Undergraduate Programs Online

Students apply to UMD through the Undergraduate Admissions application, specifying the major to which they are applying. On the application, students may indicate that they are interested in the Online Program.

Whereas academic directors review applications and make recommendations, Undergraduate Admissions makes the final determination.

Students are admitted as undergraduate transfer students directly into their degree (unique major code). Students also receive a College Park UID number, directory ID, and email.

Each Undergraduate Program Online has an academic program director. Responsible for managing overall scheduling and instruction, the academic program director also oversees marketing and recruitment admission, orientation, registration, on-going advising, academic exceptions, and graduation clearance.

As admitted UMD students, participants are subject to all University policies and procedures. Students appear on regular class rosters and grade sheets; grades are submitted in the same manner as for College Park students. Students register and access course schedules, grades, request grade reports, etc. via Testudo. Students may also take courses at College Park in the fall or spring semesters providing they meet course requirements and obtain advisor permission.

The academic unit provides complete oversight on the course selection and scheduling process. Courses offered align with degree requirements. The Department of English also offers sections in Professional Writing for students to complete that requirement.

EXST meets with program directors to determine interest in upper level courses that would be offered to meet General Education requirements.

Courses offered in the fall or spring semesters follow the Undergraduate Programs Scheduling Guidelines. Courses offered in summer or winter follow the scheduling guidelines of either Summer Session or Winter Session. Courses offered must meet the Maryland Higher Education Commission's (MHEC) policies on "contact hours". 

Undergraduate Programs Online use the Approved Semester Calendar and follow the standard 15-week semester calendar (fall or spring) with the standard final exam schedule. For specific start and end dates with corresponding technical, record integrity, and financial-related specifications, see the Office of the Registrar – University Calendars and Deadlines.

Individual program microsites provide information on the admission process, course offerings, advising, orientation, registration, requirements, services and resources, academic and financial deadlines, tuition and fees, and payment information.

Teaching Policies and Guidelines

• For information on syllabi, textbooks, final grades, deadlines and more, see Office of Faculty Affairs – Teaching Policies and Guidelines.
• The process for arranging textbooks with the bookstore and adding this information into Testudo is the same one utilized for College Park undergraduate courses.
• Final grade insertion deadlines for Undergraduate Programs Online sections are the same as those for College Park undergraduate courses.

Closing or Delayed Openings

Instructors are expected to update ELMS/Canvas and directly communicate with students in the event of a delay or closure due to weather. Undergraduate Programs Online may continue to operate when the College Park campus is closed.

Tuition

Assessed standard undergraduate tuition based on University-approved residency rates.

• Part-time tuition (registered for 1-11 credits) is charged at a per credit rate. 
• Full-time tuition (registered for 12+ credits) is charged at a flat rate.
• Tuition for summer and winter sessions is charged at a per credit rate.
• Differential tuition is assessed as per University-approved policy. 
• Tuition rates are posted at Student Financial Services – Tuition and Fees – Undergraduate.
• Determination of residency status is made according to the Board of Regents Policy on Student Residency Classification.

Mandatory Fees

Students have the option to pay the College Park Campus Mandatory Fee to gain full access to College Park services. Students are registered for course/section UMCP001 which generates a charge on the student’s account for College Park student services.

Course Fees

Assessed if a student registers for a course with a University-approved fee (lab, studio, materials).

Student Payment Schedule

The payment schedule for registration associated with classes offered in Undergraduate Programs Online is in alignment with University protocols and is posted at Student Financial Services - Billing Schedule.

The information below pertains to Undergraduate Programs Online in the fall and spring semester.

Extended Studies Administrative Fee

• For provided administrative services, EXST charges 10% of gross tuition revenue. 
• This does not include differential tuition which is deposited directly into the College account.

Direct Expenses

• Course-related costs includes instructional salaries, fringe benefits, and the EXST administrative fee.
• Information on allowable expenses are published in the scheduling guidelines.

Net Revenue 

• Distributable tuition revenue for Undergraduate Programs Online major-coded students after all direct course expenses have been deducted.

Distribution 

• Distribution is based on academic unit ownership of course/section offerings and not program-based.
• Distribution is based on an academic unit’s entire suite of course/section offerings rather than individual courses, allowing for the occasional under-enrolled course as needed for timely degree completion.
• Net revenue, fall semester, is distributed by March 1; net revenue, spring semester, is distributed by third week June. All net revenue is distributed to the program.
• Net revenue for courses offered in Summer Session or Winter Session are part of those sessions’ distribution protocols.

Overhead

• EXST absorbs the campus overhead rate on all direct expenses.

• For course and program assistance, contact Anne Baum, Associate Director, Summer, Winter, and Undergraduate Programs, at 5-7762 or abaum@umd.edu.
• For budgeting, distribution, and operational assistance, contact Andrew Leighton, Director of Finance and Operations, at 5-0212 or aleighto@umd.edu.
• Undergraduate Programs Online, academic units use exst@umd.edu (general questions) or oes-ug-sched@umd.edu (scheduling-related questions).