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Academic Support Services

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Library and Learning Services

Center for Teaching and Learning

The Undeclared Major

University Studies Program

Career and Internship Services

Student Access Services

Library and Learning Services

Dean: Dr. Zary Mostashari

Library and Learning Services facilitates learning, teaching, scholarship, and lifelong learning opportunities by providing Marymount University students, faculty, staff, and the community with access to information and a variety of educational support services. Its facilities are the Emerson G. Reinsch Library and the Ballston Center library extension.

Emerson G. Reinsch Library

The Emerson G. Reinsch Library is an integral part of the learning resources of the University. The collection and services reflect both the curricula and the general informational needs of the University community. It offers

a collection of more than 237,000 volumes in print or electronic format
access to more than 38,000 journals in print or electronic form
more than 160 online information resources — many of which are full text — available on or off campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
library research instruction through class-based presentations, workshop, or individual appointments
reference assistance in person, by phone, via instant messaging, or by email
Internet access on more than 80 public computers, which includes PCs and Macs; access to many software packages on most public computers
group study rooms throughout the Library, including an electronic viewing room equipped for students to practice group presentations and a video viewing room
Overdue Brew coffee bar
black-and-white photocopiers, public scanners, and printers
microform readers
laptops and netbooks that can be checked out for use in the Library
wireless access to the Marymount network

The Library’s goal is to respond to the changing needs of students, faculty, and staff who comprise the University community. Library faculty and staff work closely with colleagues in academic departments to ensure that the Library’s resources and services meet the needs of the Marymount community.

Marymount University’s membership in the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) allows students and faculty members to borrow from the collections of American University, The Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Trinity University, and the University of the District of Columbia. Library consortium members share an online catalog of collections, and loan requests are made online and delivered to the student’s home institution or via the Internet. Interlibrary loan requests from libraries throughout the United States can be arranged if materials are unavailable in the collection.

Center for Teaching and Learning

The Center for Teaching and Learning provides a variety of programs for Marymount students and faculty that promote student success and support student learning. The Center is staffed by academic counselors and specialists in teaching and learning, writing, instructional technology and design, disability and access services, and advising. The Center offers the following services:

one-on-one tutoring and group study sessions led by trained graduate and undergraduate peer tutors for math, writing, and many academic subjects;
resources and mentoring for first-year and transfer students new to Marymount;
workshops, coaching, and outreach for students who need assistance to achieve greater success;
assistance for students preparing applications for graduate school, honors and awards, and distinguished scholarships;
testing for students with disability accommodations;
advising for students who are undeclared, enrolled in the University Studies program, have nondegree status, or are in transition between programs. The Center also offers walk-in course scheduling assistance for all students.

The Undeclared Major

Some students are uncertain of their choice of major and choose to enter the University as undeclared. For such students, the Center for Teaching and Learning facilitates the process of choosing a major. Beginning studies as an undeclared major allows students to take time for careful reflection in selecting a major that best suits their interests and abilities.

Undeclared students must choose a major by the end of their sophomore year because traditionally a student’s junior and senior years are devoted to taking classes within the major. The Center encourages undeclared students to begin narrowing down their potential majors following the conclusion of the freshman year.

Typically, there are three types of undeclared students, each with a different suggested first-year course plan.

Undeclared Major Option 1

This option should be chosen by students who are open to many possibilities or have no clear idea about how to choose a major. The focus will be on taking classes required for the Liberal Arts Core.

Year One — Fall

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Humanities (FNA, HI-1, LT-1) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Explore elective**

Year One — Spring

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Explore elective**

Undeclared Major Option 2

This should be chosen by students who are able to narrow down their choice of major to two or three possibilities. In addition to taking Liberal Arts Core requirements, these students will take introductory courses in several fields of interest.

Year One — Fall

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Humanities (FNA, HI-1, LT-1) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Explore elective**

Year One — Spring

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Humanities (FNA, HI-1, LT-1) core course*

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Explore elective**

Undeclared Major Option 3

This should be chosen by students who are able to narrow down their choice of major to two or three possibilities, and at least one of those choices is a field that is mathematics or science intensive. In addition to taking Liberal Arts Core requirements, these students will take introductory mathematics and science courses. This will give students an opportunity to evaluate their aptitude in these disciplines.

Year One — Fall

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Mathematics (MT) core course*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Mathematics or Natural Science course

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Explore elective**

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

** Explore electives should be selected from courses in the subject area(s) in which the student is considering a major.

University Studies Program

The University Studies program is designed for undergraduate students who show academic potential, but have not met the academic standards required for regular admission to the University. The program also assists those students who would benefit from intensive advising and mentoring. The program equips students with the tools needed to be successful and prepares them to qualify for enrollment in one of the University’s degree programs.

