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Professional Graduate Programs

University Policies

Medical History and Immunization Record

  • Graduate students are required to submit proof of immunizations online prior to the first day of their first semester/term. Failure to comply will lead to a registration block which only the University Health Center can remove.
  • For complete information, including the University Health Center Immunization Record Form, see University Health Center Immunization Services.
  • Also, see Immunization Frequently Asked Questions.

Health Insurance

COVID-19 Requirements

  • COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty, and staff.
  • For deadlines, consequences, and how to submit confirmation of vaccination status, see COVID-19 Vaccine Information.

Questions?

See Contact University Health Center

Continuous Registration Policy

Depending on the calendar of the graduate program into which a student has been admitted, graduate students must register for courses each semester (fall/spring) or each term (I, II, III, and IV) until the degree is awarded. See the Graduate School’s Continuous Registration Policy and Petition for Waiver of Continuous Registration Form.

Leave of Absence

Academic Probation

  • The Graduate School monitors a student’s grade point average each semester or term. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation by the Graduate School.  When a student is placed on probation, the Graduate School will notify both the student and the Graduate Director of the student's program. Permission of the academic advisor and the Graduate Director will be required for a student on probation to register for courses. For complete information, see the Graduate School’s Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy.
  • International students who are dismissed from the University can no longer remain on UMD immigration sponsorship. Students facing this possible outcome must contact the University’s International Student and Scholar Services to discuss possible options.

Withdrawal from Classes

Resignation from the University

Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status

  • The Graduate School uses a unit system in making calculations to determine full-time or part-time enrollment status.  For complete information, see The Graduate School, Registration Policies, Designation of Full-time and Part-time Status.
  • For programs that use the semester academic calendar (16-week fall and spring semesters) and offers courses at the 400- and above level, generally this translates to the following:
    • Full-time means that a graduate student must register for program courses totaling nine credits or more per semester (fall/spring).
    • Part-time means that a graduate student registers for program courses totaling eight credits or less per semester (fall/spring).
  • For programs that use the term academic calendar (12-week terms: I (fall), II (winter), III (spring), IV (summer)) and offer courses at the 400- and above level, generally this translates to the following:
    • Full-time means that a graduate student must register for program courses totaling six credits or more per 12-week term.
    • Part-time means that a graduate student registers for program courses totaling five credits or less per 12-week term.

Other Graduate School Policies

For a complete listing of all Graduate School policies, see The Graduate Catalog.

International students with questions on enrollment, status, leave of absence, extensions on their I-20/DS2019, OPT, etc., work with the University’s International Student and Scholar Services.

  • A graduate student may drop a course, add a course, change between audit and credit status, change the number of credits for a course within the listed range, cancel registration or withdraw from the University without special approval until the end of Schedule Adjustment Period. No credit level changes or grading option changes are permitted after the "Graduate Student Deadline To" date.
  • The Schedule Adjustment Period begins on the first day of the semester/term and continues for at least one day or more depending on the individual semester/term.
  • Cancellation of registration means that the student cancels their enrollment in all courses prior to the first day of classes for a semester/term. Students who cancel registration prior to the first day of classes receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees. Failure to attend class does not result in automatic cancellation nor is a student relieved of any academic and/or financial obligation. Courses dropped prior to the first day of classes will not appear on the student record, nor count towards the number of attempts a student has for any given course.
  • Students process the cancellation of registration prior to the first day of classes via Testudo (See Registration (Drop/Add).
  • Graduate students planning to return in a subsequent semester/term must also submit the Petition for Waiver of Continuous Registration Form.
  • Graduate students wishing to terminate their graduate student standing, see Resignation from the University.
  • Once the semester/term starts, graduate students are able to drop courses without permission until the posted deadline to “Drop a Course.” Courses dropped during this time will not appear on the official transcript. A full credit is not available for courses dropped on or after the first day of classes. See Penalties for Drops During Schedule Adjustment.
  • Dropping all courses before the semester/term begins constitutes a cancellation from the semester/term. See Cancellation of Registration (above) for more details.
  • Dropping all courses after the semester/term starts constitutes a withdrawal from the semester/term. See Withdrawal (below) for more details.

Appeal Form and Deadlines

Access TerpEngage-EXST Forms to submit the Appeal Form. 

  • Select Log In with UMD Directory ID to access the portal.
  • Select My Forms.
  • Select Start New Form.
  • Select Appeal Request for Exception to Academic Policy from the dropdown and select Save and Continue.
  • Complete and submit the Appeal Form.
  • Attach documentation. See How to Attach Documentation details, below.

The average review time is 30 business days (Monday - Friday, excluding holidays) from the date that the appeal and all documentation are received. Confirmation of the decision is sent to the email address listed on the appeal form.

Required Supporting Documentation

  • Appeal (Exception to Academic Policy) requests due to extenuating circumstances relating to a student's registration require a formal written appeal. An appeal will not be considered until documentation supporting the claims made in the appeal is received.
  • Medical: Documentation from health care/mental health care provider must be typed and signed on official letterhead. General emails or unsigned letters on a plain stationary are not acceptable. Ask the health care/mental health provider to provide the following information:
    • Name of health care/mental health care provider
    • Type of Practice/Specialty
    • Title/Degree
    • Practice Address
    • Practice Telephone
    • Practice Email
    • License Number
    • License Board
    • Brief statement of support
    • Signature
  • Death in the Family: Copy of death certificate (or verification of death from hospital or attending physician, typed and signed on official letterhead) with a statement of the deceased's relation to the student. Emails or unsigned letters on plain stationary are not acceptable.
  • Course Instructor or Academic Advisor: May submit a statement of support on department letterhead or from the instructor/academic advisor’s campus email. The statement must include the student name, UID, course information, date of registration, and an explanation of why the course instructor or academic advisor supports the appeal.
  • Approved Appeal from College/Department: Some Colleges/Departments require that the appeal be sent to them first for requests that have academic ramifications such as late/retroactive changes to the student record. Our office will assist with this process.

How to Attach Documentation

After submitting the Appeal Request for Exception to Academic Policy, return to the portal landing page to upload documentation to support your appeal request.

  1. Locate the Application Materials Section at the bottom of the portal homepage.
  2. Select Click here next to Upload Documents.
  3. On the Application Required Documents page, select the desired Document Name from the list.
  4. Select Upload and choose the file to submit. After uploading, the file will be listed in the File List Section.
    • To add additional files for the same document type, select Upload again and choose a new file.
    • Note: Files must all have distinct names.
  5. Select Back to return to the portal landing page. 
  6. To add a different document type, repeat the steps above.

Questions?

  • Use the EXST contact form. Include full name, program name, and a complete statement regarding the request.

To obtain a UMD transcript, see Transcripts - Office of the Registrar.
 

See Request Enrollment Verification for those who require proof of enrollment.

Questions? Contact Us