University Services

UMSL Home

Academic Resources

The Writing Lab
The Writing Lab offers free tutorial assistance to students working on papers for their classes. No appointment is necessary, and tutors are prepared to help both undergraduate and graduate students in all the disciplines. Issues covered in the lab include organization, sentence clarity, development, grammar, and usage. 

English-as-a-Second Language
The English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) program provides assessment and supplementary ESL courses for international students. Courses are listed under Languages and Cultures Department.

Mathematics Lab
The Math Lab offers individual assistance on a walk-in basis to students needing help with any mathematics from basic math through calculus or mathematical skills required for a course in another discipline. Students or prospective students who are preparing to take the Mathematics Placement Test or C-Base Exam may come to the lab for help. Review materials for the C-Base Exam are also available on general reserve in the Thomas Jefferson Library. Test dates and practice math placement exams are available from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

The Math Lab also offers a three-credit hour (not toward a degree) course in Intermediate Algebra and a zero-credit workshop in Beginning Algebra as semester-long lecture classes or independent study courses with flexible beginning and ending options. Schedules for the courses can be found in the current Schedule of Courses in MyView.

Campus Testing Center
The Campus Testing Center provides a controlled environment for students to take make-up exams or to test under conditions where special accommodations are needed and authorized by the Office of Disability Access Services. Students unable to take campus-level exams (e.g. Math Placement) during regularly scheduled group sessions may take them in the center for a fee. All testing is by appointment by calling 314-516-6396 or emailing assessctr@umsl.edu.

Cashier’s Office

The Cashier’s Office helps students and their families meet their financial obligations to the university.  The office produces accurate and timely invoices to collect and process payments, issue refunds, and to ensure that funds are deposited without delay.  Staff are available in person at 285 Millennium Student Center, by phone at (314) 516-5151, or my email at umslcash@umsl.edu for inquiries about student accounts.

Distance Learning

Campus Support Offered Online
As a service to its students, most of whom do not live close to campus, UMSL offers several services online or by phone. Online services for registration, fee-payment, testing, advising/financial aid, book sales, and administrative support are services offered through the university’s integrated systems, MyView. Before a student is admitted, MyView allows candidates to apply online, explore the course catalog, and access online services, including MyGateway. The student portal on MyGateway lists links to tools that students often need, including links for an enrollment certification letter, class schedule, DARS report, e-bill student account, e-mail forwarding address, creating a friendly e-mail address, accessing grades and GPA, online testing appointments, registration times, and both the online and telephone registration systems. Advising links include academic advising, academic calendars, choosing a major, the Bulletin, course schedules, final exam schedule, and policies. Library holdings are also available through technology. Students can conduct reference searches via telecommunications, and entire texts of an increasing number of periodicals are now available online.

MyGateway
The lines between on-campus and off-campus learning is blurring as UMSL faculty increasingly use technology to communicate with students. Most classes at UMSL use MyGateway, whether students take the class on campus, online, or at an off-campus site. Tutorials are available on the campus’s Information Technology Services website.

Off-Campus Classes
Because of the campus’s close relations with community colleges, schools, businesses, agencies, and hospitals in the region, some programs are offered at these sites for students’ convenience. Most courses in off-campus programs have an instructor on site, but sometimes courses are delivered with technology at the same time (synchronously) as courses on campus. This allows students across the region to take class together without having to drive long distances. Course locations are included in the class schedule available to students and the public on MyView.

Online Education
UMSL’s online courses and programs are offered asynchronously through MyGateway. The majority of courses require some on-campus activities, so students must consult the schedule of courses for any on-campus requirements.

Faculty Senate and University Assembly

The Faculty Senate has primary responsibility for making educational policy decisions to create a rigorous, innovative, student-oriented environment for learning, research, and community service. The Senate and University Assembly together and through their committees advise the chancellor and other senior administrators on matters related to students, faculty and staff.

The Faculty Senate has 40 faculty members, 30 representing departments and 10 elected at large. In addition, three administrators are non-voting members. The voting members of the University Assembly consist of the elected members of the Senate; the president; the chancellor; the vice chancellor for academic affairs; the dean of the graduate school; the vice provost for student affairs; the dean of continuing education; student representatives equal in number to one-third of the faculty members of the assembly; and three staff members, including the president of the Staff Association. Non-voting members consist of vice chancellors and vice provosts not already included, deans of all colleges, the dean of libraries, and the president of the Student Government Association.  The Faculty Senate meets monthly between September and May and the Assembly meets in alternate months during the year. Information about the Faculty Senate and University Assembly are available on the Senate’s Web site.

Institutional Safety (Police)

The mission of the University of Missouri-St. Louis police department is to work cooperatively with the university community and within the framework of the Constitution, enforce the laws, preserve the peace, and provide a safe environment for the campus.

The police department is an internationally accredited department committed to professional management and to providing services in a manner that is responsive to community concerns. We pledge to be sensitive to the needs of those it serves.

