Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar is printed in the Schedule of Classes for each semester.
The Graduate School sends deadline information to newly admitted graduate students and to
students who are about to graduate. This information lists dates for submitting
requirements for degrees in a particular academic year. The information is also available
on the Internet at http://www.testudo.umd.edu
Developing a Program
The student is responsible for ascertaining and complying with the policies and
procedures of the Graduate School and all applicable graduate program requirements that
govern the individual program of study.
Registration for the newly admitted graduate student seeking a degree or certificate
begins with a visit to the student's academic advisor in the graduate program to which the
student has been admitted. There the student will obtain information about specific degree
or certificate requirements that supplement those of the Graduate School.
The student will consult the Schedule of Classes and will develop an individual
program of study and research in consultation with the students graduate advisor.
Students admitted to Advanced Special Status may seek advice from the Office of the
Director of Graduate Admissions or from appropriate faculty members.
Petitions for waivers of regulations of graduate degree requirements or of appeals of
decisions of graduate program faculty or administrators should be directed to the Office
of the Director of Graduate Admissions and Records, 2125 Lee Building.
Course Numbering System
Courses are designated as follows:
| 000-099 |
Non-credit courses |
| 100-199 |
primarily first-year courses |
| 200-299 |
primarily sophomore courses |
| 300-399 |
Junior and senior courses not acceptable for credit toward graduate
degrees. |
| 400-499 |
Junior and senior courses acceptable for credit toward some graduate
degrees. The number of such credits is limited by policies of the Graduate School and by
the graduate program. |
| 500-599 |
Professional school courses (Dentistry, Law, Medicine) and
post-baccalaureate courses not for graduate degree credit |
| 600-898 |
Courses restricted to graduate students (see above for exceptions) |
| 799 |
Master's thesis credit |
| 899 |
Doctoral dissertation credit |
The first character of the numeric position of the course number determines the level
of the course and the last two digits are used for course identification. Courses ending
with the numeral 8 or 9 are the only courses that are repeatable for credit.
Designation of Full and Part-time Status
The Graduate School uses the unit system in making calculations to determine full or
part-time student status. Please note that graduate units are different than credit hours.
The number of graduate units per credit hour is calculated in the following manner:
- Courses in the series: 000-399 carry 2 units/credit hour.
- Courses in the series: 400-499 carry 4 units/credit hour.
- Courses in the series: 500-599 carry 5 units/credit hour.
- Courses in the series: 600-898 carry 6 units/credit hour.
- Research course: 799 carries 12 units/credit hour.
- Research course: 899 carries 18 units/credit hour.
To be certified as full-time, a graduate student must be officially registered for a
combination of courses equivalent to 48 units per semester. Graduate assistants holding
regular appointments have full-time status if they are registered for at least 24 units in
addition to the assistantship. Audited courses do not generate graduate units and cannot
be used in calculating full-time or part-time status.
Minimum Registration Requirements
All graduate students, masters and doctoral, making any demand upon the academic or
support services of the University, whether taking courses, using University libraries,
laboratories, computer facilities, office space or housing, consulting with faculty
advisors, taking comprehensive or final oral examinations, filing a diploma application,
or graduating must register for the number of graduate units that will, in the judgment of
the graduate program, accurately reflect the student's involvement in graduate study and
use of university resources. In no case will registration be for less than one credit.
Minimum Registration Requirements for Doctoral Candidates
Doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy must register each semester,
except summer sessions, until the degree is awarded. Students must register for at least
one credit in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
Dissertation Research
Those who have not completed the required credit hours of Dissertation Research (899)
must register for a minimum of one credit of research each semester. (See the following
sections for specific doctoral degree registration requirements.) Doctoral candidates
whose demands upon the University are greater than that represented by this minimum
registration will be expected to register for the number of units that reflects their use
of University resources.
Partial Credit for Students with Disabilities
The Graduate School recognizes that students with documented disabilities may derive
considerable educational benefit from courses that include laboratories or other non-
classroom activities in which the student is prevented from participating because of the
disability. Therefore, it is the Graduate School's policy to allow students with
disabilities to enroll in such courses, complete only those parts of the course that their
capabilities permit, and receive credit for the course proportionate to their levels of
participation.
