fairs and workshops for ARHU students, provides information on internships, and maintains a Career Resource Annex for all students in the college. For more information about careers for Arts and Humanities majors, visit our Career Resources site.

From graduation surveys, we learn that approximately one third of our students have full-time jobs at the time of graduation and one third have been admitted to graduate school in all areas and disciplines: law, education, business, medicine, social work, library science, health, management, humanities, and arts.. Another third either plan to travel before attending graduate school or working, or continue to seek full-time employment.

Q: What is the average class size at Maryland? How many classes do graduate students teach?
A: Due to the inherent nature of arts and humanities disciplines, ARHU class sizes are very small, averaging 25.8. We are also proud that our college has a 12:1 student:faculty ratio. First-year students will enroll in a combination of large and small classes--large lecture classes with smaller discussion sections, often led by trained graduate teaching assistants, as well as small classes such as Freshman Writing. Classes also become smaller as students enter their major during their Junior and Senior years. First-year students in the College of Arts and Humanities enroll in another small class, UNIV 101. This two-credit orientation course is designed to support students in their transition to campus focusing on study skills, time management, cultural diversity, and campus support services. It also introduces students to computer and technology resources and research.

Graduate teaching assistants teach approximately one third of lower level courses offered in our college. Teaching assistants in ARHU undergo rigorous training and are carefully supervised.

Q: What is the difference between University Honors, Honors Humanities, Gemstone, and College Park Scholars?
A: All of these programs offer challenging and enriching opportunities for the university's most talented students. In each program, students benefit form special residences, guest presentations, close contact with faculty, special field trips, and the myriad opportunities of the Baltimore/Washington area.

University Honors is a two-year program that offers students the opportunity to select courses from approximately 65 challenging seminars and as many special "Honors versions" of departmental courses. Students in Honors Humanities, a two-year living/learning program, are a part of University Honors and can enroll in Honors seminars and courses, but focus their studies on the humanities and pursue an individual research project. University Honors and Honors Humanities are ideal for students seeking to take charge of their own academic journeys.

University Honors students with varied interests are invited to participate in Gemstone, a program that integrates technological and social issues into research projects spanning all four undergraduate years. Gemstone brings together multidisciplinary teams of students from diverse majors, from the hard sciences to the humanities, who work with faculty mentors to undertake multi-year research projects examining issues of major societal importance.

College Park Scholars, another two-year living/learning program, emphasizes integrated coursework with other students with similar intellectual interests in such focus areas or themes as Arts, American Cultures, International Studies, Environmental Studies, Media, Self and Society, and others.

None of these programs require students to declare any particular major. Students are invited into these programs based on their application for admission to the university, and students who successfully complete these programs receive a Citation on their transcript.

Q: Are there opportunities to participate in the performing arts without declaring a performing arts major? Do majors have to audition?
A: There are numerous choral and instrumental ensembles and dance and theatrical productions and organizations in which students can participate, regardless of major. Auditions for such opportunities are open to the entire campus community. For students wishing to major in the performing arts, the School of Music requires an audition; the Departments of Dance and Theatre do not require an audition. However, incoming freshmen declaring a performing arts major can audition for CAPA, the Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship. This scholarship awards full in-state tuition based on talent. For more information about CAPA, contact the Dance, Theatre, or Music programs directly.

Q: How can I combine my ARHU major with Education?
A: Currently, French, German, Russian, Spanish, History, English, and Art majors can become certified to teach in the State of Maryland by pursuing a double major with Secondary Education; contact the College of Education for more information. Additional Secondary Education majors include English/Speech and English/Theatre. In addition, there are opportunities to explore teaching careers without a second major. These include: the College of Education's Certificate and Minor programs; the Chillum Internship Program where arts and humanities majors receive credit to teach their major subjects to elementary school children; and the Department of English's Literacy Internship Program.