Students in the University Studies program undertake a foundation curriculum and receive significant support services. They also benefit from the guidance of an academic advisor to become self-reliant and successful learners.

As with many University support services, the University Studies program works collaboratively with other campus offices. The program proactively provides referrals to the Office of Student Development and the Counseling Center.

In their first semester, University Studies students will take 13-15 credits in academic subjects required by the Liberal Arts Core. Completing the Liberal Arts Core is a requirement for every degree program in the University, thus the student will be fulfilling requirements regardless of the major he or she will ultimately choose. The student’s schedule will be a balance of intellectual challenges that provide a firm foundation for subsequent academic success.

Declaring a Major

A student in the University Studies program may request placement in a degree program after achieving the prescribed grade point average, demonstrating competency in foundation courses, and being recommended by the program director. To become part of a degree program, a University Studies student must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 after two regular full-time semesters of coursework. Some programs have additional requirements for which applicants undergo review by a faculty admission committee. The dean of the School that offers the desired program must also approve the admission of the student. The student will be informed of these requirements during his or her meetings with the University Studies program director as soon as he or she identifies a major of interest. The selection of a degree program will occur toward the conclusion of the student’s first year.

The University Studies program is designed to enable students to complete degree requirements within the standard time frame for any academic program. Some students, however, may take longer based on requirements in the major selected, successful completion of core courses, and the length of time spent with University Studies. Requirements in specific courses and sequencing of the program in which the student intends to enroll may also affect graduation dates. Consistent progress toward degree completion is the ultimate goal of the program.

Students may remain in the University Studies program for a maximum of three semesters.

Career and Internship Services

Outstanding internship experiences are available throughout the Washington area with corporations, government agencies, schools, hospitals, and retail establishments. Marymount University is committed to helping students identify and secure appropriate internship opportunities, and supports this goal through its Center for Career Services (CCS). The Center offers the tools to equip students with the search and identification process.

The Center offers frequent workshops and programs on establishing educational goals suited to career and internship plans, choosing careers, developing a résumé and cover letters, supporting internship site selection, gaining employment, and interviewing. Career advisors provide individual guidance, career advising and coaching, and vocational assessments.

Faculty advisors and academic internship mentors work in collaboration with the Center to help students prepare for and successfully complete an internship. The internship is a structured work experience, supervised by a faculty mentor, that allows students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a concrete situation that is new to the student.

Undergraduate students who have advanced in their major complete an internship during the junior or senior year. Some programs permit substitution of 300/400-level research-based experiential coursework within the student’s major for the internship. Waiver of the internship for a research experience may be authorized only by the dean of the student’s School.

Students register for a 3- or 6-credit internship course within their major, and most are graded on a pass/fail basis. Students must be registered for the internship during the semester that the internship takes place, including summer. Students enrolled in a teaching licensure program fulfill the internship requirement through a 6-credit student-teaching experience during a fall or spring semester.

The internship experience builds on Marymount’s core curriculum and each student’s academic major by offering students real-world experience in their field. While enrolled in their internship, students explore career interests; improve their understanding of the responsibilities required of a profession; apply critical thinking, oral and written communication, and teamwork in an organizational setting; and network with professionals in their areas of interest.

Student Access Services

Student Access Services (SAS) are available for all eligible students. The director of SAS assists students with disabilities in determining reasonable accommodations and is available throughout the year for information, referrals, and advising. SAS complements, but does not duplicate, services offered to all students through other campus offices.

To receive services from SAS, the student must give the director typewritten documentation from a qualified professional that describes the clearly diagnosed disability and its current functional impact on the student relative to academics. Marymount does not provide testing and/or diagnosis, but will make appropriate referrals.

The types of accommodations a student is eligible to receive are determined on a case-by-case basis by the student and the director using information contained in the student’s documentation. Students wishing to receive accommodations must develop a Faculty Contact Sheet (FCS) with the director of Student Access Services. This should occur at the beginning of each semester. However, students may consult with the director at any point during the academic year. The student must then present this contact sheet to each of his/her instructors and discuss the accommodations documented on the FCS. This document helps students and instructors work together to develop effective accommodation strategies. Some accommodations made in the past have included allowing extended time for examinations; the use of readers, volunteer note-takers, and sign language interpreters; and the option to tape record lectures.

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