Students with disabilities should contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for
information and assistance with any disability related issue. Phone (301) 314-7682
(V/TTY). Graduate students with disabilities who wish to enroll in such courses but
participate only in certain aspects of them should consult the Associate Dean for Student
Affairs in the Graduate School. The Dean, in consultation with DSS, will assist the
student in making the necessary arrangements with the graduate program offering the
course, the graduate program in which the student is enrolled, and the Office of
Registration. The final agreement as to the student's level of participation and the
amount of credit to be awarded will be specified in an agreement to be drawn up by the
Graduate School and signed by all parties concerned.
Inter-Institutional Registration
A student admitted to the Graduate School in any institution of the University System
of Maryland is eligible to take courses on any other institution of the University of
Maryland with the approval of the academic advisor and the graduate deans of the home and
host institutions. Credits earned at a host institution are considered resident credit at
the home institution, and following normal procedures for graduate program approval, these
credits may be used to meet University of Maryland graduation requirements. Transcripts of
courses taken at another institution will be maintained at the home institution and fees
will be paid to the home institution. Forms for registration as an inter-institutional
student may be obtained from the Office of Records and Registrations - Special Programs.
The Washington Consortium Arrangement
The University of Maryland is a member of the Consortium of Universities of the
Washington Metropolitan Area. Other institutions currently associated with the consortium
include American University, The Catholic University of America, the University of the
District of Columbia, Gallaudet College, George Mason University, Georgetown University,
George Washington University, Howard University, Marymount College, Mount Vernon College
and Trinity College. Students enrolled in any one of these institutions are able to attend
certain classes at the other institutions and have the credit considered
"residence" credits at their own institutions. Grades in these courses are
calculated into the student's GPA. The consortium permits both undergraduate and graduate
students to participate in programs such as the Research Fellows Program and the National
Institute for Citizen Education in the Law. The policies governing registration through
the Consortium Arrangement are listed below. Note: Tuition remissions awarded to graduate
assistants and fellows may not be used to pay for consortium courses at other
universities. Graduate assistants and fellows must pay for any courses they take under the
consortium arrangement.
University of Maryland Policies Governing Registration Through the Consortium
Arrangement
- Degree-seeking graduate students may take courses at other consortium schools, with the
approval of the Director of Graduate Studies of the degree program in which they are
enrolled.
- No more than 25% of the course credits may be taken through the consortium arrangement.
Practica, internships, workshops and similar experiential learning courses cannot be taken
at other consortium schools.
- Significant factors to be considered by the Director of Graduate Studies may include but
are not limited to:
- Unavailability of a similar or comparable course at University of Maryland within a
reasonable time frame. Mere convenience is not adequate justification.
- Possible enhancement of the student's overall program in a way not possible at
University of Maryland, as by the presence of special faculty or the availability of a
course not offered at University of Maryland.
- The level and content of the course, including the nature of prerequisite course work.
Visiting Students
- Students from other consortium schools may register for University of Maryland courses
on a space-available basis beginning with the first day of classes.
- Courses for majors in graduate programs or colleges at University of Maryland that have
limited enrollment will not be available to students from other consortium schools.
- Students from other consortium schools are expected to meet all prerequisites for
University of Maryland courses for which they wish to enroll.
- Students from other consortium schools will not be permitted to register for practica,
workshops, internships, and other experiential courses at University of Maryland.
- Students from other consortium schools who have previously applied for admission to a
University of Maryland graduate degree program and have been denied admission will be
permitted to register for graduate courses in that program only with the specific approval
of the Director of Graduate Studies of the program.
- Students from other consortium schools who have been dismissed from University of
Maryland for disciplinary or financial reasons will not be permitted to enroll in courses
at University of Maryland under the consortium arrangement.
