Notable Academic Programs

Pre-Med, Pre-Law, and Other Pre-Professional Programs

Many St. Mary's students consider careers in professional fields such as medicine, the law, and business. Our pre-professional programs work with interested students throughout their four years by providing academic advice, career exploration, and help applying to profession programs.

The Health Sciences Advisory Committee (HSAC) advises all students with an interest in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, osteopathy, optometry, podiatry, or other health sciences. It also provides recommendations for students to graduate or medical schools. All students interested in health care are strongly encouraged to prepare for this goal early in their undergraduate career by contacting the advisory committee. In the last four years, 91% of students applying to medical school with the help of the HSAC have been accepted.

The Pre-Law Advisory Network, (P.L.A.N.) helps students plan for law school. There is no prescribed course of study that will best prepare students to do well in the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or to succeed in law school. Rather, law schools recommend a rigorous course of study that will enable a student to develop skills in problem-solving, communication (both oral and written), analysis, and synthesis. Recent alums are studying law at Duke, Georgetown, and William & Mary among many others.

Nitze Scholars Program

The Nitze Scholars Program is designed for highly motivated students with exceptional academic potential and a proven record of leadership and service. The program attracts students with a passionate commitment to the communal enterprise of learning and a desire to extend their quest of knowledge into a commitment to the public good. The program includes a series of thematically organized interdisciplinary courses and a study-tour abroad experience. Participation is by invitation to apply from the Nitze Scholars Committee. For more information, contact Dr. Michael S. Taber, Director, Paul H. Nitze Scholars Program

Student-Designed Major

Would You Like To Design Your Own Major? That's what Amanda Smith '07 is doing for her major in "Psychology, Media, and Marketing." She is studying economics and psychology at St. Mary's and spending one semester on media courses at New York University. Amanda's work is also an example of a St. Mary's Project (SMP) that most students complete as a "capstone" experience in their senior year.

Study Abroad

St. Mary's College of Maryland offers semester and year-long international exchange programs, study tours, and international internship opportunities. Participation in our signature programs at Oxford in England, Alba in Italy, Shanghai in China, or The Gambia in West Africa is at about the same cost as attending St. Mary's. Click here for more information about studying abroad.

For Maggie Dimock '06, a sociology/anthropology and history double major, studying abroad changed her life. After a summer study-tour to Greece, she sepnt a semester in the Czech Republic.

Maggie (center) with fellow St. Mary's students who visited her in Prague. Ayse Ikizler (left) spent a semester in Turkey, while Aubrey Delaney (right) studied in Spain.

Internships

The Office of Career Services provides students with a convenient, central location in which to find internships in all academic and occupational areas. This includes paid internships, unpaid internships, and internships where students may earn academic credit.

Center for the Study of Democracy

As the first capital of Maryland in the 17th century, Historic St. Mary's City is an example of the early stirrings of American democracy. The Center is a focal part of the Maryland Heritage Project—a collaborative effort between St. Mary's College and Historic St. Mary's City. Center initiatives include course offerings, visiting scholars, programs for scholars from emerging democracies, exchange opportunities and internships for St. Mary's College students, special lectures, and a publications program.