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Self-Support Professional Graduate Programs

Extended Studies Services

Overview 

Extended Studies (EXST) is a self-support unit reporting to the Senior Associate Provost. EXST provides administrative services for a broad range of self-support initiatives that include program development and delivery, program management, marketing and communication, student and program services, and financial management.  Developed in partnership with University of Maryland units, these credit and non-credit initiatives target a diverse range of students at the pre-college, undergraduate, graduate, and professional level. By providing quality, innovative learning opportunities, EXST extends the University’s commitment to being a preeminent national center for graduate education, and the institution of choice for undergraduates of exceptional ability and promise.

Extended Studies provides administrative services for the following programs: Summer Session, Pre-College Programs, Winter Session, Freshmen Connection, Undergraduate Programs at the Universities at Shady Grove, Undergraduate Programs at University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland, Professional Graduate Programs, Post-Baccalaureate Programs, Continuing Education (Open Learning), Executive Education, and MOOCs. EXST issues the following documentation:

  1. Administrative Services Overview. Serves as an outline for EXST processes which are in alignment with UMD policies and procedures.
  2. Scheduling Guidelines. Provides in-depth instructions and assists academic units in the scheduling of course offerings.
  3. Appointment Creation Guidebook. Covers how to create specific budget line items and each possible type of faculty appointment.

Extended Studies administrative services described below pertain to Self-Support Graduate Programs.  

  • Act as a resource for compliance with University regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Assist with Programs, Curricula and Courses (PCC) proposal development and submission preparation. 
    • Budget development and projections. 
    • Library assessment.
    • In-house market research and employment projection study.
  • Oversee process for the approval of program-related tuition and fees.
  • Assist with New Course Proposal(s) as needed.
  • Liaise with UMD administrative offices and act as a resource on university policies and procedures.
  • Upon program approval, track major code assignment, provide systems access information, and monitor creation of program application site.
  • Manage the Course Charge Processor (CCP) review and update process for program-related tuition and fees.
  • Manage the annual approval process for program-related tuition increases.  
  • Meet regularly with academic program directors.
  • Provide overall general program marketing that includes the development and implementation of a program tactical plan based on market research. 
  • EXST has a university approved contract with a full-service marketing agency. EXST does not provide marketing support for individual programs but individual programs may access the contract directly via Procurement and Business Services to request marketing directly from this vendor.
  • Develop and host the official program microsite, which provides detailed information on overall information on admission, tuition and fees, advising and curriculum, plan of study, registration, academic and financial deadlines, university policies, payment and financial aid, UMD services and resources, and newly admitted student requirements.

Scheduling

  • Oversee scheduling process in accordance with the University’s Scheduling Office timelines and procedures.
  • Provide the Self-Support Graduate Programs Scheduling Guidelines. Instructions outline important university deadlines and policies.
  • Using program-specific section code, and major code restrictions, ensure that information posts accurately on Testudo.
  • Audit and review for accuracy (i.e., section numbers, center codes, delivery methods, dates, course attributes).
  • Ensure compliance with MHEC polices on minimum contact hours.
  • Assist with staff inquiries.

Admissions

  • Oversee admissions process, including application, transcript tracking, and review and provisionally admitting students based on defined program admission requirements.
  • Inform students via email on admission decisions.
  • Provide newly admitted students with information on how to access UMD systems and resources, and fulfill other requirements.

Registration

  • Notify major-coded students, via email, when registration opens for each semester.
  • Provide instructions and assistance with the University’s standard online registration system.
  • Assist with cancellation, withdraw, leave of absence, waiver of continuing registration, and other academic deadlines.
  • Liaise with Office of the Registrar for troubleshooting student issues.

Student Financial Services

  • Ensure that tuition and fees post accurately to student accounts.
  • Review and reconcile Central Collection reports.
  • Assist with student inquiries.
  • Liaise with the Financial Service Center, Financial Aid, Veterans Office, Third Party Billing, and the Academic Unit to resolve issues.

Other

  • Respond to student inquiries or direct to the appropriate unit. 
  • Liaise with other units to troubleshoot administrative and technical issues.
  • Coordinate the academic and financial appeals process in consultation with the academic program director.
  • Provide student-based data upon request.
  • Provide with assistance on how to access UMD systems and information (SIS, ELMS, etc.) and provide training upon request.
  • Manage the implementation of CCP updates with Student Financial Services and Cashiering.
  • Manage course budgeting, contracting, and payment processing, following University guidelines. Detailed information is included in the Self-Support Graduate Programs Scheduling Guidelines and Appointment Guidebook.
  • Provide Breakeven Enrollment Reports.
  • Collect course revenue and ensure that allowable course-related expenses are reconciled prior to net revenue distribution.
  • Provide transparent accounting through the net revenue distribution report.
  • Ensure timely net revenue distribution to academic unit identified KFS accounts.
  • For program assistance, contact Matthew Nessan, Associate Director, Professional and Continuing Education, at 5-8240 or mnessan@umd.edu. 
  • For budgeting, distribution, and operational assistance, contact Andrew Leighton, Director of Finance and Operations, at 5-0212 or aleighto@umd.edu.
  • For Self-Support Graduate Programs, academic units should use exst@umd.edu (general questions) or pp-sched@umd.edu (scheduling-related questions).
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