History
Founded in 1908 and named for the mother of our country’s founding father, we have built a rich history of traditions and accomplished academic excellence. We have evolved from our beginnings as Fredericksburg’s State Normal and Industrial School for Women to one of the nation’s premier, selective public liberal arts and sciences universities today.
Education
The University of Mary Washington’s College of Education is committed to guiding all candidates through a transformative experience by which they become skilled, reflective and responsive practitioners well-prepared to meet 21st century challenges.
The College of Education of the University of Mary Washington prepares educators for the 21st century who are knowledgeable, skilled, collaborative, reflective, and sensitive to diverse learner needs. In upholding the mission of the University, the College of Education is dedicated to providing educational programs to the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.
Research
We offer students the opportunity to undertake individual or collaborative research projects in the pursuit of a well-rounded liberal arts and sciences education. We are proud to provide several excellent research facilities and collections of scholarly materials to support our students and enrich these educational undertakings.
Distance Learning Courses
Business & Management (1)
Housing services
The University of Mary Washington believes that living on campus is an integral part of a student’s complete educational experience; therefore, all full-time students who are admitted as residential students in their first year are required to live on campus for two full academic years. Transfer students admitted in the fall as residential students are required to live on campus for two semesters, and transfer students admitted in the spring as residential students are required to live on campus for one semester.
Library services
The UMW Libraries constitute the knowledge center of the university - a physical and virtual manifestation of the institution’s mission of connected and engaged teaching, learning, research, and service. Specifically, the Libraries are:
- spaces where people collaborate, gather, research, and share
- technology- and human-enabled engines, showcases, and catalysts of innovation
ICT services
Located in on the first floor of the HCC in room 112, the IT Help Desk provides centralized technology support to faculty, staff and students. Services include assistance with password resets, connections to UMW systems, repair of computers and AV systems in labs and classrooms, and troubleshooting hardware issues. Phone and walk-up service is available during our operating hours.
Medical services
The Student Health Center (SHC) is a weekday health clinic for UMW students. Our care focuses on routine and acute health care needs of our student population. This would include initial diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and/or injuries with appropriate follow up for most short-term illnesses.
Campus life
The striking North Building atrium and 2,700 square foot divisible University Hall with a catering kitchen and IT/AV control room accommodates up to 250 guests seated theater-style and up to 200 guests seated banquet/meeting style. State-of-the-art instructional technology systems, video conferencing capabilities, and wired and wireless internet access are available throughout the buildings that host upwards of 150 professional events each year in addition to academic classes and professional development programs for educators and business professionals.
Sports facilities
UMW sport clubs are student-run organizations that are open to all full-time University of Mary Washington students, regardless of skill level. The clubs are advised by the Department of Campus Recreation and are designed to provide recreational, instructional, and competitive opportunities for students. All clubs are open to men and women unless otherwise indicated. Whether recreational or competitive, there’s a UMW sport club for everyone. The qualifications to participate in a sport club are little, but the value gained from this experience is great.
Student clubs
The University of Mary Washington offers more than 150 clubs and organizations for students. Participation in clubs, programming, and other activities outside classes helps to develop democratic principles and critical thinking skills that make our students the best leaders and citizens they can be.
- The University of Mary Washington is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
- The UMW Chemistry program has been approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) to offer certified degrees in chemistry.
- The baccalaureate degree in nursing at the University of Mary Washington is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.