Prospective Students

Frequently Asked Questions - Graduate School of Management and Technology

Congratulations on taking another step toward achieving your academic goals at UMUC! As you get started, you're sure to have questions about our graduate academic programs, tuition and payment options, and more.

Below are answers to questions frequently asked by our new and prospective graduate students to help you get started.

Answers

Getting Started

Do I need to take a GRE or GMAT to be admitted?

UMUC does not consider the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in its admissions decisions. We have found that standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT are not valid indicators of graduate school success for people who have been out of any type of educational program for five or more years. We believe that your life and work experience are better measures of your future success at University of Maryland University College.
What documentation do I need to submit to be admitted?

UMUC requires official transcripts from the institution where you completed your most recent degree (bachelors degree or higher). If you completed your studies outside of the United States, we will need your transcripts evaluated by an independent transcript evaluation agency as well as sufficient (Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.
Can I test out of graduate program requirements, or can my life experiences count for credit?

No, we do not offer life experience credit at the graduate level. We do however accept transfer credits.
How many credits can I transfer into the graduate program?

The Graduate School will accept up to six compatible credits (three credits for MBA students) from an incomplete graduate program at another accredited institution. A student has up to seven years (five for the MBA program) to complete a master’s degree program at UMUC starting from the time they enrolled in the earliest transferred course.
How many courses may I take while awaiting an admissions decision?

While awaiting admission to the Graduate School, students may register for one 3-credit course and the non-credit UCSP 611 Library Skills course.
What is the turnaround time for an admission decision?

An admission decision should be reached within one week of receiving your transcripts (transcript evaluation and TOEFL scores for international students).
Who is UMUC accredited through?

UMUC is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Telephone: 215-662-5606).

Academic Timeline

How long will it take me to finish?

The MBA program is structured differently from our other graduate programs. Students who remain consistently enrolled (fall, spring, winter, and summer) can earn their MBA in two years. All other graduate degree programs can be completed within two-years by consistently taking two 3-credit courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Do I have to finish a graduate degree or graduate certificate within a specific time period?

Yes. All coursework must be completed within seven years depending on the degree program: the MBA program allows five years for completion; all other programs allow seven years. Students have three years to complete any certificate that is 18 credits or less and five years to complete any certificate above 18 credits. If you transfer credits into a program, that time period could be less. Please talk to an enrollment specialist or your advisor about your specific circumstances.

Tuition and Fees

How much does it cost to attend UMUC?

Students can find the most recent information by visiting Tuition and Fees.
Is there a payment plan or are scholarships available?

Yes. Learn more about the convenient Payment Options available to you.
How can I use my VA Benefits?

While attending UMUC, students receiving DVA benefits should be aware of DVA regulations and student responsibilities. Get more information about UMUC veteran benefits, regulations, and required paperwork.

Transcript Information

Where do I send my official transcripts?

Have your official transcripts mailed to:

University of Maryland University College
Graduate Admissions, Room 3219
3501 University Blvd., East
Adelphi, Maryland 20783

Prerequisites

I’m interested in your graduate accounting program. Are there any prerequisites?

Yes. All graduate-level accounting programs require at least 15 credits of accounting coursework on file before you may register into any graduate level accounting course. You are welcome to satisfy the prerequisite with UMUC or elsewhere with another regionally accredited university or college.
If I don’t have the accounting prerequisites, does that mean I can’t start my graduate program?

No. You are welcome to begin your graduate program; however, you will not be permitted to take any graduate-level accounting course until we have proof of at least 15 credits of accounting coursework on file.
Which accounting courses should I take to satisfy the 15 credit prerequisite?

Students who have not taken any accounting courses are encouraged to take Principles of Accounting I & II, Intermediate Accounting I & II, and either a Cost Accounting, Taxation, or Auditing course. Please note that we will NOT consider accounting software, computerized accounting or accounting, information systems coursework, or accounting law toward the 15 credits required.

Online Study

I'm taking classes online. Do I ever have to go to campus?

No. There is no need to go to a campus. You have full access to everything you will need as an online student—admission, registration, counseling, financial aid, veterans benefits, textbook ordering and delivery, and library services. For more than 30 years, the UMUC Graduate School has been setting the standard in distance education for working adults worldwide. You are welcome to attend on-campus graduation.

International Students

I’m an international student. What do I need to provide to be admitted?

In addition to the completed Graduate Application Form, applicants educated in countries other than the United States must have their official transcripts evaluated by an independent evaluation service to determine if it is at least equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher. The evaluation company will send a copy of the evaluation both to the applicant and to University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

UMUC will accept transcript evaluations from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO):

AACRAO Foreign Education Credential Service
Phone: 202-296-3359
Fax: 202-822-3940
E-mail: oies@aacrao.org

AACRAO Foreign Education Evaluation Request

UMUC will also accept credit evaluations from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved agency, including World Education Series (WES).

Review the NACES approved list of agencies at www.naces.org/members.htm
If your program of interest requires proof of coursework, please have your transcript evaluated as "course-by-course", otherwise we need only a general (or basic) evaluation for comparability.

To be eligible for admission, students educated outside of the United States must demonstrate English proficiency please refer to http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/international/gr_admission.shtml to review the current requirements.
- The UMUC TOEFL score recovery code is 5804. Test scores must be less than two years old.
- View a complete listing of countries that are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.