Graduate Credit for Senior Undergraduates
A senior who is in the final semester at University of Maryland and is within seven
credit hours of completing the requirements for an undergraduate degree may obtain
graduate credit for graduate courses 600 and above with the approval of the students
undergraduate school or college, the graduate program, and the Graduate School. Courses
numbered as 400 level are undergraduate courses which are considered part of the
undergraduate degree and will not be approved for graduate credit when taken by an
undergraduate. A 3.0 undergraduate grade point average is required for students seeking to
exercise this option. Courses elected through this program may later be counted for
graduate credit toward an advanced degree at the University if the student is offered
admission to the Graduate School. The total of undergraduate and graduate courses must not
exceed 15 credits for the semester. Excess credits in the senior year cannot be used for
graduate credit unless proper prearrangement is made. Seniors who wish to register for
graduate credit can receive information by contacting the Office of the Director of
Graduate Admissions and Records, 2125 Lee Building.
Undergraduate Credit for Graduate Level Courses
Subject to requirements determined by the graduate program offering the course,
undergraduate students may register for graduate level courses, i.e., those numbered from
600 to 898, with the exception of 799 and 899, for undergraduate credit.
A student who seeks to use this option must be in the senior year, have earned an
accumulated grade point average of 3.0, have successfully completed the prerequisite and
corequisite courses with a grade of "B" or better, and be a major in the
appropriate field or one closely related to the graduate program. The student will be
required to obtain prior approval from the graduate program offering the course.
Enrollment in a graduate level course does not in any way imply subsequent graduate
program or Graduate School approval for admission into a graduate program, nor may the
course be used as credit for a graduate degree at the University of Maryland.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs
A combined bachelor's/master's program may be developed for the individual student. A
combined degree program should be an integrated learning experience for the student, not
simply the completion of a required number of undergraduate and graduate credits. It is
available only to students whose academic performance is exceptional, i.e., students with
outstanding grade point averages and appropriate faculty evaluations and recommendations.
The program must be approved by the dean of the students undergraduate college or school,
the program offering the undergraduate major, the graduate program, and the Graduate
School. No more than nine credits of courses taken at the advanced level (600-level
courses and above) may be applied to both degree programs. No more than one master's
degree may be earned through a combined bachelor's/master's degree program. Students must
complete the bachelors degree before admission to the Graduate School. See your
undergraduate advisor for more details.
Credit by Examination
A student seeking a masters degree may obtain graduate credit by examination in courses
at the 400 level previously identified by the appropriate graduate program. Credit by
examination is not generally available for courses at the 600, 700, and 800 levels.
Students may receive credit by examination only for courses for which they are
otherwise eligible to receive graduate credit. The graduate program in which the student
is enrolled may establish a limit on the number of credits that may be earned in this
manner. Graduate students seeking credit by examination must obtain the consent of their
advisor and the instructor currently responsible for the course. Once the student begins
the examination, the grade earned will be recorded.
Contact the Office of Registration for information on the fee for credit by
examination.
Transfer of Credit
All graduate study credits offered as transfer credit must meet the following criteria:
- No more than six credit hours of graduate work may be transferred from another
institution, unless the program has special approval by the Graduate Council. When
changing programs within University of Maryland, the student may request inclusion of
credits earned at University of Maryland. When moving from non-degree to degree-seeking
status, however, Advanced Special Students may not include more than twelve (12) credits.
- The advisor and director of graduate studies will need to certify that any courses
listed are applicable to the students program and, for non-University of Maryland courses,
that the courses have been revalidated.
- Credit must have been granted by a regionally accredited, U.S. institution or foreign
university. If the latter, evaluation by International Education Services and the Graduate
School is required.
- The courses must be graduate level and have been taken for graduate credit at the
original institution.
- The student must have earned a grade of "B" or better in the course and have a
"B" or better average on all the graduate course work taken at the institution
from which the transfer is requested.
- The credit must not have been used to satisfy the requirements for any other degree.
- The student must furnish an official transcript to the Graduate Records Office.
- Transfer work satisfies only the 400-level requirements for the master's degree and does
not apply to the upper-level requirements.
- The transfer course work must have been taken within seven years of the award of
University of Maryland's master's degree for which the student is currently enrolled. All
other course work must be taken within five years of the masters degree.
