As a top public research university, William and Mary offers Arts & Sciences graduate degree programs that are highly selective, involve close collaboration with faculty members, and provide opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Students in the natural and computational sciences are encouraged to take advantage of William and Mary's strong connections with research laboratories and consortia in the area. For students in the humanities and social sciences, a wealth of resources, apprenticeships, and internships are available for obtaining practical experience in a variety of career fields. In his Fall 2012 message, Dean Swaddle welcomed entering students and provided an update on Arts and Sciences graduate programs.