Universities at Shady Grove (USG)

Students apply to UMD through the Undergraduate Admissions application, specifying both the offered major and USG as the preferred campus location. A dedicated Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator is responsible for the admission process, filling program enrollment, and recruitment (as needed). Approved programs are entered into the application database before an upcoming year’s application cycle begins.

Whereas the academic directors review applications and make recommendations, Undergraduate Admissions makes the final determination. UG Programs at USG has rolling admissions with a priority deadline of June 1 for fall admission and November 15 for spring admission (if applicable). Students are admitted as undergraduate transfer students directly into their degree (major code) with a member code of 17. Students also receive a College Park UID, directory ID, and email. Students receive a USG ID card.

Each program has an academic program director who serves as liaison between the UMD home academic unit, the Director of College Park Programs, and USG resource units. Responsible for managing overall scheduling and instruction, the academic program director also oversees marketing and recruitment (primarily with local community colleges), 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. Shady Grove 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 consults with program directors and schedules sections of Professional Writing for the fall and spring semesters. EXST also consults with program directors to determine interest in upper level General Education requirements. EXST works directly with College Park academic units to schedule these courses, which are offered through online delivery.

Each program features traditional in-person instruction. Some courses are offered via online learning. In-person classes meet in Shady Grove campus classrooms. Whereas classroom services, including technology needs, are provided by USG, student technology is covered by UMD’s Division of Information Technology.

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

UG Programs at USG 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.

A list of programs and academic directors may be found at the USG microsite: see UMD-USG. 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 and USG Instructor Services

• 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. Students taking courses at USG purchase books online from the USG Bookstore – MBS Direct Online or at the University Book Center at the College Park campus.
• Final grade insertion deadlines for USG sections are the same as those for College Park sections.

Closing or Delayed Openings

The decision to close or delay opening is based on existing conditions at USG. 

• USG Website
• USG Phone Line: 301-738-6000
• To sign up for direct notification of weather or other emergency conditions via text message or email, see USG Campus Alert System.

Tuition

Registered students are assessed standard undergraduate tuition based on University-approved residency rates. For tuition purposes, all courses for which a student is registered are included (whether held at USG or College Park).

• 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

Registered students are assessed USG 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 at Shady Grove is in alignment with University protocols and is posted at Student Financial Services - Billing Schedule.

The information below pertains to undergraduate programs offering courses at USG in the fall and spring semesters.

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 instructions.

Net Revenue 

• Distributable tuition revenue is calculated for UG Programs at USG major-coded students (member 17) after all direct course expenses have been deducted.

Distribution 

• Distribution is generally based on program ownership of a course/section. At the start of each fall/spring semester, Program Directors must assign course ownership.
• Distribution is based on an academic unit’s entire suite of course/section offerings for UG Programs at USG 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.
• For UG Programs at USG, academic units use exst@umd.edu (general questions) or oes-ug-sched@umd.edu (scheduling-related questions).