The police department, located in the Campus Police Building serves the students, faculty, and staff by providing year-round dedicated police service to the campus community. The police officers are trained to give emergency aid in the event of accident or illness. All incidents should be reported immediately to the police department, telephone by calling 314-516-5155. All campus phones are programmed to connect directly to the police department when dialing 911. The police department and dispatch center operate 24 hours a day. Emergency telephones on campus include the red A Hot-Line phones, which are located in many buildings. In addition, there are a number of outdoor emergency blue phones that connect directly to the police dispatcher.

All members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to call the police for an escort if they feel uncomfortable walking to their car at night.  For information regarding this and other services, contact the police by calling 314-516-5155. Students are encouraged to add the campus police phone number (314-516-5155) to their cell phones in case of emergencies on campus.

Parking and Transportation
Parking enforcement and issuing faculty, staff and guest permits is the responsibility of the Parking and Transportation Department These permits may be obtained at the Parking and Transportation office, located at 7700 Florissant Road. Information on traffic regulations, parking, and campus maps can be obtained at the Parking and Transportation's web site.

Parking and Transportation provides limited emergency vehicle service (due to dead battery, empty fuel tank, flat tire, etc.), at no charge, to vehicles on campus. Any person requiring such service should call 314-516-5155.

Career Services

Career Services assists students and recent graduates with planning, creating, implementing and evaluating career development and job search strategies by working in partnership with employers and the campus community.

Career Readiness/Coaching, Career Counseling & Exploration and other programs are available to all degree seeking students and recent graduates of UMSL. Career Services hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (314) 516-5111, or visit 278 Millennium Student Center.

Career Readiness/Coaching
Make an appointment with a Career Services Coordinator to get assistance in your job search.  A professional is available to assist in guiding students and alumni in the job search for internships/co-ops and full-time degree-related positions.

Career Counseling & Exploration
Meet with a staff member to evaluate your career development. Career development services are designed to help you with choosing a major and/or career.  We offer career assessments, on-line resources and individual assistance to guide you in your career decision-making. Visit the Career Services website to access a variety of job search related information. Click on the Occupational Outlook Handbook to get job outlook information, access “ What can I do with this major?” to help connect majors with careers, review salary survey information, and link to numerous job search related links.

Job Leads
We have a web-based software system that enables students and alumni to conduct a job search on-line 24/7. You will have access to job leads (internships, co-op, part-time degree-related and full-time degree-related positions), on-campus interview opportunities and resume referrals to employers. To be activated in this system, click on UMSLCareerKey at the Career Services website. General, non-degree-related employment opportunities that are received in Career Services are available on the Career Services website under “Off Campus Opportunities.”

On-Campus Jobs
Career Services assists students with connecting to on-campus job opportunities (jobs posted through the federal work-study program and jobs posted by individual departments that are open to all students).

Job Fairs
Career Services holds three annual job fairs: UMSL Fall Internship & Job Fair (for all majors); UMSL Spring Internship & Job Fair in the Spring Semester (for all majors); UMSL Teacher Job Fair (for teaching candidates). Admission is free to UMSL students/alumni who pre-register.

Weekly Workshops
Register on-line for workshops related to the job search process, including Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and Job Search Strategies.

Special Programs
Other special programs are held throughout the year.  This includes Classroom & Student Organization Presentations, Etiquette Banquet, and Job Search Strategies Teacher Panel.

Internship/Cooperative Education Positions
Internships and Co-ops give students the opportunity to combine classroom studies with work experience in a field related to their education and career goals.  These degree related positions offer students an excellent opportunity to gain professional job experience and earn money to help with expenses while in school. Through these opportunities, students begin to understand what career choices they might make, gain valuable contacts in their field, and, in many cases, get paid for their work.  They graduate with a college degree and an impressive resume.  Career Services, and academic departments work with students and employers to ensure that positions are linked to curriculum and career development.  These opportunities are available to UMSL students at all levels in all majors.  Contact Career Services for more information at 516-5111, or visit 278 Millennium Center.

In addition to internships available through Career Services, internships and practica are available through many academic departments. Academic advisors can provide information about the requirements for these experiences, some of which are summarized below.

College of Arts and Sciences

Anthropology
ANTHRO 4325-4329, Internship in Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Folklore, Museum Studies, Physical Anthropology - elective, for credit; placement with outside organizations; junior standing required. Positions available on competitive basis as lab and research assistants, teachers/facilitators, and interns/assistants - optional, noncredit.

The Human Origin and Cultural Diversity program offers internships in educational anthropology and diversity education.

Biology
BIOL 3699, Undergraduate Internship in Biotechnology - optional as part of certificate program, for credit or noncredit, enrollment in certificate program required.
BIOL 4299, Practicum in Conservation - required as part of certificate program, for credit, enrollment in certificate program required.

Chemistry and Biochemistry
Opportunities are available to pursue research with faculty members for credit during the academic year, normally while enrolled in CHEM 3905. Stipends may be available in some cases. Expanded opportunities are available in the summer through the Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, which is typically funded by the National Science Foundation and local industry. In some cases students may conduct CHEM 3905 research at a local company through collaborative arrangement between a faculty members and an industrial chemist.

