Important Things to Know

• Academic Policies and Procedures
• Admitted into GO
• Advising Newsletter
• Campus Resources
• Career Choices
• Catalog
• Core Requirements
• Dean's List
• Declaration of a Major
• Declaration of a Minor
• Electives
• GPA Calculator (Sponsored by University of Utah)
• Graduation Requirements
• Pass/Fail
• Placement Exams
• Probation
• Professors
• Registration
• Skills Workshops
• Suspension
• Tutors
• Where Does Time Go Calculator  (sponsored by Virginia Tech)
  

Admitted into GO

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Career Choices

Whether you are undeclared or not, choosing the proper career path can be overwhelming. Consider talking with someone from the Office of Career Services who can suggest inventories, books, and other resources to aid in your decision. You may also consider registering for Choices, Changes, and Careers (HRD 110), or College to Careers (HRDX 220). Please see your catalog or your advisor for more information.

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Catalog

You will need to save the catalog from your matriculation year.  It will act as a form of contract with the University, and you will be held accountable for the requirements detailed within. The requirements in your catalog are valid for 10 years from the year you were admitted to USM!

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Core Requirements

The Core curriculum (PDF file: 107k/11 pages*) at USM has been designed to provide undergraduate students with a general education, a core of skills, and knowledge that every individual needs either to be excel in professional life or to build a rich and fulfilling personal life. It is vital that students view the Core as a set of goals, not a checklist of courses. In the wider world, competency counts. The Core is designed to foster those competencies that, by wide agreement, matter the most. It can only succeed, however, where students make the goals of the Core their own.

Courses that fulfill a particular Core Requirement are followed by a letter (C-K and W). It is important to gain an understanding of the Core Requirements early in your college career for two reasons: 1. Some courses, particularly math and writing, should be taken early, and 2. In some cases the course you choose to take will depend upon your major. Please refer to your catalog and your academic advisor for more information.

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Dean's List

At the end of each semester, full-time, undergraduate degree students (12 credit hours or more) with grade point averages of 3.4 or above will be placed on the Dean's List. Those students on the list whose names appear in the public directory of the University will have their names released to the news media. Students who attend both the fall and spring semesters as part-time students and who complete a combined total of at least 12 credit hours are eligible for the Dean's List at the end of the spring semester. The eligibility requirements are the same as for full-time students except that the coursework for the entire year is considered.

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Declaration of a Major

When you are ready to declare a major, contact your academic advisor. Minimally, you will need to have completed your math and writing proficiencies, and have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Some departments, schools, and colleges have additional requirements. For example, some require a higher grade point average, and may require that you have successfully completed certain coursework and/or met with a representative of the department. Some programs may require that you complete an application form.

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Declaration of a Minor

The process for declaring a minor is essentially the same as it is for declaring a major. Contact your academic advisor or the Registrar for the appropriate form(s).

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Electives

An elective is typically a course that you choose to take and is not required to fulfill the requirements of the Core Curriculum, your major, or a minor. Electives can be taken pass/fail if you choose (contact your academic advisor for more information.) The number of electives that you should take depends upon the size of your major (and minor, if you have one.) Please see Graduation Requirements or your academic advisor for more information.

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Graduation Requirements

Students who plan to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree need to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. These credits are comprised of (minimally) the requirements of the Core Curriculum and your major. Depending on the number of credits required by your major, you will likely require additional credits in order to achieve the minimum of 120 hours. Often students are able to use these additional credits to create a minor, a second major, or to take elective courses. Contact your academic advisor early to design an academic plan that will work for you.

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Pass/Fail

You can opt to register for a course as Pass/Fail, as long as it is not required for your core, major, or minor. Up to 6 pass/fail credits can be taken per semester, with no more than 18 credits toward your entire degree. At the end of the semester, grades of A, B, C, or D will be converted to a "P", and will appear that way on your transcript. Grades of F, however, will affect your GPA.

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Placement Exams

Placement exams are designed to assess your current skill level in math or writing. The results are used to determine whether you are ready to enroll in college level courses, or if you would benefit by taking a proficiency level math or writing class first. If you would like to register to take a placement exam, contact the Office of Academic Assessment. If you have any questions, contact the office or your academic advisor directly.

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Probation

Students who do not achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average for any given semester may be placed on probation. If you are place on probation (or feel you are about to be) it is important to work with your advisor so that you can adjust your academic plan if necessary. Refer to your catalog and contact your academic advisor for more information.

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Professors

Students often ask what a professor is like in the classroom. It is good to talk to students you know and ask them for an honest opinion. Remember that professors have different styles of teaching, just like we all have different ways we prefer to learn. Often a student will like a professor for the same reason you may not. Take into consideration your own preferences: Do you prefer an atmosphere with lecture or discussion? Do you prefer multiple choice exams or essays?

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Registration

Registration for matriculated students occurs each November and April. The date you are able to register is determined by the number of credits you have completed toward graduation. In order to register, you will need your Registration Authorization Number (RAN) which is given to you when you meet with your academic advisor to discuss your course schedule.

Registration can happen in person at various registration sites, over the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) automated telephone system (207-780-5800), or online using Student Information (WebDSIS).

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Skills Workshops

The Office of Learning Foundations offers a series of free workshops every semester. The workshops are held on both campuses throughout the semester and do not require reservations. Topics may include: Note Taking, Success at Math, Time Management, Stress Management, and Test Taking.

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Suspension

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Tutors

The Office of Learning Foundations maintains a staff of trained tutors, available free of charge. Contact the office for information about subjects and times, and to reserve a time with a tutor.

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