Special Programs in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences offers several special programs to enhance student learning and opportunities.
Ensemble Programs
The St. Mary’s University Music Department offers a wide variety of performing instrumental ensembles for students interested in furthering their music making abilities, while also participating in the full university experience. Each band is comprised of students from the department of music as well as the many other fantastic departments around campus. Scholarship opportunities are available to students performing in the Bands at St. Mary’s University and are open to music majors, music minors, as well as students from other degree plans wishing to perform with the ensembles. The Concert Band and Jazz Orchestra perform in Treadaway Hall, while the Rattler Band performs in the fun and exciting venue of Greehey Arena. Alumni of the Bands at St. Mary’s have gone on to become professional musicians, incredible music educators, as well as highly successful doctors, engineers, business people, and more.
Latin America/U.S. Latino Studies Program
This non-degree program is made up of a consortium of faculty who teach courses and/or conduct research related to Latin America and/or Latino Studies. The faculty represent multiple fields, including Anthropology, Economics, English, Languages, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology. The courses are designated to provide students the intellectual base for understanding the dynamic historical and contemporary development of Hispanic peoples and cultures in the Americas. Students who take these courses will gain the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to understand, analyze and conduct research in preparation for future employment and/or graduate school.
For more information about this program, contact Rick Sperling, Ph.D., at 210-436-3723 or rsperling@stmarytx.edu.
ROTC
The Department of Military Science at St. Mary’s University is a senior division Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) maintained by the U.S. Army. ROTC allows students to attend a university while taking courses that prepare them to become an Army officer. ROTC offers two, three and four-year scholarships to qualified student-athlete leader students. Students who successfully complete the ROTC program and receive a degree commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve or the Army National Guard.
Pre-Law Program
The Pre-Law Program at St. Mary’s University provides undergraduate students with information and opportunities to enhance their chances for admission to law school and prepare them for successful legal careers.
The Pre-Law Program provides:
- Assistance with designing a Pre-Law academic plan
- Advice on undergraduate curriculum
- Guidance on law school application timetables
- Help with letters of recommendation and personal statements
- Law school selection assistance
- Information about taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Support to members of Phi Alpha Delta (the pre-law student organization) for their academic efforts, professional networking and community service
- Information about law school forums
- Faculty interaction and mentoring on legal career opportunities
Pre-law advisers at St. Mary’s can also provide students with more information about Guaranteed Admission to St. Mary’s School of Law and the Nelson Wolff Law Early Admission Program, a program where students earn their undergraduate and law degree in six years. For information regarding admission to the St. Mary’s School of Law, please contact Law School Admissions at lawadmissions@stmarytx.edu.
Women’s Studies Program
The non-degree program is made up of a consortium of faculty who teach courses and/or conduct research related to Women’s Studies. The faculty represent multiple fields, including English, English Communication, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology. The courses are designed to educate and prepare students to lead lives based upon peace, justice and service, by exploring the role of gender in shaping the human condition locally and globally. Students who take these courses will gain the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to understand, analyze and conduct research in preparation for future employment and/or graduate school.
For more information about the Women’s Studies Program, contact Sonia Garcia, Ph.D., at 210-431-2114 or sgarcia@stmarytx.edu.
StMU Theatre
All the Drama Department’s productions are conducted under the auspices of its theatre company, StMU Theatre. It serves the campus community and beyond with a variety of performances and workshops throughout the academic year.