Admitted Terp Scholars

Set Up UMD Accounts

Directory ID and Password

• Activate Directory ID
• Change the drop-down menu from "Last 5 SSN" to "UID Number" and use the UID provided in admission email to log in.

TERPmail

• Set up TERPmail Passphrase. A TERPmail account is automatically created for students who activate their Directory ID. Students receive instructions on setting up a TERPmail passphrase via the email used on their application.
• TERPmail is UMD's official means of communication and is required for access to UMD Wireless Networks and UMD's electronic learning management system (ELMS). 
• Need help? Contact itsupport@umd.edu.

Multi-Factor Authentication

• Enroll in Multi-Factor Authentication.

Grant Access to Student Academic and Financial Records

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• Terp Scholars are admitted to the University of Maryland as non-degree seeking students for the Summer Session. As such, they are subject to university policies, including FERPA. This federal law states that the access rights that the parents/legal guardian has in the secondary school setting are transferred to the student once the student has turned eighteen, or is attending any post-secondary educational institution. UMD employees, including instructors, are prohibited from sharing individual information unless the student provides consent.
• For more information, see Student Privacy (FERPA Explained).

Granting Access to Student Academic or Financial Record

• At UMD, students have the option to grant access to their academic or financial record. The action for granting access is split into two parts.  While granting access is optional, parents/guardians will not be able to submit payment unless Financial Record Access has been granted.
  • Academic Record Access: See Parent/Guardian Access. 
  • Financial Record Access: See Information for Parents and Guardians.

Optional Step: Accommodations

The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals to ensure equal access to UMD-sponsored services, programs, and activities. Unless a student has registered with Accessibility and Disability Service, the instructor may not grant an accommodation even if the student has documentation showing that a similar accommodation was granted in their school system.

• Submit the request with UMD's Accessibility and Disability Service.
• Requests must be submitted by June 1. Appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grade and Credits Policy

Students in Terp Scholars are admitted as non-degree seeking students to the University of Maryland for the Summer Session. Students are registered for one three-credit university course for which a grade and credits will be earned. The University uses plus/minus grading. The course cannot be taken pass-fail or audit. The grade and credits earned post to the official UMD transcript and are part of the student's academic record. If admitted to the University of Maryland as an undergraduate student in the future, the grade will be included in the cumulative GPA calculation.

Attendance Policy

Students in Terp Scholars must attend the program in its entirety. Students are not permitted to miss class time, including arriving late and/or leaving early. Anyone who has an obligation such as employment, club sport, travel, or similar commitment should consider whether this will interfere with program requirements. Lack of course attendance can lead to program dismissal or lead to a poor grade posting on the student’s transcript.

Student Conduct and Academic Integrity

Students in Terp Scholars are admitted to UMD as non-degree seeking students for the Summer Session and are subject to UMD and program policies and regulations. Violation of any part of these codes is subject to immediate dismissal from the program. 

• See Code of Student Conduct
• See Code of Academic Integrity

Recorded Video Consent

Online synchronous course meetings may be recorded. When sessions are being recorded instructors will verbally announce the recording. Recorded material will be accessible to and only used by students enrolled in that course via the secure UMD electronic learning management system (ELMS) page. ELMS is used to organize teaching and learning and delivers online course content through easy-to-use web-based technology that enables learning in an engaging, interactive environment.

• Recorded material is designed to assist students with studying and accessibility and disability accommodation. 
• Students who participate with their camera engaged or utilize a profile image are consenting to have their video or image recorded. If a student is unwilling to consent to have their profile or video image recorded, it is the student's responsibility to turn the camera off and/or remove any profile image when recording is announced.
• Likewise, students who un-mute during recorded class sessions and participate orally are consenting to have their voices recorded. If a student is not willing to consent to have their voice recorded during class, they need to keep mute activated and communicate exclusively using the "chat" feature.
• Note: Not every course will utilize recording. In addition, due to course content a select number of courses require students to use their webcam at all times, even while recording.

Overview

All students are required to participate in the Terp Scholars Virtual Orientation. The program uses Zoom—a web conferencing tool to deliver the virtual orientation. To participate, students must first complete the Confirmation of Admission Process. Access to the orientation link will be sent via email to the student and parent/guardian approximately one week before the date.

The orientation includes overall program information, review of policies and procedures, and time for questions and answers.

Orientation will be recorded. Following the event, the recording will be sent via email to all registered students and parents.

Drop in and chat with program staff to get any last-minute questions answered before TYS starts next week.  Access to the Drop-In Q&A session will be sent via email to the student and parent/guardian approximately one week before the date. This session will not be recorded.

Courses may or may not require a textbook. Textbook requirements are posted by the instructor at least three weeks prior to the course start date. All students are responsible for obtaining their own course materials. Textbooks may be purchased from any textbook store or online vendor. Textbook costs are not included in the online program package fee. Students are responsible for books they purchase or rent from any vendor.

To determine whether the course requires a textbook: 

1. Visit: Testudo.
2. Select Schedule of Classes.
3. Select Summer Session.
4. Select Course Listing.
5. Select the course/department acronym (e.g. PSYC for Psychology).
6. Find the course registered with the section number of "YW41" or "YW42."
7. Select Books.

Independence and time management are key aspects of university life. Students are responsible for attending class, productively managing their time, completing coursework, and seeking academic support from course instructors, teaching assistants and program staff as needed.

Set Up Zoom

In addition to receiving a link from the instructor for using Zoom for all course-related activities, all students are assigned a Zoom Pro account to host Zoom meetings external to their course.