Criminology and Criminal Justice
CRIMIN 3280, Internship in Criminology and Criminal Justice - elective, for credit.

Economics
ECON 4990,
Internship in Applied Economics; not required; 3 hours maximum.

English
ENGL 4890, Independent Writing Project - internships offered in areas such as journalism, public relations, advertising, publishing, and technical writing; for credit, enrollment in Writing Certificate Program required.

Languages and Cultures
Paid, noncredit positions as tutors in language lab available on a competitive basis. Students of German can apply for summer noncredit internships abroad in the German-American Student Exchange Program at the Study Abroad Office.

History
HIST 4001, Special Readings - internships occasionally available with historical agencies; department chair and/or undergraduate coordinator must approve to obtain credit.

Mathematics and Computer Science
Career-related work arrangements for students majoring in math and/or computer science are primarily administered through Career Services located in 278 Millennium Student Center. These positions are paid and non-credit-bearing.

Physics and Astronomy
The department funds research internships in the department in both physics and astronomy. The awards are competitive, and preference is given to students who have completed the PHYSICS 2111/2112 sequence.

Political Science
POL SCI 3940, Public Affairs Internship - required, for credit, for bachelor of science in public administration program. It may also count as an elective, for credit, within the bachelor of arts in political science program and is open to all majors. Placements include municipal, state, and federal governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, courts, and political campaign offices.

Psychology
PSYCH 3295, Selected Projects in Field Placement - elective, for credit.
PSYCH 3390, Research Assistant.

Social Work
SOC WK 4800 and 4850, Supervised Field Experience in Social Work I and II - required, for credit, admission to B.S.W. program and prior consent of instructor are required.

Sociology
SOC 4385, Internship in Sociology - elective, for credit.

College of Business Administration

Career Services works in partnership with the College of Business Administration to assist students in securing career-related work arrangements for students majoring in all areas of business. These positions can be paid or unpaid and credit bearing or non-credit bearing. Those students choosing to receive academic credit through one of the courses listed below must contact the College of Business Administration Internship Coordinator in Room 469 SSB, by phone at 314-516-6117, or by email.

ACCTNG 3490, Internship in Accounting
BUS AD 3090, Internship in Business Administration
BUS AD 3289, Internship Practicum in International Business
BUS AD 3990, Internship in Business Law
FINANCE 3590, Internship in Finance
INFSYS 3890, Internship in Management Information Systems
LOG OM 3390, Internship in Logistics & Operations Management
MGMT 3690, Internship in Management
MKTG 3790, Internship in Marketing

College of Education

Internships (4989) are required for 3 hours credit for most undergraduate programs and Student Teaching (4990 and 4991) is required for 12 hours credit in all teacher certification programs. For more information, contact the Teacher Certification and Advising Office at Deborah_Ballard@umsl.edu or at 314-516-6710.

College of Fine Arts and Communication

Art
ART HS 3387, Professional Internship for Art History majors only elective, for credit.
ART HS 3388, St. Louis Art Museum Internship for Studio Art or Art History majors only – competitive position elective for credit.

Communication
COMM 1193, Practicum in Applied Communication
COMM 4393, Internship in Applied Communication

Media Studies
On-campus positions, as available:
MEDIA ST 1194, Practicum In Journalism
MEDIA ST 1195, Practicum In Advertising
MEDIA ST 1196, Practicum In Radio
MEDIA ST 1197, Practicum In Television/Film
MEDIA ST 1198, Practicum in Media Studies

Elective for credit, Senior standing, 3.0 GPA, and faculty recommendation required; off-campus positions:
MEDIA ST 3394, Internship in Journalism
MEDIA ST 3395, Internship in Advertising
MEDIA ST 3396, Internship in Radio
MEDIA ST 3397, Internship in Television/Film
MEDIA ST 3398, Internship in Media Studies

Music
PRACTM 4920, Internship – required, for credit, enrollment in bachelor of music business required. Department sponsored internships available for all majors at St. Louis area arts institutions.

Joint Engineering Program
UMSL/Washington University Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program career-related work arrangements for students majoring in all areas of engineering are primarily administered through Career Services. These positions are paid and non-credit-bearing.

College of Nursing
Clinical courses are required in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. These experiences are limited to nursing majors only.

Pierre Laclede Honors College
Internships chosen by Honors College students, or arranged by their major departments, are valuable opportunities to broaden educational experience while also meeting the honors independent study requirement for graduation. Visit Career Services, 278 Millennium Student Center, or call 314 516-5111 for more information on these programs and other work arrangements available.

Alumni Association

The Alumni Association sponsors several scholarships for UMSL students, provides special funding for campus projects, and works as an organization to obtain increased public support for the university. Membership in the Alumni Association is open to all graduates and former students with payment of modest dues. For more information, call 314-516‑5833.