Academic Life
- What are the advantages of a liberal arts education?
- Which courses are required of all students?
- How does a student know which courses to choose?
- How challenging is the academic program at Randolph-Macon?
- What are the academic standards?
- Where do students study?
- Are there any "special programs" available
to students?
- What exactly is the Internship Program?
- Can you tell me more about the study abroad programs?
- What special assistance is available to students
who experience academic difficulty and who seek help?
- What type of computer facilities does Randolph-Macon
have to offer?
Q. What are the advantages of a liberal arts
education?
A. The goal of the liberal arts is not only to provide students
with a broad range of knowledge in the humanities, arts, and sciences,
but also to develop individuals who think critically, who speak
and write effectively, and who constantly question and explore the
world around them. These skills are essential for success, regardless
of the career path one chooses to pursue.
A liberal arts education is especially important and valuable in
today’s world. Statistics show that an individual graduating
from college today will change careers - not merely jobs - at least
three times before retiring. The flexibility and variety of a liberal
arts education enables one to meet these changes with confidence
and success. This is why many employers today seek the liberally-educated
individual. That person is one who possesses the necessary skills
for relating successfully to other people, who can analyze information
and make decisions effectively, and who can adapt to the changing
roles of the position.
Q. Which courses are required of all students?
A. Randolph-Macon has the most comprehensive core-curriculum
of any college in Virginia. In order to graduate, all students must
complete the following requirements (two courses in each):
- English Composition
- European History
- Mathematics
- Laboratory Science
- Literature
- Social Science
- Philosophy or Religious Studies
- Fine Arts (one course only)
Beginning in Fall 2005, all new students must complete the First-Year
Experience. This includes a two-semester-long First-Year Colloquium
(FYC) course that will be taught by two faculty members from different
disciplines, and there will be about a dozen FYC topics offered.
The FYC courses will focus on engaging topics that cross disciplinary
boundaries and will meet Areas of Knowledge requirements in the
appropriate discpilines. A four-credit one-semester companion writing
course is also required in conjunction with the FYC.
In addition, each student must fulfill a computer literacy requirement,
two speaking-intensive courses, and demonstrate proficiency in a
foreign language through the intermediate (second year) level. The
physical education requirement is completed by taking two one-semester
courses or through participation in varsity athletics for two seasons.
Naturally, they must also successfully complete requirements for
their major(s)/minor(s).
Q. How does a student know which courses to
choose?
A. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor before arriving
on campus in the fall. Normally, the student will keep this advisor
until the time when an official choice of academic major is made,
usually at the end of the sophomore year. A student’s choice
of courses depends upon personal preferences, placement tests taken
during Orientation, and advisor’s suggestions. A typical freshman’s
schedule includes courses in English composition, mathematics, history
or laboratory science, foreign language, and physical education.
Q. How challenging is the academic program at
Randolph-Macon?
A. Randolph-Macon’s academic program is rigorous and
demanding. Our faculty set high standards for their students, especially
in the areas of written communication and classroom participation.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 and an average class size
of 15 students, the College actively involves students in the educational
process, and this involvement naturally requires hard work and self-discipline.
Successful Randolph-Macon students are those who are highly motivated
and eager to learn. The remarkable success of Randolph-Macon students
in graduate and professional schools and in a wide range of careers
is one clear indication that the College’s challenging curriculum
pays real dividends.
Q. What are the academic standards?
A. A cumulative average of "C" (or 2.00 based
on the 4.00 system) is required for a student to graduate from Randolph-Macon.
A grade point average below this is allowed during the first two
years of a student’s college career. However, continued unsatisfactory
performance usually results in probationary standing or suspension.
Parents receive grade reports for their dependent children at the
end of each semester, Summer Sessions, and January Term. Notification
is sent to parents concerning official College action in the event
of academic deficiencies or when a student is suspended from the
College.
