The University’s individual academic departments have set forth requirements that must be met in order to complete a major in a given area of study. For specific major requirements, students should consult the appropriate departmental section of this catalog and their academic advisors.
Each major and minor has its own minimum number of required hours. To fulfill a major generally involves a minimum of 36 credit hours of course work. To earn a minor in a subject, a minimum of 18 semester hours, according to departmental specifications, must be met. For courses completed outside the major or minor, an overall grade point average of “C” is necessary for graduation. PSYC 205 and HUEC 203 are similar courses, taught in different departments for their majors. Students may have credit for one or the other but not both courses.
Major Core Requirements
A grade of “C” or better is required in every course counted toward the major and/or minor.
Supporting Area Requirements
A grade point average of “C” or better is required for the group of courses representing the supportive area requirements.
General Education Requirements (Gen Ed Curriculum Area)
A minimum of 40 credits is required.
All students are expected to complete a common body of academic course work. The General Education Requirements are designed to promote the development of a comprehensive educational base that will effectively support a student’s choice of a major concentration. Deviations from the General Education Requirements may occur in certain areas owing to specific requirements of the major. Therefore, students should consult with their freshman or departmental advisors when making course selections. See Course Descriptions for descriptions of courses in General Education. Fundamentals courses and MATH 101 do not meet the General Education Requirement and do not apply toward graduation requirements. General Education Requirements are distributed as follows:
Curriculum Area I - Arts and Humanities: Credits 9
One course in each of two different disciplines (A - D): Curriculum Area II - Social and Behavioral Sciences: Credits 6
Students must select one course in each of two disciplines: Discipline A: Social Sciences
Discipline B: Behavioral Sciences
Curriculum Area III - Biological and Physical Sciences: Credits 7-8
Students must select two science courses and one science laboratory course from the following: Additional Information:
Students in Agriculture, Engineering, Exercise Science, Human Ecology Physician Assistant and Rehabilitation Services only must select from the following: Curriculum Area IV – Mathematics: Credits 3-8
MATH 101 does not satisfy the General Education Requirement or count towards graduation. Student must attain a grade of “C” or better to pass MATH 101 . One course at or above the level of College Algebra: Curriculum Area V - English Composition: Credits 9
Curriculum Area VI - Emerging Issues: Credits 1-7
Courses identified as being essential to a full program of general education for UMES students. This course is required of all students: Additional Requirements:
In addition, students must consult with their departmental advisor for any additional Emerging Issues course requirement (up to 6 additional credits). Students may select from the following three-credit courses: Total Required for General Education: Credits 40-43
Degree Requirements It is the responsibility of departments to publish clearly defined degree requirements. Responsibility for knowing and meeting all degree requirements for graduation in any curriculum rests with the student. Students should check with the departmental academic advisor to ascertain their standing in this respect no later than the close of the junior year. For this purpose, the student should review their academic requirement report and print an unofficial transcript from HawkWeb at the end of each semester. Ordinarily, all students must take their final thirty (30) credit hours at UMES. Under extraordinary circumstances, the Provost may grant permission to take a maximum of six hours of the final thirty (30) hours on another campus. However, in no case does this permission waive the minimum residence requirement of 30 semester hours. Academic requirements for graduation are a minimum of 120 semester credit hours (some programs may require additional credit hours) with a “C” (2.00) cumulative average, excluding remedial courses and MATH 101 . Second and Double Baccalaureate Degree Requirements A student who has already received one baccalaureate degree may receive a second degree from UMES by completing 30 credits at UMES, provided the total number of credits of the first and second degrees combined is at least 150 credits. In no case will a second baccalaureate be awarded to a student who has not completed the last 30 hours at UMES. A student who wishes to receive two baccalaureate degrees from UMES simultaneously must complete the regularly prescribed degree requirements of each program and complete a minimum of 150 credits. Candidates for a double degree must file a formal program outline with the departments involved. The program outline must include the courses required to fulfill each major and supporting area, as well as the general education and elective requirements of both curricula. A copy of the program outline showing all requirements for each degree must be filed with the Office of the Registrar. If the double degree involves two different departments, the student must designate which department is responsible for maintenance of records. No course in either curriculum used to satisfy a major or supporting area requirement may be used to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Undergraduate Degree Programs
UMES offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S), and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees. In addition, there are many options and specialties that are described in the catalog sections pertaining to each academic program.