A student seeking acceptance of transfer credit is advised to submit the necessary
transcripts and certification of program approval to the Graduate School as promptly as
possible for its review and decision. It should be noted that programs may impose more
stringent requirements and time limitations concerning the transfer of credits. In such
cases the Graduate School must be notified accordingly.
Criteria for Courses to be Accepted for Graduate Credit
Any courses, workshops or seminars planned to take place in a span of time less than a
normal academic semester or summer session and offering graduate credit to the
participants must meet the following criteria:
- There must be 15 "contact hours" per graduate credit.
- Lectures: one contact hour per 50 minutes lecture.
- Non-lecture contact (laboratory, workshops, discussion and problem-working sessions,
etc.): one contact hour per two or three-hour session.
- No more than three "contact hours" per day will be permitted. (Three
"contact hours" are equivalent to 0.2 credits).
- Credit may be accumulated at the rate of no more than one credit per week.
Course and Credit Changes
A graduate student may drop a course, add a course, change between audit and credit
status, change the number of credits for a course within the listed range, cancel
registration or withdraw from the University by obtaining the necessary approvals and
observing the published deadlines and procedures. The deadlines are published each
semester in the Schedule of Classes; the procedures governing each of these
transactions are listed below. Drop/Add and other changes may done in person at the
Registration's Office or through MARS, at 301 403 0500.
Schedule Adjustment
A graduate student, registered in a given semester prior to the end of the schedule
adjustment period, may transact the following schedule adjustments through the tenth week
of classes in that semester: drop/add a course; change grading option; or change credit
level. The transaction requires submitting a Schedule Adjustment Form to the Registrations
Office, 1130 Mitchell Building. There is no refund of tuition and fees for drops processed
after the fifth class day (see Schedule of Classes for further details).
After the tenth day of classes, all graduate students who wish to register are required
to obtain graduate program and instructor authorization on a Graduate School Petition of
Waiver of Regulation and on the add slip. Authorized requests must be delivered to the
Registrar's Office, Mitchell Building.
Students who register after the established registration period period will be assessed
a late registration fee. See the Schedule of Classes for important dates.
Drop / Add, Credit Level and Grading Option Changes
Students who wish to drop or add courses or change their grading option or credit level
in a course may do so without special approval until the tenth class day each semester.
After the tenth class day, graduate program authorization is required until the end of the
tenth week of classes. No credit level changes or grading option changes are permitted
after the tenth week of classes.
Exceptions to this deadline require a petition to the Graduate School which must
include the written approval of the instructor and graduate program director. Petitions
should be submitted to the Graduate School, 2125 Lee Building.
The graduate program stamp must be placed on the change of grading option/credit level
form.
Withdrawal from Classes
The term withdrawal means termination of enrollment with the concomitant withdrawal
from all classes for a given semester. The date of the withdrawal is indicated on a
graduate student's academic record. To withdraw from a semester on or before the last day
of classes a graduate student must notify the Records Office, 1101 Mitchell Building, in
writing or in person. Withdrawal becomes effective on the date notification is received in
the Records Office. Additional information concerning withdrawal from classes can be found
in the Schedule of Classes.
If the time limit in a master's or pre-candidate doctoral student's program has not
lapsed (5 years to obtain a master's degree and 5 years to reach doctoral candidacy), a
graduate student is eligible to enroll without readmission; in such cases the student
should contact the graduate program about registration dates and procedures.
Doctoral candidates must meet minimum registration requirements as specified in this
Catalog.
Resignation From the University
A graduate student wishing to resign from the University (i.e., terminate his or her
graduate student standing) may do so by submitting a letter to the Graduate School
indicating the reasons for the resignation. The Graduate School will cancel the student's
admissions status. If the student is registered for classes at the time of his or her
resignation, the Office of Records and Registrations will be requested to withdraw the
student as of the date of the resignation.
A graduate student seeking to return to University of Maryland after resigning must
reapply for admission and is subject to all graduate program and Graduate School
requirements. He or she may be required to repeat previously elected courses (see time
limits for relevant degree or certificate programs).
