Director: Dr. Robert M. Otten
Academic Counselors: Ms. Jameela Anderson, Ms. Abby Bullinger
The Academic Success Center (ASC) at Marymount University assists students in setting and achieving their academic goals. The Center offers academic advising to students who prefer the advantages of entering the University as an undeclared major. The Center also prepares students in the University Studies program for admission to a degree program.
Some students are uncertain of their choice of major and choose to enter the University as undeclared. For such students the Academic Success Center facilitates the process of choosing a major. Beginning studies as an undeclared major allows the student to take time for careful reflection in selecting a major that best suits his/her interests and abilities.
An undeclared student must choose a major by the end of his or her sophomore year because traditionally a student’s junior and senior years are devoted to taking classes within the major. The ASC 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.
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.
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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.
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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 sciences courses. This will give the student an opportunity to evaluate his/her aptitude in these disciplines.
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*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Explore electives: These should be selected from courses in the subject area(s) in which the student is considering a major.
The University Studies Program prepares students who have not met regular University admission criteria and require intensive academic coaching in order to prepare for admittance in a degree program.
All University Studies students will be enrolled in a mandatory one-credit seminar course, emphasizing academic success strategies and critical thinking. The course is designed to improve basic skills, encourage self-reflection about academic strengths and interests, and help students become part of a supportive learning community.
In their first semester, University Studies students will take no more than 13 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.
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.