Special Programs in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at St. Mary’s University offers several special programs to enhance student learning and opportunities.
Mexican American Studies Program
Mexican American Studies (MAS) at St. Mary’s is an interdisciplinary program offering both undergraduate minor and certificate options. Through MAS, students can investigate themes of identity, heritage, community, language, faith, belonging and struggle as they relate to Mexican American populations. The MAS program affords students the opportunity to develop a basic understanding of histories of oppression and resistance interactions between race, class, gender and sexuality and the impacts of local, national and international relations of power relevant to Mexican American peoples.
The program thus cultivates a critical, cross-cultural knowledge base necessary for students’ future personal and professional lives. MAS courses are offered across a variety of departments, allowing students the ability to design a personalized course of study relevant to their unique interests and career paths. Both the 18 credit hour minor and 15 credit hour certificate in MAS can be completed through electives and serve to complement any major offered at St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, is currently one of only two universities in San Antonio to offer a minor in Mexican American Studies.
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.
Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States Program
The Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS ) program teaches students critical thinking, reading, writing and debate skills, culminating in a multi-day competition against teams from around Texas, Mexico and the Southwest. Named after former Ambassador-in-Residence Eugene Scassa, the program consists of a class each fall semester, during which students are assigned country teams and relevant issues facing the Americas.
Students who have participated in the ESMOAS program have gone on to work at the Organization of American States in Washington D.C., the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico, the Austin Legislature and various political offices in Texas and the United States. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow your confidence, earn awards and learn more about current political, social and economic issues, then the Eugene Scassa MOAS program is for you.
For more information about the Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States Program, contact Ian Smith, Ph.D, ismith4@stmarytx.edu
ROTC Program
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.
StMU Theatre
All of the Music and Theatre Arts 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.
Questions? Contact Us.
Questions concerning the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences can be directed to the prospective program’s director found on each program page. For any questions about the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences use the contact below.
Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Betsy Smith, Ph.D.
Charles Francis Hall, Room 004
210-436-3737
bsmith27@stmarytx.edu