Academics FAQs

We have multiple Honors & Scholars Programs here at the U! da Vinci, Foote Fellows, Health Professions Mentoring Program (HPM), and PRISM (Advanced Program for Integrative Science and Math). Students are automatically considered for these programs and they are invitation only. Some are major or concentration specific. For more information about these programs, eligibility, and selection visit our Honors & Scholars Programs page.

UM offers pre-professional advising for students interested in pre-health and pre-law. Visit our Pre-Law Advising and Pre-Health Advising and Mentoring pages for more information.

Yes! Our Dual-Degree Programs allow students to graduate with two degrees – one undergraduate and the other graduate. Eligibility and application timelines vary by program. For more information review our Dual-Degree Programs page.

Yes! We offer a Joint Degree Program in Law for Undergraduates (3+3). This program allows undergraduate students with strong academic credentials to earn both their bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees in six years. Review the 3+3 Program page for more information.

It may be possible, though some major or minor combinations may be more feasible than others. Students may inquire about adding another major once on campus and will work alongside their Cane Navigator (aka academic advisor) on the most appropriate path toward degree completion given their area(s) of academic interest.

Students are advised to declare a major before the end of their sophomore year.

It is common for students to consider changing their academic direction at some point during their college career. Once on campus, you may utilize your Cane Navigator (aka academic advisor) to support you in these decisions. For more information around changing your major before or after enrollment visit our Change of Major request page.

You may view the curriculum and course listing for all undergraduate majors and minors in our Academic Bulletin.

The average class size at UM is between 19 and 30 students.

UM’s 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio gives students access to faculty across all academic disciplines. In addition, faculty have weekly office hours, and students are welcome to visit their professors during those times. 

The Center for Academic Navigation and Success at the University of Miami empowers all undergraduate students to excel academically and achieve their educational goals. The Center fosters a student-centered culture that equips students to own and navigate their academic journeys successfully through personalized guidance, comprehensive resources, and collaborative support.

Incoming students are assigned a Transitional Guide prior to their arrival. Transitional Guides will be available to answer questions and assist incoming students through the precollege advising process.

All UM students will also have a Cane Navigator (a.k.a. academic advisor). They play a critical role in supporting you holistically, addressing not only your academic needs but also your personal and professional development through your undergraduate journey.

Undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester in most schools/colleges. A typical undergraduate full-time class schedule for fall and spring semesters consists of 15 credit hours.

Yes, we allow students to receive college credit hours towards graduation from:

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• General Certificate of Education (GCE)
• Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Unit
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Dual Enrollment

The University allows incoming first-year students to receive up to 26 college credits, limited to 3-4 credits per subject, through dual enrollment and/or tests completed by the student’s high school graduation date. Credit evaluations will only take place after the student has been admitted. Visit our Transferring Credits page for more information.

As a private, Research 1 Institution with 89 (ORR more than 80, or close to 90?) research centers and institutes, UM welcomes and encourages students who are interested in pursuing faculty-led or their own research as early as their first year.

Students may conduct research across all academic disciplines regardless of major, and  may utilize the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors to support them in navigating these opportunities.

The Office of Study Abroad offers programs as short as one week and as long as one academic year regardless of major. Currently, UM offers more than 80 programs in 26 countries. You may study abroad with a faculty-led program, a  UProgram, participate in a UM Partner Exchange Program, or Global Internship.

Students admitted to UM with ACT, SAT or AP scores will be placed at a math level based on their scores. Students admitted without standardized test scores (test optional programs– School of Architecture, Frost School of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in College of Arts & Science) or have graduated from a high school outside the US, and who have not received credit in any college level math course will be required to take ALEKS in order to determine their math placement. You may review our Math Placement  page for more information.

Whether you need tutoring, writing an essay, balancing multiple priorities, or just a listening ear, the University of Miami is there for you. We have compiled a list of just some the academic resources that will be available to you as an undergraduate.

You may request any accommodation you need through the Office of Disability Services.

At UM, your education extends beyond the classroom to labs, studios, hospitals, museums, internships—and even countries halfway around the world. With access to a major metropolitan city, the real-world learning opportunities abound. Here are only a handful of the initiatives and opportunities our students take advantage of:

• Internships
• Undergraduate Research
• Short-Term Credit Programs
• Civic and Community Engagement

Yes, UM offers multiple summer Pre-College Programs.