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Professional Graduate Programs

Graduation and Diplomas

Program completion requirements are listed in the plan of study. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required to maintain good academic progress for graduation. Students are responsible for keeping track of their progress and should review their academic record to ensure accuracy. The diploma is mailed to the address posted on the student record. To update the student's information, visit Testudo.

Submission Deadlines

Graduation-related submission deadlines are posted on the Graduate School Academic Deadlines Calendar.

Complete All Steps for Graduation and Receipt of the Diploma

Step 1: Register for at least one credit in the planned semester/term of graduation.

Step 2: Apply for Graduation via Testudo.

Step 3: Submit Approved Program Form to the Academic Program Director. See The Graduate School Forms. Scroll down to Graduation Forms and select Approved Program Form.

Step 4: Submit a Degree Audit from u.achieve to the Academic Program Director. For instructions, see u.achieve-help.

Timeline

  1. Academic Director: Audits each student file for program requirements and notifies students of any issues. Forwards approval to the Office of Candidate Clearance.
  2. Office of Candidate Clearance: Reviews, confirms, and grants final approval. Forwards to Diploma Office.
  3. Diploma Office: The clearance, printing, and mailing process may take up to 12 weeks to complete. See Diploma Status.

Important Notes

  • UMD does not have a winter graduation. Students who are completing their program requirements in winter should apply to graduate in the spring. Students enrolled in programs that use the 12-week term academic calendar should also note that the deadline to apply for spring graduation is BEFORE the start of spring 12-week term.
  • Students who successfully completed requirements for the Graduate Certificate may apply these credits towards the Master’s. The student must apply to the Master’s program and complete the Request for Transfer or Inclusion of Credit for the Master’s Degrees Form in order to have the earned Certificate credits count towards the Master’s. The Graduate School will not limit the number of credits transferred from the Certificate to the Master’s. See The Graduate School Forms.
  • Students may request a letter of program completion for employment purposes by contacting EXST at exst@umd.edu. Include name, UID, and provide the name, email address, and phone number of the employer. The letter will be emailed directly to the employer.
  • Students will be contacted if there are any questions relating to program requirements, continuous registration questions, time limitations, or other substantive issues.
  • If not approved, students will be contacted to resolve the issues, and the application for graduation will “roll over” to the next semester. Students must register for at least one graduate credit for graduation eligibility.

Program completion requirements are listed in the plan of study. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required to maintain good academic progress for graduation. Students are responsible for keeping track of their progress and should review their academic record to ensure accuracy. The diploma is mailed to the address posted on the student record. To update your information, visit Testudo.

Submission Deadlines

Graduation-related submission deadlines are posted on the Graduate School Academic Deadlines Calendar.

Complete All Steps for Graduation and Receipt of the Certificate

Step 1: Register for at least one credit in the planned semester/term of graduation.

Step 2: Submit Application for Graduation to the Academic Program Director. See The Graduate School Forms. Scroll down to Graduation Forms and select Application for Graduation.

Step 3: Submit Graduate Certificate Completion Form to the Academic Program Director. See The Graduate School Forms. Scroll down to Graduation Forms and select the Graduate Certificate Completion Form.

Step 4: Submit Degree Audit to your Academic Program Director. Print out a Degree Audit from u.achieve. For instructions, see u.achieve-help.

Timeline

  1. Academic Director: Audits each student file for program requirements and notifies students of any issues. Forwards final approval to the Diploma Office.
  2. Diploma Office: The clearance, printing, and mailing process may take up to 12 weeks to complete. See Diploma Status.

Important Notes

  • UMD does not have a winter graduation. Students who are completing their program requirements in winter should apply to graduate in the spring. Students enrolled in programs that use the 12-week term academic calendar should also note that the deadline to apply for spring graduation is BEFORE the start of spring 12-week term.
  • Students who successfully complete requirements for the Graduate Certificate may apply these credits towards the Master’s. The student must apply to the Master’s program and complete the Request for Transfer or Inclusion of Credit for the Master’s Degrees Form in order to have the earned Certificate credits count towards the Master’s. The Graduate School will not limit the number of credits transferred from the Certificate to the Master’s. See The Graduate School Forms.
  • Students may request a letter of program completion for employment purposes by emailing exst@umd.edu. Include name, UID, and provide the name, mailing address, and phone number of the employer. The letter will be sent via US Postal Services.
  • Students will be contacted if there are any questions relating to program requirements, continuous registration questions, time limitations, or other substantive issues.
  • If not approved, students will be contacted to resolve the issues, and the application for graduation will “roll over” to the next semester. Students must register for at least one graduate credit for graduation eligibility.

Additional Graduate Certificate

Students enrolled in a master's program or a graduate certificate program may earn an additional graduate certificate without being admitted directly into the additional certificate program. To receive an additional graduate certificate, students must first complete the required graduate certificate coursework and then submit the Graduate Certificate Completion Form to their Academic Program Director.

In addition, students must submit a Degree Audit to their Academic Program Director.

The Graduate School has advised that additional graduate certificate applications should be submitted during the academic term when students complete the additional graduate certificate course requirements. Students should not complete the coursework for their primary program (i.e., the program into which they were admitted) and then apply to graduate from their primary program and the additional graduate certificate simultaneously. The one exception to this requirement is if the student completes the requirements of both programs in the same academic term. Questions? Contact diploma@umd.edu.

After applying for graduation, visit the Commencement website for ceremony information and to order the regalia.

The University of Maryland welcomes students graduating from an online program to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Graduates are encouraged to explore the Commencement website. Commencement is not only a celebration of the graduating students’ accomplishments, but also an occasion to acknowledge the University’s joint enthusiasm for their future endeavors.

Domestic Students

  • U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and other students in the U.S. who have completed program requirements should inform their program director of their intention to participate in the commencement ceremony.
  • After applying for graduation, visit the Commencement website to order the regalia.

International Students

  • Generally, students who are not citizens of the United States must obtain a visitor visa (B1, B2, or combination) to enter the United States to participate in Commencement. There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how they are completed vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website. Graduates should indicate that they are traveling to participate in the graduation ceremony for an online program they completed abroad.
  • The University of Maryland does not provide sponsorship letters. In addition, students should inform their program director of their intention to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students must also visit the Commencement website to order the regalia.
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