Announcements

The Graduate School currently does not have policy or guidance on whether and to what extent current graduate students can be involved in graduate admissions. We have learned that some programs involve current graduate students in their admissions process whereas others do not. At the request of the Council of Associate Deans of Graduate Education (CADGE), the Graduate School prepared draft guidance in collaboration with the Graduate Council (approved November 24, 2020).

On November 16, the Provost emailed all students announcing that the deadline to withdraw from a course has been extended to November 30 to provide students who have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic conditions with more flexibility.  In considering your options, it is important that graduate students and program advisors understand the potential implications of withdrawing from a course (or an entire semester) so they can work together to make an informed decision.

The Graduate School announces improvements to the remote thesis/dissertation defense process. Please visit our website for more information.

This document offers suggestions to directors of graduate studies and faculty supervisors about how to balance the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on graduate assistants with the need to continue unit operations, offer high-quality instruction to undergraduate students, and support research excellence. 

UMD President Darryl Pines announced on August 10 that while Fall 2020 semester graduate courses and research will begin as scheduled on August 31, undergraduate classes will begin virtually on that date, until at least September 14. 

Updated 8/24/2020

Dear graduate student community, Like you, I am horrified and saddened by the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and too many others due to racial violence.  Many of you, particularly African American / Black students and other students of color, are frustrated and angry, and I stand with you in demanding racial and social justice. 

We invite all UMD international undergraduate and graduate students to join us on May 27th at 4pm for a virtual International Student Community Meeting with Senior Vice President and Provost Mary Ann Rankin, Associate Provost and Graduate School Dean Steve Fetter, and Associate Vice President for International Affairs Ross Lewin. We will discuss concerns specific to the international student community, and share updates about resources and support the University is providing for students at this time. We will also address any questions you may have. 

Join the Graduate School on May 26-29 for the 4th annual Summer Symposium: Invest In Your Success. This four-day virtual workshop series includes sessions focused on staying motivated, setting goals, and making progress with writing and career plans. Sessions will be held from 10-11:30am each day.   Tuesday, May 26

The Graduate Council approved a new policy on Remote Dissertation or Thesis Defense in a Public Health Emergency. Read the full policy here.    President Loh has suspended on-campus instruction from March 16 until April 10. Please follow the guidance below for dissertation/thesis defenses scheduled from now until the end of the semester: