Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Digital Studies

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for COMMUNICATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission to University of Mary Washington

• Earn a transfer associate’s degree

• Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for your associate’s degree

• Earn grades of "C" or higher in all courses to be eligible to transfer those credits

• Create an account through www.TransferVirginia.org portal to register your intent

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://www.umw.edu/admissions/transfer/

• Register Intent to Transfer: After first 15 credits, complete form and submit to admit@umw.edu for application fee waiver

• Admission Application: Apply by October 15 for spring, March 1 for summer, April 1 for fall

• Financial Aid: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/

• FAFSA: Apply by April 1 at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites

• UMW requires proficiency in a second language. This can be satisfied by completing four years in high school, transferring credits, or completing through 201 level at UMW. American Sign Language is accepted

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and UMW within your first year

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The CDS major enhances understanding of and skill in oral communication by introducing students to communication theories

• CDS Majors develop critical tools to study and use digital technology to effectively communicate

• Coursework focuses on new theoretical directions in digital studies

• CDS courses help students develop durable skills that employers are looking for including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and research

• As a truly interdisciplinary major, CDS majors can easily double-major or add a minor in host of other disciplines

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Transfer students with VCCS transferable associate degree have completed UMW general education requirements except second language competency, digital intensive, diverse and global perspectives, After Mary Washington, and beyond the classroom requirements

• Dual Enrollment: Students participating in dual enrollment are considered freshman applicants. Dual enrollment status does not affect transferability of courses

• Credit for Prior Learning: UMW accepts credit for AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and other qualifying coursework

• Catalog Year: Students must complete general education requirements associated with academic year they enroll at UMW

Is This College Right For Me?

• UMW campus is gorgeous, green, and full of opportunity

• UMW is a small university in Fredericksburg, VA with small class sizes

• UMW offers high impact experiences beyond the classroom with faculty committed to collaboration

• UMW is located between Washington, DC, and Richmond, VA in largest technology corridor in Virginia with multitude of internship opportunities

Did You Know That…

• UMW has co-enrollment agreement with Germanna Community College allowing students to take up to five courses at UMW

• Completing your associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you have exhausted your financial aid

Program Successes & Highlights

• CDS offers a record number of academic internships in variety of workplaces

• Majors have gone on to graduate study in many of top graduate programs in the country

• CDS majors have opportunity to conduct research with faculty members

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• With an associate’s degree and 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA, you may qualify for UMW’s Guaranteed Admissions Agreement

• Each fall, UMW enrolls approximately 300 students from VCCS and other schools

Do More With Your Degree!

• Most students have an internship at some point during their time at UMW

• CDS majors often work with offices and programs across campus to manage social media, produce video projects, and communication campaigns

• Department sponsors chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, official academic honor society of National Communication Association

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• Students must earn at least 30 credits at UMW as a degree-seeking student (not including physical education credits)

• Students must earn a GPA of 2.0 in both major and overall coursework to complete degree