University of Maryland - Office of Professional Studies: Keep Learning

Academic Policies

Credit Overview

The semester hour is the unit of credit. University of Maryland students who are pursuing a degree or certificate will be given credit toward the appropriate degree or certificate for satisfactory completion of each course. Each student is responsible for determining the applicability of courses selected to the degree or certificate program and is urged to consult with her or his academic advisor.

Grading Options

Audit: A student may register to audit a course or courses in which space is available. Tuition and fees are the same as when taken for credit. The notation "AUD" is placed on the transcript for each course audited. Courses taken for audit are not included in the calculation of full-time/part-time status.

Pass/Fail: Graduate students are not eligible for the pass-fail grading for courses numbered 400 and above.

Designation of Full & Part-Time Status

The Graduate School uses a unit system in making calculations to determine full- or part-time student status. Please note that graduate units are different from 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: 600-897 carry 6 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. Audited courses do not generate graduate units and cannot be used in calculating full-time or part-time status.

Courses Canceled By The University Of Maryland

The University of Maryland reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment or other valid administrative reasons. Once a course has been canceled, students enrolled in that class are entitled to a full refund of tuition and fees associated with that course. Cancellation of a course may occur close to the first day of class; however, the university makes every effort to inform students of such changes so that there is an opportunity to make alternate course selections or arrangements.

Final Grades

Final grades are available online approximately one week after then end of each course. Grade reports are not mailed automatically at the end of each term. However, students may submit a request to have a grade report mailed to their home address by accessing www.testudo.umd.edu, clicking on "Records and Registration" on the left of the page and then "View Grades." A student ID and password will be required to access this information.

Grade reports are usually mailed within two weeks of the initial request. Grade report requests will not be honored for students owing a financial obligation to the University.

Transcript Requests

Official Transcripts can be requested in several ways. There is no fee.

  • Online: Request via Testudo.
  • Mail or Fax: Your request should include your full name, student ID number, term for which you attended, your daytime telephone number and signature. Send the request to:
    Student Services
    Mitchell Building, 1st Floor
    University of Maryland
    College Park, MD 20742
    Fax: 301-314-1282
  • In person: Student Services, Mitchell Building, 1st Floor. Complete a transcript request form.

Graduation

Students beginning the last semester of their masters program requirements may apply for their diploma via the Web at: www.testudo.umd.edu. Click on "Records and Registration" then "Apply for Graduation." A student ID and password will be required to access this application. An official University of Maryland diploma will be mailed approximately one month after the degree has been posted to your academic record. You may request official transcripts as noted above as soon as the degree has been posted, or may request it earlier using the "hold for degree" option.

Students beginning the last semester of their certificate program requirements should contact SPOC. SPOC will review your progress towards the certificate and request your certificate be posted at the end of the appropriate semester. An official University of Maryland certificate will be mailed approximately one month after the certificate has been posted to your academic record. You may request official transcripts as noted above as soon as the certificate has been posted.

Please Note: Not applicable to Master's of Life Sciences Program

Any questions regarding graduation eligibility may be directed to SPOC.

Immunization Policy

The University of Maryland requires all students, including graduate and transfer students, to provide proof of immunization dates. Please visit http://www.health.umd.edu/forms/Immuform07.pdf to download the immunization form. This DOES NOT apply to online students.

Please contact SPOC if you have any questions about immunization forms.

All Other Policies

Any policy not addressed above will follow the official University Policy as found in the Graduate Catalog found at www.gradschool.umd.edu/catalog. Please contact SPOC if you have any question on policies and how they apply to your program.