Q. Where do students study?
AMany students study in their rooms; others study in the
College’s McGraw-Page Library. The library is open Monday through
Thursday 8 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Friday 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday
10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. until 1 a.m. Other specially
designated study areas are located in classroom buildings, some
residence halls (open all night), and in the Copley Science Center
(open extended hours). In addition, students have access to the
LEAPS (Learning Environment for Academic and Personal Success) Center,
which provides meeting and group study rooms, academic support materials,
computers, study snacks, and supplies for projects and student organization
activities.
Q. Are there any "special programs"
available to students?
A. Yes. In addition to offering 30 academic majors, the
College has extensive internship and field study programs (in Richmond,
Washington, D.C., and other locations); an honors program for outstanding
students; pre-professional training for medicine, dentistry, law,
and the ministry; cooperative programs in engineering and forestry;
cooperative master’s degree program in accounting with Virginia
Commonwealth University; certification in elementary and secondary
education; transfer programs in health science fields; independent
study and senior project options; a seven college exchange program;
and study abroad opportunities in France, Spain, England, Ireland,
Germany, Italy, Japan, China, and Korea.
Q. What exactly is the Internship Program?
A. One way to test an education is to put it into practice.
For Randolph-Macon students, this means gaining work experience
through the College’s extensive Bassett Internship Program
or the summer internship program. Students in all majors can get
on-the-job experience in a range of fields while earning academic
credit or financial compensation. With the help of their faculty
coordinators and the Internship Director, students work in Richmond,
in Washington, D.C., or in such places as Baltimore, New York, or
Dallas. Most internships take place during January Term and summer
terms, although internships during the fall or spring semester can
be arranged.
In recent years, Randolph-Macon interns have worked in investment
firms, banks, major corporations, newspapers, museums, hospitals,
the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Virginia General
Assembly, and a variety of other locations.
Q. Can you tell me more about the study abroad
programs?
ARandolph-Macon has established study abroad programs in
Paris, France; Salamanca, Spain; Wroxton, England; Rome, Italy;
Lancaster, England; Tubingen, Germany; Ireland; Japan; China; and
Korea. Our study abroad programs enable students to experience first-hand
the language, culture, literature, economics, and politics of Europe.
Other travel options are available as well and have taken students
to Russia, China, Mexico, and a variety of other countries.
Q. What special assistance is available to
students who experience academic difficulty and who seek help?
A. The first source of assistance is (and should be) the
professor in the course concerned. One of the special advantages
of a small teaching-oriented undergraduate college is the availability
of the faculty to students seeking help after class. It is the student’s
responsibility, however, to approach the faculty member, not the
other way around.
In addition, the Higgins Academic Center (HAC) provides academic
support for all students. Peer tutoring is free to all students
and is available in most subjects. It can be received on a drop-in
or appointment basis. Mentoring is also free to all students and
is available upon request, through referral, and through the Dean’s
Probation program (for freshmen). Mentors work with individual clients
and also offer group presentations on topics including time management,
goal setting, study strategies, writing skills, and test preparation.
The HAC also provides assistance to students with disabilities.
In compliance with Federal law, the College is committed to offering
an equal educational opportunity to all qualified students with
disabilities. Since these students often need special accommodations
to be successful, reasonable accommodations are provided for eligible
students. To be eligible to receive accommodations, a student with
disabilities must register with the Office for Disability Support
services in the HAC. Students are encouraged to register if they
anticipate the need for accommodations at any time during attendance
at the College.
Q. What type of computer facilities does Randolph-Macon
have to offer?
A. There are computer laboratories throughout the campus
intended for instruction. They are usually available for student
use when classes are not in session. Hours for many labs are posted
and the Computer Learning Center labs and the Library Computer Room
are open extended hours (evenings & weekends) for student convenience.
Computer Learning Center: Copley 200 & 201
Computer Science Room: Copley 213
Library computer Room
Economics/Business Computer Room: Fox 106
Pysch. Computer Room: Smithey 132a
Butler Language Lab: Haley Hall
Higgins Academic Center
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Education Labs
LEAPS Center
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