The Undergraduate Experience

In keeping with the university's mission of putting "Students First," The Undergraduate School redesigned its curriculum in Fall 2011 to help create a more direct path to your educational and professional goals. Here are some of the benefits of the new curriculum:

• Programs that deliver real-world application
  The needs of the workforce are constantly changing. Industry input into program development has helped UMUC define learning goals that are in sync with what employers want and what students need. You should gain valuable, applicable knowledge and relevant skills from each course.
  
• Final course assessments that mirror real-world scenarios
  During our curriculum review, final course assessments were also reconsidered. Your course may require a final exam, or your instructor may have you complete a project or report that demonstrates your ability to apply what you've learned to real-world scenarios. Check your specific class syllabus for details. All final assessments are designed to let you show your knowledge of course materials, and practice essential skills such as critical thinking and problem solving.
  
• Improved sequencing of coursework
  All courses in a program were reviewed and aligned with program goals to create a clearer pathway for you to complete your program.
  
• Flexible scheduling options
  Staggered, eight-week sessions per semester provide less overlap between courses, so you can focus more on each one and reduce the stress caused by competing course demands. Plus, UMUC has added more hybrid courses (a combination of online and face-to-face instruction) to many of its programs, giving you more options. Find session dates below:
  
  UMUC Stateside
  UMUC Asia
  UMUC Europe
  
• Streamlined degree completion

  The combination of more flexible scheduling and improved sequencing helps you complete your program more efficiently, so you can graduate sooner.
  

• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

  SAP is short for Satisfactory Academic Progress. All students who receive financial aid must make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. SAP consists of a student's completion rate and GPA. You must pass a minimum of 67 percent of all attempted courses and maintain a GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate programs 3.0 for graduate programs. Students who fail to meet one of the above standards will lose their eligibility for financial aid.
  

For questions about our undergraduate curriculum, please e-mail connect@umuc.edu.