Admissions Records and Disposition

All records, including both standardized test scores and academic records from other institutions, become part of the official file and can neither be returned nor duplicated for any purpose. Students should retain an additional copy of their official credentials to keep in their possession for advisory purposes and for other personal requirements.

The admission credentials and the application data of applicants are retained from the date of receipt for 12 months only and then destroyed in the following cases: 1) Applicants who do not register for courses at the time for which they have been admitted; 2) Applicants whose applications have been disapproved; 3) Applicants who do not respond to graduate program requests for additional information; and 4) Applicants whose applications are not complete with respect to the inclusion of all transcripts or test results.

Admission to Degree Programs

Graduate students are admitted to a particular program for a specific degree objective (M.A., Ph.D., Ed.D, etc.). With the exception of established dual degree programs, joint-degree programs, and certificate programs, graduate students are permitted to matriculate into only one graduate degree program at a time. Graduate students are admitted to either full or provisional status as outlined below:

Full Graduate Student Status

Students may be admitted to full graduate status if they have submitted official documents indicating a completed baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or have earned a degree equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from another country, and are fully qualified in the judgment of the individual program and the Graduate School .

Provisional Graduate Student Status

Students may be admitted to provisional status if:

• The previous academic record is not outstanding; or
• The prerequisite course work in the chosen field is insufficient; or
• The applicant has majored in another field with a creditable record but has not yet clearly demonstrated abilities in the proposed new field; or
• The applicant has not provided official verification of information required by the graduate program or the Graduate School , such as the last semester's work or receipt of a degree.

Official transcripts indicating receipt of the degree must be submitted before the end of the first semester. Registration for a second semester will not be permitted unless these documents are received by the Graduate School .

Offer of Admission

All completed applications will be reviewed by the Graduate School , the graduate program to which the applicant applied, and, if necessary, the Office of International Education Services. Applicants may receive correspondence from each of these offices requesting clarification or additional information or documents. Responses should be directed to the inquiring office directly.

Formal admission to The University of Maryland is offered only by the Graduate School . Applicants admitted to the Graduate School will receive a written offer of admission from the Dean of the Graduate School . To accept or decline the offer, applicants must notify the Graduate School by the first day of classes of the semester for which the applicant was accepted or the offer becomes void. Immediately following written acceptance, applicants should contact the graduate program for registration information. Applicants are allowed a one-time only deferral of the admission of up to one year, subject to approval by the graduate program. Applicants who are unsuccessful in gaining admission to a graduate program are also notified in writing by the Graduate School .

Admission Semester Changes

The Offer of Admission is extended to the applicant only for a specified semester. If an admitted student or a Graduate Program wishes to change the semester of entry, they must petition the Graduate School in writing. The Graduate School will allow one (1) semester change requested by the program, and one (1) requested by the admitted student, contingent upon the approval of the program's Director of Graduate Studies. Any further changes will require a new application to the Graduate School.

Non-Degree Admission: Advanced Special Student Status

Although the primary mission of the Graduate School is to conduct programs of graduate instruction leading to advanced degrees, the Graduate Faculty will admit qualified students without degree objectives as advanced special students, to the extent that resources allow. Unofficial transcripts or photocopies of diplomas will be accepted with the application for evaluation purposes, but the student must submit official copies of all required documents before the end of the first semester of enrollment. Official transcripts must be submitted from all institutions except the University of Maryland , College Park .

The Advanced Special Student status is not available to students in F-1 or J-1 status. These students should consult with the Office of International Education Services at (301) 314-7740 if they have questions about exceptions in this category.

Applicants for admission to Advanced Special Student status must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average, and:

• Submit official transcripts covering all credits used in satisfying the baccalaureate degree requirements, or
• If the applicant holds a master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, submit an official transcript showing the award of a master's or doctoral degree, or
• Achieve a score that places the applicant in the upper 50th percentile of appropriate national standardized aptitude examinations, including the Graduate Record Examination, the Miller Analogies Test, and the Graduate Management Admissions Test. (where different percentiles are possible, the Graduate School will determine which score is acceptable), or
• Provide a strong letter of support from the Graduate Director of the program in which the applicant plans to take a course.

Admission to Advanced Special Student status will continue for five years. If there is no registration in two consecutive academic semesters (Fall and Spring), the admitted status will lapse and a new application will be required.

Advanced Special Students must maintain a 2.75 grade point average . Advanced Special Students whose grade point average falls below 2.75 will not be permitted to register.

Advanced Special Students must pay all standard graduate fees. Students in this status are not eligible to hold appointments as Graduate Teaching or Research Assistants or Fellows, or to receive other forms of financial aid. All other services available to them (e.g., parking, library privileges) are the same as those accorded to other graduate students.

Successful completion of courses taken as an Advanced Special Student does not guarantee admission to a graduate degree or certificate program. Each program may accept such courses in satisfaction of program requirements to a maximum of twelve (12) credits, contingent on admission to the degree or certificate program and on the approval of the faculty in the program. For consideration of admission to a degree program at a later time, the student must submit a new application. 