All four-year degree programs at the University require a minimum of 120 semester hours with the exception of Professional Golf Management. Semester hour requirements beyond 120 credits have already received prior approval from the USM Board of Regents.
Students who complete one or more of the courses of study offered by the University will be awarded the degree as indicated by the academic department.
Accreditation and Professional Memberships
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. UMES is accredited by or hold membership in the following agencies:
- American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training (ACSCPT);
- American Council for Construction Education (ACCE);
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International);
- Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association;
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE);
- Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE);
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE);
- National Council for Social Sciences (NCSS);
- National Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE);
- National Science Teachers Association (NSTA); and,
- Professional Golfers’ Association of America;
- Accreditation Commission on Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), and
UMES recently received full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
The University is recognized by the University Aviation Association (UAA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Membership is held by the University with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the National Council of Educational Opportunity Association (NCEOA), the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAEOHE), the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), the American Council on Education (ACE), and the National American Association of Summer Sessions, the American Association for Teacher Education (AACTE), and the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE).
The Honors Program
Mission
The primary mission of the Honors Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is to offer high achieving and motivated undergraduates the opportunity to participate in student-centered learning experiences that promote intellectual growth, cultural appreciation, professional focus, leadership development and civic participation.
The Honors Program also serves the entire University by enhancing the intellectual life of the campus, helping students prepare for graduate and professional school, and providing a locus for curricular experimentation.
Facilitating the entry of those from underrepresented groups within the state of Maryland is a further priority.
Admission
Admission to the Honors Program is competitive and by separate application. Students may apply for admission into the Honors Program as incoming freshmen, transfer students, or as a student already matriculated at the University who has earned fifty-five (55) or fewer credit hours. Interested students must first complete an application and be admitted to UMES. Following admission to the University, students seeking admission to the Honors Program must complete an application and provide supporting materials, including transcript(s); SAT/ACT test scores; letters of recommendation; a résumé detailing leadership roles, service contributions, awards and honors earned, and co-curricular activities; and an essay that addresses how the student intends to benefit by membership in the Honors Program and what talents, expertise and experiences the student hopes to contribute to the campus community. Students must also sign and return the Honors Membership Agreement. Eligibility criteria, application forms and membership agreements may be obtained from the Honors Program office or the “Forms Library” of its website at www.umes.edu/honors. All applicants admitted to the program are eligible and may apply for one of several merit-based scholarships. Application deadlines for program admission and scholarships are also posted on the website.
Program of Study
To qualify for graduation with University Honors, students must satisfy all terms of the Honors Program Membership Agreement and complete the requisite coursework, as detailed in the Honors Program of Study. The following academic criteria (“Program of Study”) must be satisfied:
Completion of at least twenty-four (24) total hours of Honors coursework, to include:
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Credits |
Courses |
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3 |
HONR 101 : Honors Freshman Seminar ; |
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3-6 |
HONR 201 : Honors Sophomore Seminar; or
HONR 301 : Honors Junior Seminar; |
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3-9 |
HONR 496 : Senior Honors Thesis / Capstone; |
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6 |
Major department honors course credits (excluding HONR 496 ) |
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The balance of course credits may be obtained by satisfactory completion of:
- honors sections of general education courses;
- honors versions of major/minor degree courses;
- additional HONR seminars (HONR 201 : Honors Sophomore Seminar; HONR 301 : Honors Junior Seminar);
- graduate coursework completed for undergraduate credit;
- a pre-approved international experience (with prior written approval of the Director of the Honors Program, one-half of hours earned through participation in a credit-bearing study abroad program will articulate as honors credits).
Students are also eligible to receive “Honors Course Credit by Contract,” a process by which the student earns honors credit for completion of a standard curriculum course. This process is by application and pre-approval only. Guidelines and forms are available on the Honors website. Students may complete a maximum of six (6) contracted honors hours in fulfillment of their honors Program of Study.
The Honors Program has scholarship available to students who have been selected to participate in the program. For further information, please contact the Honors Program at (410) 651-6082 or use the following link to access a list: www.umes.edu/Honors/Default.aspx?id=34524
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