Welcome Undergraduate Students

Hello, and welcome to the College of Liberal Arts!

Your college experience will no doubt be some of the most exciting and important years of your life. I am happy that you have decided to start your journey in the College of Liberal Arts, and I am convinced that our college can offer you a variety of majors leading to rewarding careers.

The College of Liberal Arts is the heart of the University. Every student at UMD passes through our door at least once during their academic career, and about 2100 stay and choose one of the majors we offer.

Broadly speaking, we are the College that focuses on the roots of our modern civilization, its development and direction, on our ability to think creatively and strategically, on our capability to write well and speak well, and on our responsibilities as engaged citizens of the world.

More specifically, we offer you in-depth study in 25 disciplines, including American Indian Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Criminology, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary French Studies, Geography, Geological Sciences, German Studies, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, International Studies, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Pre-law, Sociology, Spanish, Urban & Regional Studies, Writing Studies, and Women’s Studies.

We also offer Master’s level work in Advocacy and Political Leadership, Criminology, and English.

CLA thus offers you a broad educational experience, as well as many clearly defined career paths.

If you are a freshman student who has not decided on a major, we can help you make that decision. Our successful and diverse Learning Community Program for first semester undecided students will provide you with an opportunity to explore several interests, and expose you to a variety of majors, subjects and possible career paths.

In addition to providing cutting edge liberal arts instruction, our college is committed to being a leader in technology use and instruction. CLA oversees several state-of-the-art technology labs, offers technology training for students, and actively incorporates students on the Technology Advisory Committee.

To add to its diverse academic program, CLA offers a vast array of extracurricular activities, including writing for the UMD Statesman, participating in one of a dozen student clubs, attending a lecture organized by the Center for Ethics and Public Policy, the Alworth Institute for International Studies, the Center for Crime and Justice Studies, or the Center for Advocacy and Political Leadership, or working with a professor on an honors or Undergraduate Research Opportunity Project (UROP).

At the beginning of the 21st century, the skills that you will acquire as a student with a liberal arts major are not just going to provide you with a broad knowledge base of diverse cultural, economic, political and social issues. Your liberal arts degree will allow you to obtain desirable job skills that will make you high marketable to future employers.

As you start your career here at UMD, and in CLA, make use of the many opportunities that are before you. Most importantly, I’d like to encourage you to plan ahead for studying abroad. UMD offers a number of shorter and longer options to study overseas, and these programs will not only provide you with an unforgettable life experience, but increase your language skills and cultural understanding.

I wish you well as you embark upon your journey with CLA. Remember that there are many people who can help you make the best of your time. Please don’t forget to ask.

Best wishes,
Olaf Kuhlke