Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

BA in Comm. & Digital Studies

Bachelor of Arts
University of Mary Washington


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
Click here for Details
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree Students who pursue the Communication and Digital Studies major will develop the critical tools to study and use digital technology to effectively communicate in a dynamic new media environment.  The interdisciplinary major provides students with the means to navigate the rapidly changing nature of both communication networks and the world they live in. 
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Public Speaking and Small Group Communication are both a good start. There are a number of VCCS courses that have also been pre-approved to count as electives in the CDS major.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and University of Mary Washington within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree As an interdisciplinary major, the CDS major provides a great deal of flexibility for students to develop their own area of expertise. It is also easier to double major with CDS and a number of other programs as they can have nine common credits count between the two majors
Program Successes & Highlights Our students complete a research methods course and a senior seminar, and they develop a strong set of communication and critical thinking skills. Our graduates have been admitted to graduate programs across the country, many with assistantship funding offers, and other graduates have had strong job placement in areas including business, journalism, social media management, and communications.
Program Credit Requirements
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Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
  • Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
  • View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between University of Mary Washington and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Germanna Community College Institutional Partnership Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement
Germanna Community College Concurrent Enrollment Concurrent Enrollment Agreement
Northern Virginia Community College Institutional Partnership Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement
Rappahannock Community College Institutional Partnership Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement
Richard Bland College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and Richard Bland College
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Central Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Germanna Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Brightpoint Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
New River Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Tidewater Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Virginia Western Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System
Wytheville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admissions Agreement between University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completing the appropriate transfer degree through VCCS allows students to enter the university as a junior with nearly all general education requirements satisfied.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for guaranteed admission programs and must complete 3 college specific general education courses. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Credit for Prior Learning UMW accepts AP, IB and CLEP results for college credit if the scores earned meets college expectations. Enter your test scores into the portal to see if scores will earn credit.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: University of Mary Washington
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
482
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
71% of transfer applicants were admitted across three programs. Avg GPA for admitted transfers was 3.1027.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? UMW is a perfectly sized university of 3,700 undergraduates that blends opportunity with community. Set in Fredericksburg, our park-like campus for both residential and commuter students is located fifty miles south of Washington, DC and fifty miles north of Richmond, VA. Fredericksburg is one of the most southern final stops on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) which has allowed convenient commuter access to DC for internship experiences while studying at UMW. Founded more than 100 years ago, UMW currently offers 80 majors, minors, and programs through our College of Business, Colleges of Education, and College of Arts and Sciences.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Declare intent to transfer to UMW by completing the “GAA Student Letter of Intent form” available at the Office of Admissions website after a minimum of 15 credits towards the transfer associate degree is completed at the community college and before applying for graduation from the community college
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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This program could not be matched to any related careers. Please contact the institution for assistance with matching this program to careers.

Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 0 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at University of Mary Washington
These costs are based on an estimated 0 semesters or 0 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $0 Per Semester $0 $0 $0 7,422.50 (Tuition for a full-time status of 12 - 18 credit hours)
Fees
Mandatory Fee $0 Per Semester $0 0 $0 $30 (Mandatory Processing Fee)
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • New Student Programs and Arrival Fee
    • $400 (The New Student Programs and Arrival Fee covers costs associated with new student arrival in Fall and the first-year (transfer) experience)
    • $200 T(he New Student Programs and Arrival Fee covers costs associated with new student arrival in Spring and the first-year (transfer) experience)
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.