Executive Education Programs

All Executive Education Programs require an Executive Education Agreement between UMD and the sponsor. Some sponsoring organizations may also require a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

A limited number of University personnel are authorized to sign agreements with external organizations. The President, Provost, and Vice Presidents have signature authority, as do some administrative units that have a delegated signature authority memo. EXST is an administrative unit that has signature authority for an Executive Education Agreement or an NDA. Deans, directors, and department chairs may have signature authority for offer letters and other matters related to employment, appointment, promotion, and tenure, but do not have signature authority for Executive Education Agreements or NDAs with external organizations.

The State of Maryland can void agreements that are signed without authority. Additionally, certain agreement terms can impose personal civil and criminal liability on the individual who signs. For example, it is illegal for a state employee (including all University employees) to sign an agreement that creates an “unfunded liability,” which is any clause that might result in the University having to pay unspecified amounts of money (e.g., indemnification, warranty). A state employee who signs such a clause may be held personally liable for the cost of the unfunded liability and may be subject to up to 2 years in prison. (See Maryland Code Annotated, State Finance and Procurement Article, Section 7-237 and Maryland Constitution, Article III, Section 32.) On a positive note, University personnel are protected from liability by the Maryland Tort Claims Act so long as personnel are acting within the scope of their employment. It is crucial not to waive this protection by signing an either an Executive Education Agreement or NDA without authority.

EXST is authorized to sign agreements related to Executive Education provided the agreement does not utilize any federal government funds (including federal flow-down funding) or contain any federal terms and conditions. If the agreement does include federal funding, flow-down funding, or flow-down terms and conditions, including Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, then the agreement should be routed through the Office of Research Administration (ORA).  In addition, agreements with an international component must be routed to the Office of International Affairs – Developing Programs.

Executive Education Programs can be offered in-person, blended, or 100% online. All delivery arrangements are the responsibility of the campus unit.  

Campus units have the option to use Open Learning to facilitate the Executive Education offering. Open Learning is the university’s all-in-one non-credit learning solution that offers a registration system, payment gateway, seamless integration with Canvas and automated certificates of completion. Open Learning provides access to static non-credit course content (e.g., syllabi, schedules, announcements, etc.) and includes the same interactive tools found in Canvas (e.g., discussion groups, live chats, and online assessments). 

In addition, depending on the program’s target audience, campus units may find it appropriate to offer University of Maryland Continuing Education Units (UMD CEUs). Based upon a nationally recognized measure, UMD CEUs are awarded for the successful completion of Open Learning non-credit courses designed to improve knowledge and skills of professionals in the field. Extended Studies is authorized to award and issue a digital UMD CEUs Certificate of Completion which signifies completion. The certificate is valid for any organization that recognizes UMD CEUs. EXST maintains a record of all UMD CEUs awarded for five (5) years. There is an associated cost of $25 per certificate. Neither awarded UMD CEUs nor the certificate post to the university transcript.

Fee for Service Pricing

• Pricing for Executive Education offerings is a fee for service that campus units negotiate with the Sponsor.  
• The fee for service can be based on either a flat or per person rate. 

Administrative Services Fee

• For provided services, the Extended Studies administrative fee is 10% of gross revenue. 
  

Campus units manage all student participation. If there is an online element (synchronous or asynchronous), then campus units manage access to and creation of the content.

Executive Education offerings do not post to a University of Maryland transcript and do not appear on a student's academic record. Participants in Executive Education programs do not earn a grade nor credit.

Additionally, participants do not receive a university ID nor are they given access to university facilities such as recreation facilities, transportation, and campus events. Participants may access UMD Libraries as Visitors; see University Libraries – Information for Visitors. 

• For program assistance, contact Bill Aarhus, Assistant Director, Strategic Initiatives for Continuing Education, at 5-3134 or aarhus@umd.edu. 
• For financial assistance, contact Verenice Ciciliano, Senior Business Manager, at 5-9944 or vcicilia@umd.edu.
• Campus units can send general questions to exst@umd.edu.