FAQ by all AREC Undergraduate Students
How do I change my major to Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC)?
Answer: You will need to schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director, complete a four-year plan, and attend an AGNR Change of Major workshop. Please contact Academic Programs in 0107 Symons if you have any questions about the workshop. You can view all major requirements by viewing the four-year plan.
I’m interested in one of the minors that the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) offers. What do I need to do?
Answer: Visit the minor page and follow the instructions. Make sure to bring all required documents to the appointment. Visit the Minor page to know what documents to bring.
Can I major in Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) and minor in the Global Poverty track of the Global Studies minor?
Answer: Yes.
Can I major in Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) and minor in any of the other AREC minors (Agribusiness Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, and Resource and Agricultural Policy in Economic Development)?
Answer: No.
What is the procedure to double major or pursue a dual degree?
Answer: You will need to speak with your primary college and get permission, speak to the secondary college, obtain the double major form (either your primary college office or 0107 Symons Hall), and receive four signatures-your primary department and college and the secondary department and college.
What is the maximum number of AREC courses I can take every semester?
Answer: A maximum of four 400 level AREC courses. Please consult your advisor about taking such a heavy courseload.
I want to take a course during the summer or winter at another institution. What is the process?
Answer: Before enrolling to take a course at another institution a student must first receive permission from their college/department and verify the course will transfer by viewing the Transfer Credit Center website. All requests to take courses at another institution are reviewed by process of a Permission to Enroll Form. The permission to enroll form is available online.
I have questions about the internship program. What is the process?
Answer: Visit the Internship Program page and send an email to arec-undergrad@umd.edu.
What is the required grade for the courses in the major?
Answer: A C- or better is required in each of the six prerequisites courses, seven major courses, and six field of study courses. Every student is given two attempts for each course.
How do I submit a policy exception?
Answer: Discuss your concern with the Assistant Director and then submit a formal request. Note: Policy exceptions are not automatic or guaranteed.
What is the process to get my academic block lifted so I can register for classes?
Answer: You are required to meet with the Assistant Director every semester for the academic block to be lifted. After your advising appointment, the academic block will be lifted. You may have other blocks in which case, you need to contact the appropriate office directly and get the block(s) lifted.
I selected Business Management as my field of study. Can I register for both the regular section of BMGT courses and the “N-section” of BMGT courses (e.g. BMGT340N)?
Answer: Any student who is in the Agricultural and Resource Economics major may register for the section of BMGT course ending with the letter “N”. You can also add yourself to the Holdfile for regular sections of BMGT courses (without the letter “N”).
What is the difference between the Waitlist and the Holdfile?
Answer: The Waitlist is an option if you meet the course requirements established by the department offering the course (specific majors, credit levels, special populations, etc.)
The Hold File is a roster of students who wish to register for a course, but who do not meet the departmental restrictions. These students must be placed on the Hold file even though the course may have seats available. For courses with a hold file, students on the waitlist receive priority consideration over those on the hold file.
How do I switch from Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) to another major?
Answer: Contact the department and/ or college you wish to change to and start the process of declaring a new major. You do not need to meet with the AREC department first or fill out any paperwork from the AREC department.
What is Academic Probation or Dismissal?
Answer: Students will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Normally, a student is expected to attain a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of any probationary semester. Students who fail to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of their probationary semester may be academically dismissed, depending on their credit level as detailed in the Undergraduate Catalog.
FAQ by Global Poverty Minor Students
I am enrolled in the Global Poverty minor and would like to register for BSST330. It states on Testudo a restriction: Must be in the Terrorism Studies minor program. How can I register for the course although I'm not in the Terrorism Studies minor?
Answer: Please email education@start.umd.edu and inform the office that you are in the Global Poverty minor and would like to receive permission to register for BSST330. Only send an email once you have received your registration date for the fall to request access to the course. (Please note BSST330 is only offered during fall semesters.)
I am enrolled in the Global Poverty minor and would like to register for ENES472. It states on Testudo a prerequisite: Permission of ENGR-A. James Clark School of Engineering.How do I obtain permission?
Answer: Contact the Minor in International Engineering office and inform them you are in the Global Poverty minor and would like to receive permission to register for ENES472.
I am enrolled in the Global Poverty minor and would like to register for FMSC381. It states on Testudo a restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Family Science department. How can I register for the course although I'm not in the major?
Answer: Students in the Global Poverty minor can register for this course. You can contact the Family Science department and inform the Undergraduate Coordinator that you are in the Global Poverty minor and would like to receive permission to register for FMSC381.
I am enrolled in the Global Poverty minor and interested in receiving three credits of Study Abroad. What is the process?
Answer: Email or schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director with a description of the study abroad program and the syllabi for the courses you will be taking abroad. You will receive a decision from the department regarding the applicability of your study abroad coursework to the minor. Please note that you can only receive 3 credits of study abroad, internship, or experiential learning towards the minor.
I am enrolled in the Global Poverty minor and interested in receiving three credits of Internship. What is the process?
Answer: Email or schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director with a link to the internship and a job description. If your internship is approved, you will be granted permission to enroll in AREC386, a 3-credit internship course that can count towards the Global Poverty minor. Please note that you can only receive three credits of study abroad, internship, or experiential learning towards the minor.
I am enrolled in the Global Poverty minor and would like to submit a course to be approved as a substitute for the minor. What is the process?
Answer: Email or schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director to submit a syllabus for the course for which you are seeking approval. The AREC department will review the syllabus to determine if the course can count towards the minor. Courses that are approved as a substitute must have course content with a global focus and include poverty content across and within countries.