Non-Degree Admission: Advanced Graduate Specialist Certificate Status - College of Education

The Advanced Graduate Specialist Certificate Program is designed to promote a high level of professional competence in an area of specialization in the field of education. The candidate must be able to demonstrate that he or she can operate as an effective counselor, administrator, teacher, or skilled person in a major field of professional endeavor. The Advanced Graduate Specialist Certificate is offered through most of the programs in the College of Education . This Certificate is awarded only by the College of Education . Requirements are as follows:

• The same general criteria for admission to degree programs are applicable to Graduate Specialist Certificate applicants. Additionally, the applicant must have completed a master's degree or the equivalent in credits earned either at the University of Maryland or at another regionally accredited institution. Entrance exams are required at the time of application and vary for each department. Examinations that may be required are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test.
• Course work totaling not more than 30 credits with grades of at least a "B" from an accredited institution may be transferred to the program at the University.
• The program must be developed in cooperation with an advisor and filed with the Graduate Studies Office in the College of Education .
• The Advanced Graduate Specialist Certificate program requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit with no fewer than 30 semester hours of credit completed at the University of Maryland . At least one half of the credits earned either at other institutions or at the University of Maryland must be in courses comparable to those in the 600-800 series. The student may be required to take a substantial portion of the program in departments other than those in the College of Education . Registration in certain kinds of field study, field experience, apprenticeship, or internship may also be required.
• The Certificate requires completion of 60 hours of graduate credit with a 3.0 grade point average and no grades of "D" or "F". There will be a written examination of not less than six hours. For additional details see "A Guide for Student Advisors," issued by the College of Education Graduate Studies Office, Room 1204, Benjamin Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-1121 or visit the website at www.education.umd.edu/studentinfo/graduate_info/Grad_Guide/.
  

Visiting Graduate Student Status

A graduate student matriculated in another graduate school who wishes to enroll in the Graduate School of the University of Maryland and who intends to return to the graduate school in which he or she is matriculated, may be admitted as a Visiting Graduate Student.

To apply, the applicant must submit a completed application ( http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/admission ) and pay the current application fee. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores are not required. In lieu of transcripts, the applicant must submit a letter from the Graduate Dean at the applicant's institution confirming that the applicant is in good academic standing and that courses taken at the University of Maryland will be transferred to the home institution.

Golden Identification Card for Senior Citizens of Maryland

The University's services and courses are available without charge to citizens who are residents of the State of Maryland, 60 years of age or older, and retired (retired persons will be considered those who affirm that they are not engaged in gainful employment for more than 20 hours per week). Individuals who meet these requirements may apply for graduate admission, either as degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking students, and must meet all admissions criteria. Once admitted and issued the Golden Identification Card, senior citizens may register for courses in any session on a space-available basis, and may use the library and other University facilities during the time they are enrolled in courses. Tuition will be waived for Golden Identification Card holders, but mandatory fees must be paid. Golden ID Card holders may register during the first week of classes for up to 3 courses; they may not pre-register. Please refer to the Schedule of Classes for more information on the Golden ID registration procedures.

Change of Status or Program

Students are admitted with a particular status to a specified program for a specified objective. A new application is required if:

• The student wishes to change programs (students may be admitted to only one graduate program at any one time); or
• The student wishes to change status (from non-degree to degree); or
• The student wishes to pursue a new degree objective (e.g., change from master's to doctoral degree).
• Admission to a new program and/or status is not granted automatically. Each application is subject to review and approval.
  

Admission of Members of the Faculty

No member of the faculty who is employed by the University of Maryland with the position of assistant professor or higher is permitted to enroll in a program leading to an advanced degree in his or her academic college or school. A faculty member who wishes to take course work for personal enrichment in his or her academic college or school may choose to investigate the Advanced Special Student status. A faculty member who wishes to pursue an advanced degree in a graduate program outside his or her academic college or school may do so by obtaining written consent from the Deans of both the academic college/school in which he or she is employed and that from which he or she seeks a degree, and, subsequently, from the Dean of the Graduate School. 

Admission to An Institute

Application for admission to an institute should be made directly to the director of the institute. If admission to the Graduate School is also necessary, the decision will be based on the same criteria for admitting other degree applicants. Admission to an institute does not imply that the individual will be automatically admitted in any other status at the University of Maryland at a later date. The status terminates upon completion of the institute in which the student is enrolled. A new application and fee must be submitted for admission to any other graduate status or program.

Students already admitted to a regular graduate degree or non- degree status may also qualify for participation in an institute. 

Immunization

The University of Maryland requires all freshmen, new graduate students, and transfer students to provide documentation of measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus / diphtheria immunizations.  It is a student's responsibility to provide this information to the Health Center before school begins.  This requirement will not be waived.

Residency Classification

An initial determination of in-state status for admission and tuition charges will be made by the University at the time a student's application for admission is under consideration. The determination made at that time and any determination made thereafter will prevail in each semester unless the determination is successfully challenged in a timely manner. Please be advised that all students who are originally classified as nonresident students when they begin their studies at the University retain that classification unless they file a petition for resident status with the University's Residency Classification Office. The deadline for meeting all requirements for resident status and for submitting all documents for reclassification is the last day of late registration for the semester for which the student wishes to be classified as a resident student.

The volume of requests for reclassification may necessitate a delay in completing the review process. It is hoped that a decision in each case will be made within ninety (90) days of a request for determination. During this period of time, or any further period of time required by the University, fees and charges based on the previous determination must be paid. If the determination is changed, excess charges will be refunded.

All Graduate Assistants and Graduate Fellows are responsible for the status of their own residency classification. Classification does not officially change when the student begins his or her appointment. Assistants and Fellows should be familiar with the policies regarding tuition remission and residency classification. The fact that Fellows and Teaching Assistants are billed at the In-State rate does not change their residency status.

Regents' Policy on Residency

The University of Maryland Board of Regents have developed a policy and procedure that define a Maryland Resident for tuition and charge-differential purposes. This information, and all relevant procedures, is maintained on the Residency Classification Office's web site: http://www.testudo.umd.edu/rco/policy.html .