• After the confirmation of admission process, use the Directory ID and password to access Zoom. 
• Virtual Backgrounds: Zoom includes a virtual background feature that allows users to display an image as their background during virtual meetings. When utilizing Zoom for online learning, students are encouraged to utilize a virtual background. For a selection of UMD scenes to add Maryland pride to virtual meetings, visit UMD Video Conferencing Backgrounds. Terp Scholars can also upload their own classroom appropriate images as their virtual background.

Accessing Online Content

ELMS (Electronic Learning Management System) is the online environment that supports online learning at UMD. 

• Log In to Access Online Content 
• The course instructor must first load the online content into ELMS. 
• This may not occur earlier than 24-48 hours prior to the course start date. Some instructors may wait until the first day of class.
• Only students who are registered and on the official class list can access the content.
• ELMS-Canvas Notification Settings: Ensure that these settings are set to provide alerts about new announcements, content, or assignment postings by the instructor.

Update Personal Information

Good Practice Guide: Names and Pronouns. 

Adding Pronouns in ELMS

1. Visit ELMS.
2. Log into ELMS.
3. Select Account.
4. Select Settings.
5. On the right-hand menu, select Edit Settings.
6. Select Pronouns from the Pronouns drop down menu.

Adding Name Pronunciation in ELMS

1. Visit ELMS.
2. Log into ELMS.
3. Select Namecoach.
4. Add a recording of name.
5. Select Edit this recording.
6. Add a phonetic spelling of name.

ELMS 

The Terp Scholars Online Option is designed to introduce students to rigorous college-level coursework. The virtual classroom is a dynamic space. UMD maintains an electronic learning management system (ELMS) used to organize teaching. ELMS delivers online course content through easy-to-use web-based technology that enables learning in an engaging, interactive environment. To be successful in the online program, students should have access to or can fulfill the following technical requirements.

Internet Access, Minimum Connectivity

Broadband (high-speed) minimum 3G or 4G Internet connection. If there are multiple devices using Wi-Fi, it may be helpful to obtain an Ethernet cable and connect the computer directly to the internet router with the Ethernet cable.

Minimum Operation Systems

• Windows 7 and newer
• Mac OS X 10.10 and newer

Browser Information

Make sure to use most current version of the preferred browser. Note: JavaScript must be enabled to run ELMS-Canvas.

• Chrome 80 and 81
• Firefox 74 and 75 (Extended Releases are not supported*) 
• Edge 80 and 81
• Safari 12 and 13 (Macintosh only)

Learn UID

The 9-digit University Identification Number is associated with the student record and is how faculty and staff access records in any UMD system. Always include this number when communicating with faculty or staff.

• The UID is provided in the offer of admission.
• The UID may be viewed at University Directory Entry.

Online Tutorials

Terp Scholars online option is designed to introduce students to rigorous college-level coursework. The virtual classroom is a dynamic space. UMD maintains an electronic learning management system (ELMS) used to organize teaching. ELMS delivers online course content through easy to use web-based technology that enables learning in an engaging, interactive environment. It is highly recommended that students participate in the following online tutorials.

• Student Orientation to ELMS-Canvas: Self-paced online tutorial covering topics such as explaining ELMS, minimum requirements for browser/plug-in compatibility, browser security issues and recommendations, how to access the course, taking a quiz, communicating with other students, and more. 
• OSSO (Online Student Success Course): Self-paced tutorial introduces students to strategies for successfully completing an online course. Content is delivered through short videos, activities, and quizzes. 

Strategies for Success

Terp Scholars are responsible for making choices and organizing their time as part of the rigor of college-level coursework. The online option is designed for independent students who will self-advocate and actively engage with their peers. Successful Terp Scholars seek academic support from course staff, including instructors and teaching assistants, and seek program support from program mentors.

• See Tips for Online Success to make the most of online learning.
• Designated Learning Space: Prior to the start of the program, Terp Scholars should select a suitable location to engage in their online course. A student’s designated learning space will impact their own virtual learning experience, as well as that of their peers. 
• Organization: The first week of class is a time to familiarize with the course syllabus and ELMS site, organize the schedule, and introduce oneself. The course syllabus is key to organization. 
• Communication: Students benefit from each other's experiences and insights. In the online classroom, thoughtful contributions are easier, and questions can be asked via chat or by unmuting. Helping others enhances confidence and motivation. Peer communication boosts interactivity and keeps everyone connected to the course. 
• Instructors: Online courses enable instructors to engage with students and offer feedback. Contact information is available on the course syllabus or ELMS page. Office hours allow for questions, course assistance, performance follow-up, and relationship building with the instructor.

Software Packages

Popular products like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and more are available for institutional use. Software licenses are only active when registered in a course at UMD. For assistance accessing or installing software, contact UMD’s Division of Information Technology at itsupport@umd.edu.

• TERPware-PC 
• TERPware-MAC 

University Libraries

See University Libraries to access an abundance of resources. 

Anyone may refer a student, student organization, or student group suspected of violating the Terp Scholars-Online Option Code of Student Conduct. Written referrals are required. Program staff review all referrals for reasonable cause based on evidence. If found true, referrals would result in sanctioning. Retaliation against anyone for reporting an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct is strictly prohibited. Those who retaliate may be subject to disciplinary action. 

To make a referral, use the EXST contact form. Include the full name, UID, and provide a complete statement. 

The deadline for instructors to submit final grades is August 26, 2025.

• Grades are not mailed but post to a student's unofficial transcript. See Final Grades.
• The University issues an official transcript upon request. This is not an automatic process. See Transcripts.