Canceling Registration for a Semester
Cancellation of one's entire registration normally takes place before a semester
begins. To cancel registration after the stated deadlines for a given semester (see the Schedule
of Classes), a graduate student must provide a written explanation, with
justification, which has been endorsed by the graduate director of his or her program, to
the Office of the Director of Graduate Admissions and Records. If appropriate, the request
will be processed and, if fees are involved, the necessary adjustments made. The
cancellation of ones registration during the course of a given semester is not meant to be
used as a means of avoiding poor grades.
Grades for Graduate Students
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all graduate level courses taken since
enrollment in the degree program is required for good academic standing and for
graduation. Graduate students are required to meet all graduate program and Graduate
School rules and regulations. Graduate programs may stipulate requirements more stringent
than the minimum standards established by the Graduate School.
Academic Probation Policy
Each graduate student is required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average for all
graduate courses taken since enrollment in the degree program.
A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a "B" (3.0) upon
or after the completion of nine credit hours of graduate level courses will be
automatically placed on academic probation by the Graduate School for the following full
semester.
A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a "B" (3.0) for a
second consecutive semester of enrollment must seek advising in order to correct the
scholastic and/or academic deficiency in the next semester of enrollment for courses.
A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a "B" (3.0)
average for three consecutive semesters of enrollment will not be permitted to re-enroll
and will have his or her admissions status terminated unless the students graduate program
presents compelling reasons for continuance. The request for continuance must be approved
by the Graduate School. Whenever a graduate student is placed on academic probation, both
the graduate student and the graduate director of that students program will be notified.
In addition to the minimum grade point average requirements, graduate programs and
programs may require graduate students to maintain certain performance minima in their
programs of study, and in all or in particular courses. A student who fails to make
satisfactory progress in meeting some or all programmatic requirements, or who fails to
demonstrate the ability to succeed in his or her course of studies or research, may be
required to withdraw from the University. Determinations concerning such matters occur at
the graduate program level.
Grading Systems
The conventional A through F grading system is used in graduate level courses.
A "Satisfactory or Failure" (S-F) grading system may be used for certain
types of graduate study at the discretion of the graduate program. These include courses
that require independent field work, special projects or independent study. Graduate
program seminars, workshops and graduate program courses in instructional methods may also
be appropriate for the S-F grading system.
The "Pass-Fail" grading system is a grading option for undergraduates only.
However, a graduate program may, in certain cases, allow a graduate student to use the
Pass-Fail option for any 100-300 level courses that a student takes. Graduate credit may
not be earned for these courses. The mark of P is equivalent to A, B, C, or D. Either the
A-F or the S-F grading system may be used in thesis and dissertation research, and courses
labeled "Independent Study" or "Special Problems.
Only one grading system may be used for a single course in a particular semester except
for thesis and dissertation credits. The grading system will be designated by the graduate
program or graduate program offering the course.
Grade Point Average Computation
The A is calculated at 4 quality points, B at 3 quality points and C at 2 quality
points. The grades of D, F and I receive no quality points. Students do not earn credit
towards their degree for any courses where they receive a grade of D or F. After a student
is matriculated as a graduate student, all courses taken that are numbered 400 and above
(except 500-level courses, those numbered 799 or 899, and those graded with an S) will be
used in the calculation of the grade point average. A student may repeat any course in an
effort to earn a better grade. Whether higher or lower, the latter grade will be used in
computing the grade point average. Grades for graduate students remain as part of the
student's permanent record. Changes in previously recorded grades may be made if timely
(within one semester) and if the original instructor certifies that an actual mistake was
made in determining or recording the grade. The change must be approved by the Department
chair and the Dean of the Graduate School.
No course taken after August 23, 1974, will be considered "not applicable"
for the purpose of computing the grade point average of a graduate student. No graduate
credit transferred from another institution will be included in the calculation of the
grade point average.
Academic Record (Transcript)
A graduate student's academic record (transcript) is intended to serve as a complete
history of the student's academic progress at University of Maryland. As such, it cannot
be altered except in conformance with stated Graduate School policies governing change of
election. Under no circumstances will academic records be altered because of
dissatisfaction with a grade or other academic accomplishment.
